How traceability and blockchain technology are helping tuna fishers maintain their livelihoods.

Technology can provide fishermen with the means to protect the identify of the fish they catch - be that for private management needs or to make public the provenance of their catch. We could learn from these Indonesian fishermen and their use of such technology - especially for the inshore and Under10m sector in providing buyers and consumers with a high level of traceability. The same technology could also be used to arm specific fisheries with the data needed to prove sustainability and ensure stock assessment and management.

Jafar’s story - learn how traceability and blockchain technology are helping tuna fishers maintain their livelihoods.

Meet Jafar. Most days, in the very early hours of the morning – well before dawn – Jafar sets off in his small boat from the nearby beach on Seram Island, Indonesia, to catch yellowfin tuna. Jafar Like other local fishers, he uses the one-by-one handline method – considered one of the most environmentally responsible ways of catching these highly-prized fish. And today, thanks to the full traceability of his catch, enabled through TraceTales and SAP Blockchain technology, his tuna is in high demand. Moreover, being able to prove where and how his fish was caught puts Jafar, his fellow fishers, and also their fishery on a much more sustainable footing in the long term. 

Before there was TraceTales and blockchain 

It was sometimes hard for fishers like Jafar to prove that the tuna they were catching was indeed from an environmentally and socially responsible fishery. Most handliners fish in small groups alone, and are usually out at sea all day. Even though they were catching some beautiful yellowfin, they couldn’t prove its origins because they didn’t have the traceability tools. The fishers knew the tuna companies, the companies knew them, but there wasn’t sufficient verified evidence of where the tuna came from and how it was caught. 

Buyers can now be certain that Jafar’s tuna is safe to eat

Jafar still continues to go out fishing just as before, but his trip and catch are now much more visible. This is where the value is. Once his tuna catch is received at the processing plant, that specific sourcing information is recorded through Trace Tales, a software developed by MDPI and USAID OCEANS. © Anova© Anova The fish is then processed and tagged with a QR Code label which contains details about when, where, and how the fish was caught, as well as who caught it. That information is stored in the cloud and enters a secure blockchain. Afterwards, a laboratory takes samples to confirm that the tuna is safe to eat, and this data is also uploaded to the blockchain. This in turn makes details about Jafar’s fish instantly available to restaurants and retailers in the United States. 

But that’s not the end of it. 

Jafar’s fish are then taken to the finishing plant for final processing and preparation before being shipped to market. Every single piece is tracked right the way through to the consumers by connecting TraceTales data into blockchain. The actual people who end up buying and eating his tuna – in places like New York, Washington and Los Angeles – can now learn that it was Jafar who caught their tuna, and whereabouts in Indonesia it came from. Jafar’s family’s future is a lot more secure Essentially, this is because of the value of traceability in meeting import regulations and market requirements, as well as in differentiating his catch in the marketplace. Jafar is very proud to be a fisherman, but fishing is a difficult and sometimes dangerous way to make a living. 

Now though, blockchain is helping him and his neighbours to maintain their fishing future by securing access to the more lucrative export market. Through traceability (including blockchain), they are now much better placed to continue to catch Indonesian yellowfin for many generations to come. Jafar is proud that his story is being shared with the world Major seafood markets like the United States and Europe want transparency, traceability and sustainability. Through blockchain, Jafar is now part of this landscape – making sure that handline Indonesian tuna can be enjoyed all over the world! At the same time, and looking at it from the market perspective, buyers and consumers can take great comfort in the knowledge that Jafar and other local fishers can make a sustainable living from the job that they want to do, while also preserving local culture and traditions.

Full story courtesy of IPNLF.

Watch Jafar’s story here: FROM OCEAN TO TABLE: Your Food. Brought To You By Blockchain © MDPI© MDPI 

Anova - SAP Block Chain from Anova Food, LLC on Vimeo.

EU is prepared to drop its "maximalist" approach to fisheries

Tony Connelly reports on the sector which is proving a key stumbling block in the future relationship negotiations (remember, the EU has said if there's no fisheries deal, there's no free trade deal. Tony is RTÉ's European Editor.

Here is his Twitter thread on the matter in full:

1/ The issue is over the UK's insistence that the methodology known as Zonal Attachment should replace the existing quota share out system, known as Relative Stability...

2/ Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, is holding a video conference with the fish ministers of the Group of Eight fishing member states, including Ireland. Lithuania, Poland and Portugal will join...

3/ My understanding is that EU fish ministers will bluntly tell Mr Barnier that he must stick to the mandate which member states gave him at the outset, namely that EU vessels should continue to enjoy the same access to UK waters as they did under the Common Fisheries Policy...

4/ As a reminder, the EU's negotiating mandate says the final deal should “build on existing reciprocal access conditions, [and] quota shares…” and that there should be “continued reciprocal access, for all relevant species, by [European] Union and United Kingdom vessels"…

5/ On May 15, Barnier told a news conference there had been some movement on fisheries. Zonal Attachment was "one element" in a possible solution, he said, but not the "only element". Some saw this as a signal the EU was going to compromise on the issue...

6/ Zonal Attachment is devilishly complicated, but it basically means using deeper data to work out where fish species live, breed, spawn etc. Essentially, the UK believes that that methodology would rightfully restore much more quota to UK vessels in British waters...

7/ Some member states regard this as a "quota grab" dressed up as science. Zonal Attachment, says one source, is at play in the EU's ongoing discussions with independent coastal states (which the UK will become) over mackerel, but it is taking years...

8/ Furthermore, says the source, the science isn't there to provide the kind of data the UK is referring to, and that in any case, the EU and UK share over 100 stocks. So if it has taken years for mackerel, then imagine how long it will take for an entire fishing deal...

9/ However, the UK is insisting on it...
10/ It's understood that in the interim between Barnier's tentative offer on May 15, the mood among member states has hardened, not least because of David Frost's letter of May 19, seen by many has combative...

11/ It's worth remembering that EU member states largely accepted the draft negotiating mandate drawn up by the European Commission in January. However, they made the language on fisheries tougher - something I'm told they will remind the EU's chief negotiator this afternoon...

12/ Adding to the pressure, the European Parliament Fisheries Committee has adopted a resolution "no comprehensive agreement can be concluded between the EU and the UK if it does not include a complete, balanced and long-term fisheries agreement...

13/ "allowing the continuation under optimal conditions of access to waters, resources and markets of the parties concerned"...

Tony is RTÉ's European Editor and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin look at what Brexit business is squeezed into the EU Summit in Brussels - listen here they present a series of podcasts on Brexit from an Irish perspective.

EU ready to ease fisheries demands in Brexit talks .

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union is willing to shift its stance on fisheries in negotiations with Britain next week, sources said, in what would be the first major concession from the bloc in talks with London on their relationship after Brexit.

Fishing is politically sensitive for France and the 27-nation bloc says it would not seal a new trade deal with Britain without a stable agreement.

Currently, fishing mostly takes place in UK waters and most of the catch goes to EU fishermen.

Britain wants to unwind that after Brexit materialises next year, saying it would become an independent coastal state and wants to be in control of its waters and fish.

But the EU has so far sought to keep the status quo, a demand an official with the bloc described as a “maximalist” starting point of negotiations.

“There have been hints of a possible reconciliation of approaches,” the official said ahead of another round of EU-UK talks next week.

“We would be looking to shift on demands to keep everything as is now, a somewhat maximalist opening position, if the UK also moved from its position of coastal attachment. That’s where the room for compromise lies.”

An EU diplomat following Brexit also said the bloc wants to seek a potential compromise on fisheries in talks next week.

“Our opening line of keeping the current terms is impossible to uphold,” the person said. “That is clearly unattainable so we’d be looking to some narrowing of the positions.”

Fisheries have been one of the key stumbling blocs in talks on a new partnership between the EU and Britain, which left the bloc earlier this year and is now in a status-quo transition until end-2020 to allow for talks on a new deal.

With fundamental differences between the bloc and London, negotiators have struggled to make headway in video conferencing mode amidst coronavirus lockdowns barring physical meetings.

The talks have made precious little progress so far and the EU has warned of a stalemate unless there is new momentum next week.

Full story courtesy of Gabriela Baczynska from Reuters.

French artisanal fishermen want the same as Looe fishermen - a licence to fish for bue-fin tuna.

Translated by Google from an article on the Small French artisanal fishing platform website:

Franck Romagosa is a fisherman with small trades in Saint Cyprien , on the PETIT DAMIEN, a speedboat of 9 meters. Franck has been fighting for 7 years to obtain a bluefin tuna AEP (European Fishing Authorization). Franck does not ask for the moon: according to him, one tonne of quota per year for small trades would be sufficient: “One tonne per year means that you can fish on average 1 tuna per week . With one tuna per week, sold locally, you can generate € 35,000 per year, which will allow you to employ a sailor and therefore generate local employment. In addition, by fishing bluefin tuna, you reduce the pressure on other fish species ”

Despite his fight, Franck has still not obtained a bluefin tuna AEP. The issuance of new DWS is limited to a few dozen per year for several hundred requests . The candidates are handpicked ... Thus, the criteria of the size of his boat, the first installation or the age of the captain are all priority conditions for obtaining the precious sesame. One year before retirement, needless to say that Franck is rather poorly classified to be a winner ... He denounces an award system which is not transparent, even discriminating against the oldest fishermen: “In fact, as I am close to retirement, they do not want to give me EAF, while some who are already retired keep their EAF. It is a fairly opaque system and the best way to have quota ... is the piston!" The union of fishermen small trades of Occitanie (SPMO) of which it is a member wishes to review the criteria of delivery of the AEP in order to give a chance to the oldest who renew their requests each year for sometimes more than 10 years… without success. The SPMO also denounces the hijackings of the system which allow the same shipowner to hold several EPAs under the names of different companies and entrusted to young priority managers.

Other fishermen with small trades also point out the aberrations of the system: "The bluefin tuna caught by purse seiners with the French quota will never arrive on the French market: everything is sold in Japan!" And before that the tuna are fattened in cages in the south of Spain, with blue fish caught by giant trawlers off the African coast or the North Sea. During this time the French consumer eats tropical tuna which we will loot off the Seychelles . It is a series of injustices for local artisanal fishermen" The bluefin tuna industry, which represents a considerable economic windfall for around twenty vessels, contributes absolutely nothing to the local economy, apart from a few seafaring jobs a month a year, during the fishing season!!

However, as all artisanal fishermen say, bluefin tuna would be a real gift for the local economy : "A bluefin tuna sold in slices at the stall or in short circuits , it allowed people to know about a magnificent product, revitalise many businesses, and that would save some struggling fishing businesses. ”Tuna is found everywhere, closer to the coast, in concentrations never seen before. It is there, there is only to bend down to fish it , but it is prohibited for Franck and for the great majority of small trades, lack of AEP in sufficient number and too high a concentration of quotas.

“We would fish tunas one by one, with rod , by releasing those which are too small, and by preserving the resource. But instead we prefer to fatten billionaires by giving them thousands of tonnes of quota”. Indeed, for several years, the owners of industrial tuna vessels which already hold 90% of the French quota, in particular by having pre-empted the quotas allocated to the small trades segment , have been offered hundreds of additional tonnes "thanks" to the prior art system catch: those who fished the most in reference years are those who obtain the most quota, an inequitable distribution system, which gives the premium to manufacturers at the expense of artisanal fishermen.

Franck can't help but be nostalgic for the time when he fished bluefin tuna with his father, "at a time when the tuna was not fattened in cages but landed on the quay, and where the local economy benefited of this gift given by the sea”. Times have changed, but fighting the injustices done to artisanal fishermen remains a priority and the fight of small trades for bluefin tuna is not yet over…

UK fishing fleet’s ability to respond to challenges showcased in latest Quay Issues magazine

New edition of Seafish publication highlights UK fishing industry’s spirit in finding new ways to thrive.

The entrepreneurial spirit of the UK’s fishing fleet and the innovative solutions it is finding to everyday challenges are showcased in latest edition of Quay Issues magazine.

The sixth edition of the award winning annual magazine from Seafish, the public body that supports the £10bn UK seafood industry, tells the stories behind the statistics of the UK fleet survey. Spanning the country from the Cornish coast to the Orkney Islands, stories featuring in the latest issue are:

• A Fisheries REAFitalisation – Details of a project to regenerate East Anglian fisheries which could potentially provide a blueprint for other coastal communities.
• Waste Not, Want Not – Most end-of-life fishing gear ends up in landfill, with fishermen picking up the bill through their harbour dues, but is there a more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solution? 
• Natural Selection – How selectivity trials in Orkney could help shellfish fishermen comply with minimum landing sizes and save time sorting their catch.
• Carbon-Free Future? – What part can the fishing industry play in helping the UK to meet its decarbonisation goals?
• Taking Action Now – Practical ways to improve fishing vessel fuel efficiency.
• The Unsung Army – Exploring the vital yet often invisible role that women play in the catching sector
• One Man and His Boat – Meet Dunbar fishermen Barry Brunton who has found an online audience for his latest business venture.
• Beyond the Big 5 – A look at how one Plymouth business is finding markets for locally caught but less popular species.

Quay Issues is informed by Seafish’s annual survey of the UK fishing fleet with the latest edition’s stories coming from the summer 2019 survey. Normally conducted by field researchers visiting hundreds of ports across the country, Seafish is currently exploring options as to how this year’s survey can take place safely and effectively. 

Kirsten Milliken, Quay Issues Editor and Economics Project Manager at Seafish said: “We could never have predicted the current circumstances of a pandemic while we were putting together this edition of the magazine. We know how difficult things are for fishermen at the moment but we hope that the stories in the latest Quay Issues will be a heartening reminder of the fishing industry’s spirit in finding new ways to thrive. 

“Right now it’s more important than ever that we can give a full picture of the UK fishing fleet and the economic and social circumstances of those working within it. We are looking at alternative methods of data collection for this year’s fleet survey to ensure that we can continue to collate this essential information to inform both industry and government.”

Read our latest edition of Quay Issues

Printed copies will be available as soon as distribution channels allow.

To request a printed copy, email quayissues@seafish.co.uk

21 May 2020  |  Insight & Research

UK Government Publishes Draft Fisheries Framework Agreement.

The UK Government has published its Draft Fisheries Framework Agreement paper that it presented to the EU negotiators last week.

The paper was presented to EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier and his team by his UK colleague, David Frost.

The Draft Fisheries Framework Agreement Agreement outlines the future relationship the UK would like to see implemented between the two blocs.

Last week the UK Chief Negotiator said that there had been a good discussion between the two talks teams on the fisheries paper but yet they remain at odds over an agreement as the UK refuses to discuss fisheries as part of any Trade agreement between the two blocs.

Having a summary look at the Fisheries Framework Agreement Paper the main points of the discussion are as follows.

Article 2 of the Draft Negotiating Document calls for Annual Negotiations on Fishing Opportunities and Access.

On this issue, the EU where they would like to have a set agreement in place rather than coming back every year to negotiate total allowable catches and access to their fleet.

The UK believe that as an Independent Coastal State the EU must annually renew: (a) fishing opportunities, taking into account the best scientific evidence available to the Parties, the ICES-recommended TAC, the interdependence of stocks, the work of appropriate international organisations, socio-economic aspects and other relevant factors; (b) the amount of fishing opportunities mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) above that will be available to each Party, based on the principle of zonal attachment; and (c) any access for each Party’s vessels to relevant waters of the other Party for fishing.

Article 3 – Authorisations, Compliance and Enforcement would require all vessels including EU fishing vessels that are granted licences to fish in UK waters to comply with the rules and regulations as outlined by the UK.

Articles 4 – Fisheries Management would implement the policy that each bloc (the UK and the EU) would manage its own fisheries independently and notify the other party of any significant new fisheries management measures or changes to existing measures that would affect the other bloc’s fishing vessels.

This would mean the EU would have no interference in the decisions the UK takes in managing fish stocks, TAC’s and the number of fishing vessels allowed in their water. The same would work the other way for the UK having a say in EU marine matters.

Article 5 – Co-operation The Draft Negotiating Document allows for the setting-up and running of a Fisheries Co-operation Forum for discussion and co-operation in relation to sustainable fisheries management, including monitoring, control and enforcement.

Article 6 – Data Sharing The Parties would have to agree to share vessel monitoring systems data relating to their respective vessels and information to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (“IUU”) fishing.

In addition to the listed above, it will be data shared, for the purposes of: (a) monitoring, controlling and enforcing compliance with applicable rules and regulations (including licence conditions); (b) monitoring the use of fishing opportunities; (c) managing sea fisheries sustainably; (d) developing marine and fisheries policies; (e) preventing, deterring and eliminating IUU fishing; and (f) any other purpose related to the implementation of this Agreement or any access arrangements made under it.

Article 7 – Designation of ports The Parties will each have to ensure that, by 1 January 2021, the ports listed as designated ports to this Agreement have been designated in accordance with: (a) Article 21 of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission’s Scheme of Control and Enforcement; and (b) any provision of UK or EU law relating to the prevention, deterrence or elimination of IUU fishing.

The Parties shall consult each other in advance if they wish to designate additional ports, have additional ports designated, or remove the designation of a port listed.

Article 8 – Consultation and Dispute Resolution The Parties agree to consult on questions relating to the implementation and proper functioning of this Agreement, or in the event of a dispute concerning the interpretation or application thereof.

Article 9 – Suspension allows for the suspension of the agreement on the initiative of either of the Parties in the event of: (a) a dispute arising between the Parties over the interpretation or application of this Agreement or its implementation; or (b) failure by either of the Parties to comply with the provisions of this Agreement.

The suspension of the Agreement shall be notified in writing by the Party concerned and the suspension will take effect three months after receipt of the notification.

The Parties shall consult each other from the moment of notification of suspension with a view to finding an amicable settlement to their dispute within three months. Where such settlement is reached, implementation of this Agreement shall resume.

Article 10 – Amendments Either party may request from the other party for an amendment to the Agreement. This will be carried out by the exchange of diplomatic notes

Article 11 – Law of the Sea states that the law of the sea will not be affected by this agreement.

Article 12 – Entry into Force, Application and Termination states that each Party shall notify the other Party in writing through diplomatic channels of the completion of its domestic requirements for entry into force of this Agreement. This Agreement will enter into force on a date to be mutually agreed and specified in these notifications.

Click here to read the full text of the Draft Fisheries Framework Agreement.

NFFO – COVID-19 Safe Fishing: Adapting to the New Conditions

Social distancing at sea....

The NFFO examines the issues for the fishing industry post COVID-19 lockdown

The National Federation Of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) examines adapting to the new conditions facing the UK fishing industry as boats get back to work post COVID-19 lockdown.

One of the concerns facing skippers and fishers alike is social-distancing onboard fishing vessels which can be a complex affair depending on the size of the vessel and what type of fishing is being undertaken.

In one aspect, a fishing boat is a secure space away from the public but it has also been witnessed that a fishing vessel can be a space where COVID-19 can spread quickly, especially on vessels that are working long-distance trips.

The NFFO explores the future of fisheries management in the post COVID-19 lockdown and writes:

Some parts of the UK fleet have been able to fish on through the coronavirus emergency, bringing food to tables during a time when the crisis was at its worst. Other vessels have seen their markets disappear completely and have had no option but to tie up. Whatever their current situation, vessels going back to sea or continuing to fish, will face a new set of challenges relating to how they might operate in a world in which a second surge in the pandemic is an ongoing threat.

In terms of managing risk, fishing has some advantages – in particular, low levels of contact with the public. In some respects, fishing vessels can be considered as sealed workplaces. But fishing also presents some challenges – physical distancing in the confined spaces on fishing vessels being uppermost.

The wide variety of sizes, shapes and operations of fishing vessels do not lend themselves to one-size-fits-all guidance. The present government guidance contains useful practical suggestions and broad principles but is set at a very general level. Boats and ships aren’t mentioned specifically and outdoor working and working from vehicles provide the closest parallels.

At the same time, we know that parts of the industry have developed their own guidance on how to operate safely, within the context of continuing risk from the Covid virus and have ideas about how this guidance could be further developed to make it relevant and practical. Fishermen know their vessels and operations better than anyone so capturing and sharing that knowledge is an urgent priority. For that reason, the NFFO has instigated a telephone and online survey to quickly collect ideas from our members on good practice already in place or being developed. This will then be shared across the industry and will be used to inform government guidance through a Defra working group that has been established for that purpose.

The key to operating safely will be the risk assessment that each skipper/owner must undertake to ensure that his vessel is operating safely.

Risk assessments are already well established but taking Covid-related risks into account is the new factor. What works for one vessel, won’t necessarily be the answer in another but the aim is to provide each skipper/owner with the options to find his own course.

Our hope is that by asking fishermen for their views we, collectively, will be able to produce a useful check-list that will help to inform each vessel operator what works in terms of providing Covid security for his vessel.

The telephone survey will of necessity be quick and will depend on sampling each vessel category. If you have any novel ideas on how a vessel can operate Covid safely please share that knowledge by emailing nffo@nffo.org.uk

Source: NFFO