How fish stocks will change in warming seas

 

New research out today highlights the future effects of climate change on important fish stocks for south-west UK fisheries. 

 

The study, which generated future projections of climate impacts on fish in a rapidly warming sea region, suggests changes in the availability and catchability of commercially important Atlantic fish species including Atlantic cod, Dover sole, monkfish and lemon sole. This could have implications for fisheries management, and future fish diets of the British public.

The Celtic Sea, English Channel and southern North Sea have experienced significant warming over the past 40 years and further increases in sea temperatures are expected over the coming decades. Projecting future changes can help prepare the fishing industry and management systems for resulting ecological, social and economic effects.

The study involved researchers from the University of Exeter, the University of Bristol, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Met Office Hadley Centre. They used computer models to look at how fish abundances may alter by 2090 under a range of future climates. This provided opportunities to not only understand future trends, but how these trends might differ depending on the amount of warming in these seas.



Main findings from the study include:

Projections suggest increases in abundance of warm-adapted species red mullet, Dover sole, John dory and lemon sole, and decreases in abundance of cold-adapted species Atlantic cod, monkfish and megrim. These changes will challenge current fisheries management systems, with implications for decisions on future fishing mortality rates, fishing effort and allowable catches. For example, declining species may need further measures to reduce their vulnerability to further warming temperatures.

Increasingly flexible and adaptive management approaches are required that reduce climate impacts on fish species while also facilitating industry adaptation. Importantly, the results indicate implications not only for the wider ecosystem (e.g. predator prey dynamics or community composition) but that the fishing industry and management systems will likely have to adjust their operations to address these changes. British consumers may need to also adapt their diets into the future to eat species that could benefit under future warming, such as the warm-water species red mullet, Dover sole, john dory and squid.

Lead author Dr Katherine Maltby, who undertook the research while at Cefas, said: “Our results show that climate change will continue to affect fish stocks within this sea region into the future, presenting both potential risks but some opportunities that fishers will likely have to adapt to. Consumers can help fishers take advantage of these fishing opportunities by seeking out other fish species to eat and enjoy.”

Co-author Louise Rutterford, from University of Exeter, said: “We know from working with fishers that warmer water species are appearing in catches more. Bringing together their ‘on-the-ground’ experiences with studies like ours will help inform future management decisions that enable sustainable exploitation while supporting fishers’ adaptation.”

The paper, entitled ‘Projected impacts of warming seas on commercially fished species at a biogeographic boundary of the European continental shelf’ was published in the Journal of Applied Ecology.

Date: 10 August 2020

Trailblazing a pathway for young careers at sea.

In light of International Youth Day, Episode 22 of the Fathom Podcast revisits the CFPO’s development of the first ever Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship Standard together with members of its Youth Board, and explores how young people can be encouraged to start a career in fishing.

The world can be a daunting and uncertain place for young people leaving school. For those with hands-on skills, the education system in the UK often feels geared toward academia and university, offering little vocational support for those seeking practical careers such as fishing.

Meanwhile, the fishing industry is experiencing a dearth of young entrants: the average age of a fisherman is 57. A multitude of barriers, practical, financial, and cultural, limit young people’s opportunities at sea. However, as podcast host Paul Trebilcock says, ‘the future of fishing is dependent on young people coming through and taking over. Without that next generation of skippers the future won’t be great. But hearing the enthusiasm from the work we’re doing on this apprenticeship scheme, the future looks bright.’

In September of 2019 the CFPO, with help from its Youth Board and with funding support from The Fishmongers’ Company, began working alongside the Institute for Apprenticeships to develop the first ever Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship Standard. 

Fishing careers have traditionally been handed down through generations, but as the world moves away from professions rooted in family and birthplace, and leaving school at 16 is no longer an option, more structured, formalised career pathways become necessary. The 18-month apprenticeship represents a step-change for the industry by carving out a clear entry point for young people to begin a fishing career. 

 

The latest episode of Fathom podcast revisits the apprenticeship to explore the latest updates as they unfold. The apprenticeship standard is being designed by young and prospective fishermen, with the guidance and expertise of experienced skippers and vessel owners. Regular workshops provided a platform in which the forward-looking Youth Board could share their concerns and aspirations, whilst older skippers could share knowledge born from years at sea.

This organic, collaborative, and on-the-ground process, ensures the standard is rooted in the needs of fishermen, rather than handed to the industry top-down. ‘It’s really coming from the industry. It’s exactly what the skippers want, what the vessel owners want. We’re building people here who are going to take the industry forward,’ says podcast host Chris Ranford. 

Now well beyond the halfway mark, the Youth Board are currently developing an end point assessment. The episode also features an interview with two young successful fishermen, Brax and Joel, who share their stories and thoughts on fishing as a young person. Brax has worked his way up to be a vessel owner. When asked about the apprenticeship and whether it will help young people enter the fishing industry, Brax said, ‘without a doubt. It’s going to be structured properly, seen as a proper career. That will attract more young people.’ 

One particular challenge lies in young peoples’ perception of fishing. As the podcast hosts discuss, despite the immense value of fishing to Newlyn, few surrounding schools include fishing in their career advice. The hope is that the apprenticeship will engender a sense of pride in fishing, encouraging a new generation of skilled, professional, homegrown fishermen.

In a sea drowning in ignorance and thoughtlessness a Fisherman's speaks of reason and humanity.

 

This fisherman opened up about helping migrants stuck in the Channel, telling LBC that sending them back to France isn't the answer.

As the number of migrants crossing the English Channel makes it to the headlines once again, Kent fisherman David phoned Matt Stadlen to set the record straight on the motivations of these people.

He reminded Matt that the UK is "a melting pot of different people," which he values immensely, as he excitedly began the conversation by stating that he was on his way to Spitalfields Market to buy fruit.

David's first experience with migrants in the Channel was last May, when he "picked up a 10 foot rubber dinghy," carrying what he assumed to be three different families.

"It was one of the most moving things that's ever happened to me in my life, seeing the fear in these kids' eyes," he stated. He went on to tell Matt that the mothers told him that they came from Iraq and chose the UK because they could speak English.

The mothers told David "there was no future for their kids," in Iraq, and because life is cheap in the country they willingly took the risk of sailing one of the busiest shipping routes in the world in a rubber dinghy.

This wasn't an isolated case for David. "We picked up four or five cases," in the past year he noted.

He admitted that he didn't take the migrants on board his ship. "If the boat went down we'd have saved them so we stayed alongside until the lifeboat came," which was nearly 90 minutes that he spent in conversation with these people.

The fisherman argued that "if you sort the reason out why these people are coming, then they won't come," making the case for the UK to try stabilise these war-torn countries, which will end the need for migration.

"They're coming to better the lives of their children."

"We've got to stop the reason they're coming," David concluded, "then we've got half a chance of controlling it."

Full story courtesy of LBC Radio.

Cornwall Good Seafood Guide does Ben and Chris during Covid-19.

 

The recent COVID lockdown caused huge disruptions to the whole fishing industry supply chain. Through the closure of restaurants, markets and exports overnight many were forced to adapt quickly or tie-up.

This film gives you the chance to meet some of the Cornish fisherman and women that have sustainability at the heart of their fishing and hear their stories of how COVID pandemic affected their trade.

The small-scale industry has seen huge support from the local Cornish public, in which they have been able to reconnect with their local seafood. We love to see this shorter supply chain and hope to see this to be our ’new normal’, so we urge you to continue to support your local fisherman, fishmonger and merchant! 🎣

Special thanks to @carrick_roads for this brilliant production and all the members of the Cornish industry that told us their stories - @benlowecrabbing, @porthilly_shellfish, @amityseafood, @theoysterlady and Barry Preston! 🐟 🦀

‘Calm before the storm’ for UK fishing fleet as 2019 economic estimates published

The first economic performance estimates for the UK fishing fleet in 2019 have been published today by Seafish, the public body that supports the £10bn UK seafood industry. The Fleet Economic Performance data is based on preliminary landings data for 2019 and the results of Seafish’s 2019 fleet survey.

The UK fleet saw a decrease in fishing revenues to £980 million in 2019, compared to £1,025 million in 2018. 

There was a notable reduction in the weight of landings which decreased by 12% from 700,170 tonnes in 2018 to 619,553 tonnes in 2019. Half of this decrease is associated with the reduction of mackerel fishing opportunities. The rest is driven by lower herring and blue whiting landings.

While the average price per tonne landed increased to £1,582 (8% higher than in 2018) this was in part due to the change in composition of landings by the UK fleet. Lower priced small pelagic species as a share of total UK fleet landings by weight decreased from 55% in 2018 to 50% in 2019. At the same time, and due to reduction of supply, the average price per tonne of pelagic species increased by 10%. The average price per tonne for demersal species remained stable and shellfish species saw a decrease of 3%.

Fuel costs fell in 2019, with prices between 46.9 and 53.4 pence per litre during the course of the year. This was lower than the peak of 56.8 pence per litre in October 2018. Estimated total spend on marine fuel in 2019 fell to £132 million (7% less than in 2018). Although this has been relatively stable when taken as a proportion of total income (14% in 2018 and 13% in 2019).

At an estimated £240 million in 2019, total operating profit was largely unchanged (down 1% compared to 2018’s £243 million). This represented 24% of total income in 2019.

There were 4,491 active fishing vessels in the UK fleet in 2019 (a small decrease compared from 4,590 in the previous year). 1,524 of these were ‘low activity vessels’ with fishing income of less than £10,000.

Commenting on the results Arina Motova, Chief Economist at Seafish said:

“This data from 2019 shows how the UK’s fishing fleet was positioned just before having to deal with a major shock to the system. It represents ‘the calm before the storm’ that Covid-19 would bring just months later.

“The consequences of the global pandemic will continue to be felt throughout the seafood supply chain. Fishing businesses will continue to face them as they navigate through the challenges and opportunities ahead as the UK leaves the Common Fisheries Policy and develops a new trading relationship with the EU.”

“While estimated overall economic performance in 2019 did not vary greatly from the previous year, these figures represent an overall picture averaged across the fleet. The picture will vary for individual businesses and some types of vessels will find themselves in a challenging position. For example, these preliminary figures show that the economic performance of North Sea beam trawlers has been significantly affected. These vessels were facing average reductions in revenues of 30-50%.”

Seafish will begin the 2020 Fleet Survey later this month. The annual survey is usually conducted by a team of researchers visiting hundreds of ports and harbours across the UK. Data collection methods have changed due to Covid-19 impacts, and a mix of postal, online and telephone methods will be used instead. As well as the usual questions on economic performance, vessel owners will be asked about the impact of Covid-19 and any adaptations they made to their business. They will also have a chance to provide information on which Government support measures they accessed and how effective they proved for their business.

The full Seafish Fleet Economic performance dataset for 2009 to 2019 can be accessed here. It gives more detail on the overall picture and broken down into different segments of the fleet. A full report and updated dataset will be published later in the year.

Marine ecologist and marine biologist Bryce Stewart's view of Covid-19's effect on the fishing industry.

Trees A Crowd · "A Brycey Bonus": Covid and Fisheries

An excerpt from my conversation with Bryce to follow the special episode on Oyster Reefs. In this episode we discuss how British fisheries have been affected by COVID-19, and how a slight realignment on how we source fish could help support an industry and ecosystem in turmoil.

Impact of Covid-19 on UK seafood processors explored in major industry survey

29 July 2020 | Insight & Research A major survey is underway to find out the financial and socioeconomic impact of Covid-19 on the seafood processing industry in the UK and to put together a profile of the sector. Running throughout July and August, the survey is being conducted by Seafish, the public body that supports the £10bn UK seafood industry. Seafood processors are asked to provide information on how Covid-19 has affected their business and how they are responding. The survey also asks for financial data and information on operations and recruitment to determine the size and economic performance of the sector.

Commenting on the survey, Ana Witteveen, Economist at Seafish, said:

“Early returns from the survey show that, unsurprisingly, many seafood processing businesses had to reduce production or close down completely in response to covid-19 and lockdown restrictions. Sadly for some businesses the doors may never reopen, with smaller processors at particular risk of owners opting to wind down or retire early.

“However, some smaller processors have proved particularly agile in responding to the extraordinary circumstances of recent months. Businesses with small workforces or staffed by family members have been reporting that they were able to quickly implement new working methods and continue to operate throughout. Some small processors have also been able to adapt by setting up or scaling up home delivery offerings and online sales. This has offset the absence of wholesale trade, and the increased margins associated with retail has seen some businesses reporting that profits are up compared to the same period last year.

“For larger processors who may be more dependent on wholesale trade, and who have had to remodel work spaces to meet new guidance, we are tending to see a gradual return of workers, with more being brought back from furlough each week.

“These of course are only the early indications from the first businesses we have spoken to. It is clear that we are looking at a mixed and complicated landscape. We would invite all seafood processing businesses to take part in the survey to help us put together the most accurate picture we can of the sector as it weathers current challenges, adapts to new working practices and prepares for the future.”

Commenting on the survey Jimmy Buchan, Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Seafood Association (the national representative body for seafood processors in Scotland) said:

“While we know the challenges we are facing, we should never underestimate the importance of clear statistical and financial data on the sector.

“When the Scottish Government was developing the Scottish Seafood Business Resilience Fund, it was data from previous Seafish processing surveys that they turned to. This really illustrates to me that, while we can debate whether the right support has been provided, we will always be better placed to make our case to governments if we have the data to support it.”

“I would strongly encourage seafood businesses of all sizes, wherever you are in the UK, to fully engage with Seafish to complete the survey and provide the requested financial data.”

Seafish will attempt to contact all UK seafood processing businesses and invite them to take part in a short phone call, and in some cases a subsequent online survey.

The survey results are used by government to understand how the sector is impacted by changes in policy, and can also be used by the industry to highlight to government the challenges it faces and provide evidence to support this. They also inform Seafish’s own work in supporting the seafood processing sector. The 2018 survey revealed 353 sites which derive 50% or more of their annual turnover from seafood processing, supporting 19,191 full-time equivalent jobs.

Find out more about the survey and other support Seafish can offer seafood processing businesses here or contact processingenquiries@seafish.co.uk