UK’s first Wildlife Bycatch Mitigation Hub

Clean Catch UK launches the UK’s first Wildlife Bycatch Mitigation Hub Cutting edge, interactive web portal hosts information on over 65 different approaches to reduce wildlife bycatch and entanglement. The collaborative platform provides a common reference point for all stakeholders working on sensitive species bycatch, and will aid in delivering the Fisheries Act’s Ecosystem Objective.

Following the enshrinement of the Fisheries Act in law in late 2020, Clean Catch UK has announced the launch of an innovative online Hub which will support collaborative efforts to reduce wildlife bycatch in UK fisheries. The cutting-edge Bycatch Mitigation Hub hosts information on 65 different techniques or devices that aim to reduce interactions between fishing gear and various non-target, sensitive marine species. Whilst the thinking behind the Hub far predates the Fisheries Act, the Hub will support the delivery of the ‘Ecosystem Objective’ within the Act, stating that ‘incidental catches of sensitive species are minimised and, where possible, eliminated’.

Clean Catch UK is a national forum of stakeholders from across the UK Government, fishing industry, research, and NGOs, working collaboratively to reduce wildlife bycatch in UK fisheries. The programme endeavours to be inclusive, fostering trust and expert dialogue between stakeholders, whilst working in partnership with - and led by - fishing communities. Taking a holistic, three-tiered approach, the programme is made up of three groups: the National Steering Group, which focuses on bycatch policy; the Regional Working Group, who assess and interpret study data and exchange scientific expertise; and the Local Focus Group in Cornwall, where fishermen trial techniques and monitor bycatch on-the-water.

The first of its kind for the UK, the Hub brings together fishers’ insights and practical information on how to deploy the techniques, along with scientific study findings, acting as a common reference point for all stakeholders working on sensitive species bycatch.

Dale Rodmell, Assistant Chief Executive of the NFFO, stated:

“No fisherman wants wildlife bycatch and entanglement - which is not only regrettable but costly, as fishing operations can be disrupted and gear damaged. Working out the best strategies to minimise bycatch relies on the sharing of practical knowledge and experience, and applying this to the circumstances of individual fisheries. The Hub represents a critical step in our ongoing efforts to reduce wildlife bycatch, by hosting information from multiple different sources in one place, in an easy, engaging format for fishermen to explore.”

The Bycatch Mitigation Hub has been purpose-built to be easy-to-use and accessible, providing fishers, researchers and the general public with details about possible techniques and devices, in a simple, yet informative manner. The Hub is searchable by gear type - trawl, hook and line, pots and traps or nets - and species - seabirds, marine mammals, and sharks and rays - providing users with personally-tailored results. The information on each mitigation measure has been informed by a combination of peer-reviewed scientific research, international best practice guidelines, and NGO infographics, and includes case studies from fisheries around the world. With only a few of the mitigation techniques proven to be effective, and few having been studied in the UK, the Hub is a ‘starting point’ for users to get in touch with the Clean Catch UK programme and undertake further studies to inform bycatch mitigation here in the UK.

Fisheries Minister Victoria Prentis said:

“The launch of the Clean Catch UK hub will support innovative and collaborative action to reduce fisheries bycatch and entanglement.
The Fisheries Act outlines our intention to minimise and eliminate incidental catches of sensitive species, where this is possible. Alongside Clean Catch UK, we will progress this vital objective, supporting our fishing industry and helping to protect our precious marine life.”

The programme’s Local Focus Group is already studying the effect of acoustic pingers and lights in certain Cornish fisheries, the results of which will be used to update the information on the Hub. As a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, Clean Catch UK welcomes comments and additions from all users and will be continually updating the Hub to reflect new research findings and developments in technologies.

Find out more about Clean Catch UK here: https://www.cleancatchuk.com/hub/

Summer seems to be still at bay.

Gale force winds have pushed all but the hardiest boats back to port this weekend...

giving no respite in the weather for the smaller trawlers in the fleet including those visitors from Brixham...

be interesting to know the providence of this huge anchor now located by the Fishermens Rest in the Old Harbour...

which is currently the subject of superficial restoration work...

some aspects remain almost unchanged for centuries...

though these days there is just the one lugger drawn up on the beach...

the St Ives lugger Baranbas now has her masts serviced and in situ...

both Penlee lifeboats were out on exercise this morning.

in near gale conditions. Seems Spring hasn't really happened as yet.

 

Weatherbound in Newlyn.

Many but not all the fleet are currently weatherbound in Newlyn...

the usual group of French boats are dodging off Falmouth using the Lizard for a bit of cut from the SW wind and heavy seas...

yesterday's market saw just the one beam trawl trip of fish from the Trevssa IV

along with top quality turbot from the netter Ygraine...

a handful of tubs...

and just the one solitary cod...

while the Spirited Lady landed some luscious lemons...

and the New Venture managed to put ashore more boxes of ray...

John Dory are appearing across the grounds...

and haddock are always present, which is fine if you have the quota to land them...

young Dave Smith must have put in some solid hours to land this excellent shot ...

of line caught pollack...

while this just about sums up the scarcity of inshore mackerel these days...

even bass are present in greater numbers it seems, top price for mackerel was £12.00/kg last week!...

bull huss won't hit such dizzy prices though...

while these hake will make good money, and most goes for UK consumption these days...

only a handful of boats are eligible to land spurdogs - which really needs looking at as boats as far north as Scotland report having to dump catches - dumping over or nil-quota fish pays lip-service to the idea of conservation in many fishermen's eyes...

whole monk landed by the prawner, heather Sprig...

sh little beauties...

no prizes for guessing whose fish these are...

but this is her spacious working deck...

crabber Intuition puts her day's work ashore...

yet another Scottish visitor, not seining or prawning, this time the boat is a big scalloper, Evening Star from Peterhead...

Thursday morning saw the weather drastically deteriorate forcing even some of the bigger boats back to port.

 

Sunny Wednesday - make the most of it.

Back in Newlyn for the last time this Channel sole season Julie of Ladram is under command of skipper Sprat, who has that happy satisfied look on his face knowing he is about to head back home to Brixham...

then it all changes...

 as he spots the not-so-deft mending-knife work ...

of future deck boss Podge who is doing his best to cut out a myriad of mended meshes behind the fishing line of the Julie's port side beam trawl...

trawls this big require constant repair to keep them fishing and prevent elusive fish like the Dover soles they have been targeting from escaping through any broken meshes...

take one English speaking Spaniard and one Scottish crewman and the conversation is bound to become a little strained as the Heather Sprig takes a berth on the end of the Mary Williams pier to land......

young Mr Walsh in the process of taking ice...

classic gaffer at rest...

"I see no ships!" as sea trials commence for another immaculate St Ives registered punt...

the lorry has arrived for the Heather Sprig to land his prawns to...

well this guy is taking advantage of a break in the weather, though with 50-6o knot winds forecast there's no way he'll be doing this again over the next few days!

Newlyn captured on canvas.

Yet another Scottish visitor to Newlyn, this time the boat is not chasing prawns but quality whitefish like hake west of the Scillys...

the Greenock registered GK44 Acionna is a traditional Scottish seiner like the Boy Andrew in the video Last of the Hunters  uses rope reels to spool combination warp and shoot her nets from the stern...

- a far cry from the ultra-modern Dutch fly-shooters that were operating off to the southar'd last month

the classic lugger Barnabas has had her masts restored to their rightful position...

the ever-changing scene in the harbour provides local and visiting artists like Lizzie Black and Clare Bowen with a wealth of views from which to take inspiration and capture on canvas...

be it close-up studies of fishing boats...

or a wider view of the gaps with the Mount in the distance.

 

Fishing into the Future release event summary encouraging a clear written commitment to co-management in future policy

Following their relaunch event, the industry-led charity Fishing into the Future (FITF) has published an event summary that encourages a commitment to the language of co-management in future fishing policy.

The ground-breaking ‘Cast Your Voice – The Future of Fisheries Management’ event on 1st April 2021 focused on creating a dialogue around fishing, science and policy, and was well-attended by a variety of people within the UK the fishing sector. It provided an opportunity for people working in fisheries to explore the concept of co-management, share their experiences and diverse approaches to management and science, and discuss their ideas for the future of UK fisheries management.

The highlight of the event came from within intimate, thought-provoking group discussions, led by FITF fishing industry Trustees, David Stevens, Adrian Bartlett, Peter Bruce, and Jimmy Buchan. Conversations emphasized the importance of true collaboration between industry members in policy and science, and ensuring well-structured and transparent management processes while trialling new approaches of working together. During the discussions there was a desire to move towards long-term commitments, with ideas put forward on what this might look like, how they could be funded, and how existing initiatives could be brought together effectively, with an appetite to see these approaches incorporated into policy.

Emma Plotnek, FITF Programme Manager said:

“We already know of so many forward-thinking initiatives that have the attributes of effective co-management and industry-led data collection – however, we must also remember we are still figuring out what co-management and collaborative science will look like in the UK. Looking to the future, we hope to see people from the industry engaged in the development of policies that tie these efforts all together.”

The event brought together a number of renowned, multi-disciplinary contributors, including 

• Alexa Dayton, Scientist at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, who explained the US approach to fisheries management; 

• Gus Caslake, Independent Chair of the Cornish Sardine Management Association, who spoke of collaboration and data collection within the organisation; 

• Alan Steer, Vice-Chair of the South Devon and Channel Fishermen, who gave an insight into the history of the Inshore Potting Agreement in South Devon; and 

• Jim Evans, Chair of the Welsh Fishermen’s Association (WFA), who presented on the effective relationship between the WFA and marine scientists to obtain data for better management decisions. 

These insights were followed up with some perceptions from within Government, with key messages shared by Robbie Fisher of DEFRA and Jim Watson of Marine Scotland.

It was highlighted during the event that the Scottish Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 already uses clear language that is committed to co-management. During the event, Jim Watson of Marine Scotland reaffirmed that a commitment to co-management needs to be built into each part of the management process - established during the initial stages of development right through to delivery. Drawing on this valuable insight, FITF have drafted a summary of the event, in which one of the take-home messages encourages the adoption of this approach more broadly into policy.

David Stevens, Chair of Fishing into the Future, said:

“A positive reception from government provided us with much reassurance, the next leap forward will be seeing specific wording in policy that commits all of us to these processes. We need to keep this at the forefront of our agenda as the Joint Fisheries Statement is being written throughout this year and next.”

FITF’s approach is unique and truly collaborative, as the charity is led predominantly by fishermen and those working in the fishing industry, who give their time voluntarily to support the charity whilst also running fishing businesses and working directly with the sector. FITF focuses on creating learning opportunities, encouraging collaboration, and providing a platform to enable effective dialogue and mutual understanding between the diverse set of people working across the fishing industry, science, and government. The short and clearly written event summary is available on the Fishing into the Future website and the event is available to re-watch in full on the FITF Facebook Page.

Contact: emma@fitf.co.uk