Fishing for Solutions – the Climate Catastrophe: The Time for Action is Now

 

This powerful documentary explores the stark reality of the impact of climate change on the fishing industry, and the previously under-recognized role of sustainable seafood in climate policy. 

The Cornish sardine fishery featured in an @MSCecolabel film about ClimateChange. It says that #fishermen are in a unique position to collect data & support scientists in their research, helping to mitigate the effects of rising sea temps.

With first-hand accounts of marine heatwaves, shifting fish stocks and the impact of climate change on fishers across the globe, the film contains a powerful rallying call to policy makers to tackle the causes of climate change, and agree adaptive, resilient solutions in the face of profound climate driven shifts in ocean ecosystems.

“Fishing for solutions – the climate catastrophe: the time for action is now”, is a Farelight Productions creation, commissioned by the Marine Stewardship Council - the not-for-profit responsible for the world’s largest sustainable seafood certification programme. 

New I-VMS for English fishing boats below 12 metres.

From 2022, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) requires all English registered fishing vessels under 12 metres to fitted with an approved I-VMS (Inshore Vessel Monitoring System). Unlike previous VMS schemes, the fisher has freedom to choose which supplier they prefer from the devices Type Approved by the MMO.

Maritime Systems consulted with fishermen, marine engineers, the MMO and local representatives around the country for six months and has released an approved, one-stop solution that meets all their requirements for reliability and support, at the lowest cost and minimal disruption to the fisher.

 

The MS44 is a compact I-VMS with internal GPS & GSM antennas. Mounted within the wheelhouse, it does not require any holes to be drilled or external mounting like previous VMS systems. Status indicators inform the skipper it is operating correctly and after installation it will operate autonomously, with firmware upgrades and settings adjusted remotely from the factory if required.

Maritime Systems is offering the most competitive price and is the only supplier to include free installation, free local support and a 5-year warranty. The MMO grant for purchasing the I-VMS fully covers the device costs and fisher only pays the monthly subscription of £15 which covers the airtime, support and replacements.

With up to 2000 systems to install next year, Maritime Systems is offering 12 months free subscription with registrations in December. This allows their engineers to better plan the roll-out and coordinate with the boats in their patch, doing installation at convenient times to the fishermen.

The introduction of I-VMS may not be appreciated by all members of the fishing community, so Maritime Systems has worked hard to prove itself as the fisherman’s friend. Local engineers are required to always keep spare units in their vans, they have organised discounts with marine suppliers for subscribers and they are also making a donation to the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society with every subscription.

James Glover, Managing Director of Maritime Systems commented, “Inshore fishermen already have a tough time, so for me it was vital to reduce any stress where possible. We have made the registration and installation as simple as possible, with one fee covering everything. We expect to subscribe the majority of the English fishermen to our I-VMS and are committed to making sure it does not hamper them in any way.

It was also important to me to donate to the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society and I am proud that we are able to support this deserving charity as part of our ongoing commitment to the fishermen. These are tough times and none of us know what the future may bring.”

For more information, visit http://www.maritimesys.com or contact a member of the team on +44 (0)2380 231 991 or info@maritimesys.com

Fishing Quota Negotiations Approach Endgame

Five separate strands within the complex intertwined negotiations for fisheries agreements for 2022 are approaching their endgames. There seems to be a determination by all parties to avoid the extended, painful, process witnessed earlier this year which stalled agreements for 2021 until 5 months into the year to which they apply.

Those first negotiations can be seen as a trial of strength as the parties positioned themselves for the new fisheries world in which the UK is an independent coastal state, albeit one constrained by the provisions of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. There seems to be a determination for all parties to settle down into a more predictable, manageable, pattern.

Coastal States

There was little surprise that talks between coastal states, the first set of negotiations out of the blocks, set TACS but failed to reach a sharing agreement on stocks like mackerel and blue whiting. A process has been set up to hopefully lay the foundations for a future agreement, although ultimately political heads will have to be knocked together if over-exploitation and stock decline on those pivotal stocks are to be avoided.

Trilaterals

Trilateral negotiations between the UK/Norway and the EU look very close to conclusion on setting TACs for jointly managed stocks in the North Sea. At the heart of the negotiations have been mixed fishery considerations which have had to deal with a recruitment spike in North Sea haddock, a change in scientific perception which recommended a 237% increase in the whiting TAC, whilst simultaneously finding the right balance on cod between rebuilding the biomass and minimising discards and chokes.

A heated dispute between Norway and the EU on TAC and fleet shares for herring in the North Sea has again been a feature of the negotiations.

Bilaterals

Separate bilateral negotiations between the UK and the EU, UK and Norway, UK and Faroes and EU and Norway have been proceeding in parallel. All look like crossing the finishing line in the next week or so. The 10th December is written into the TCA as the date by which the UK and EU must conclude fisheries negotiations for the following year and it looks like all parties have this deadline in mind.

UK and Norway, and UK and Faroes, talks last year failed to reach a fisheries agreement for 2021, leaving fleets on both sides to deal with sub-optimal fishing opportunities and access arrangements. There seems to be a determination by all to avoid a repeat of this collapse, and to avoid no agreement becoming the new normal. Both sides can be expected to fight hard for their interests, however, and the final outcome will inevitably be a compromise of some sort which will satisfy no one completely. The signs are that conditional reciprocal access arrangements will be reached for the demersal fisheries and that separate arrangements will apply to the pelagic fisheries. Steps to manage hake as a jointly managed stock in the future can also be expected to be part of the deal.

Nothing is Agreed

Whilst all of the negotiating strands are narrowing down to the final few issues, the old mantra that nothing is agreed ‘til everything is agreed applies.

Between the UK and the EU, different philosophical approaches to mixed fisheries in the Celtic Sea are in evidence. Whilst the EU adheres to the CFP’s formulaic, one-dimensional approach based on single stock advice, the UK, now outside the CFP is pressing for an approach that recognises the realities of mixed fisheries and choke risks. A realistic bycatch of cod is essential to avoid chokes. In the case of the UK fleets represents less than 0.5% of the value of total catch, but with the potential to choke an industry worth many millions on which fishing businesses and fishing communities depend.

Seabass remains a contentious area, with the fishing industry pressing for more progress in reducing the dead discards that are generated by the current bycatch rules.

Quota exchanges, which last year were held to ransom in the negotiations, causing damage to all sides, seem to have been resolved through an interim arrangement that permits exchanges initially brokered by industry organisations which looks likely to continue for 2022.

Non-Quota Stocks

A huge amount of uncertainty surrounds the treatment of non-quota stocks – for England and Wales the landings of which are marginally more economically important than quota species. The Specialised Committee for Fisheries has so far limited itself to procedural matters, mainly because the Commission has not had a mandate from member states to enter into detailed discussions. What the agreed record says will be pivotal for the future of these stocks which range over some 200 species from the economically critical to the negligible.

If these stocks are to be managed in a rational, evidence-based, way in the future, full transparency about catches made by the respective fleets will be a fundamental precondition.

Negotiations

Whilst issues remain to be resolved in this set of annual negotiations, information of what is happening in the negotiating room remains limited. The signs are that rumour and speculation will shortly be replaced by a blizzard of numbers and detail when the agreed records are published. The detail of what has been agreed will shape the fortunes of fleets in the coming year. A fundamental flaw in the process (at least for the UK and EU sides) is the remoteness of the negotiations from those impacted by the decisions. A satisfactory way to integrate the fishing industry into the process has still to be resolved. The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association (Norges Fiskerlarg) has been an integral part of the Norwegian delegation for many years, bringing invaluable industry knowledge and insight to the process.

In the UK managing the relationship between devolved administrations, and in the EU the tensions between the Commission and member states undoubtedly present obstacles to a more transparent and inclusive approach to international negotiations. Nevertheless, as a matter of principle, decisions that have such a direct and significant impact on fishing businesses and communities should not be made without their close involvement.

Full story courtesy of the NFFO website.

From willow and withies to steel and plastic.

 

In this film, created by Storylines CIC for the Guardians of the Reef project, several fishermen talk about the evolution of potting gear - from willow, through wire to the modern plastics we have today.

APPG - Supporting financial resilience in UK fishing communities

On Tuesday 30 November, the APPG on Fisheries and over 50 attendees heard from a range of speakers on how to support financial resilience in fishing communities around the UK. The uncertain incomes surrounding many fishing careers can lead to financial vulnerabilities for fishermen, their families, and ultimately their communities.

"For many fishermen, incomes can vary massively from one day to the next,” said Sheryll Murray MP, Chair of the APPG. “Building in measures to help secure these incomes for the long term can greatly increase their quality of life and peace of mind. It can also provide much-needed reassurance for their families."

Deborah Layde, Head of Impact at The Seafarers’ Charity, presented first, speaking on the work of the SafetyNet campaign. “It is possible to earn a good living from fishing, but there are many factors outside of a fisher’s control that cause financial instability – the weather, the availability of fish and the market price paid for fish being the most significant,” she said. “This is why The Seafarers’ Charity have created the fishingsafetynet.co.uk website - to help provide information and guidance to support financial decision-making. The website contains free independent guidance on credit choices, managing debts, and support for budgeting.”

The SafetyNet campaign works closely with the Commsave Credit Union, who have begun offering bespoke affordable loan and credit options for fishermen. “Here at Commsave we’ve tried to build products specifically to help address the challenges faced by fishers,” said James Richards, CommSave Business Development Manager. “We encourage fishers to become members of Commsave and put something away when the going is good, so that they have something to fall back on when times are tough. We also enable members to borrow safely and affordably, avoiding the risks and long-term consequences of using high-cost forms of credit.”

Jamie Wilkinson of Aberdeenshire Council spoke about the Coastal Communities Challenge Fund, and how it is helping to fund projects that demonstrate positive economic, social or environmental impacts. “Fishermen must be resilient and resourceful in order to succeed,” he said. “By working in partnership with each other and with local, regional and national stakeholders, financial sustainability can be improved by enhancing onshore and offshore facilities, adding value to local produce, and building the supply chain.”

Joe MacPhee of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Duncan MacInnes of the Western Isles Fishermen’s Association spoke next, about the unique challenges faced by islanders, and how the Outer Hebrides Fisheries Investment Scheme has helped to create and retain employment opportunities for the fishing industry. “Improved connectivity to the market is essential for remote communities,” said MacInnes during the event.

Chris Ranger of the Fal Fishery Cooperative CIC presented last, highlighting the challenges faced by small shellfish groups, especially in terms of accessing support and funding. “Financial vulnerabilities are usually due to things out of our control, such as pollution in waters, product recalls, archaic water sampling methods, and consumer confidence,” he said. “We can work towards financial resilience by partnering up with businesses that have long-term objectives.”

Presentations were followed by a wide-ranging discussion, featuring topics such as access to national and regional funding and support measures, helping young entrants secure resilience early on, and how MPs can support their fishing constituents.

The event was recorded and is available on the APPG website, along with a summary of the panelists’ answers to questions from attendees. The APPG Secretariat will also publish a policy brief detailing the outputs and key messages for the event in the coming weeks. The APPG on Fisheries’ next event will take place in the New Year. Sign up to their newsletter to be the first to hear about the event launch.

Contact: All Party Parliamentary Group on Fisheries Secretariat secretariat@fisheriesappg.org

It's a wet start to the week with storm Barra on the way.

The Billy Rowney lays against the fish market with tubs of cuttlefish awaiting collection...

as young Steve and 'Little' Graham wrestle with fish from the St Georges... 

whose trip also included 'black gold'...

a few boxes of John Dory...

Dover sole...

red mullet...

monk tails...

megrim sole...

and plaice...

despite the poor weather over the weekend a few hardy handiners, boats that work almost exclusively singlehanded braved chilly winds and choppy seas to put ashore a few boxes of liner caught bass...

and mackerel...

down the Mary Williams pier the rain it raineth on the netting fleet resting over the spring tide...

with bigger boats like the Crystal Sea in between trips keeping a very close eye on this week's storm Barra brewing out in the Atlantic rapidly heading eastwards...

oh! to track the wandering life of a fish box...

and the rain it continues to raineth, this time two Rowse crabbers get a dowsing.

 

RIP Ex-Newlyn Harbourmaster Andrew Munson 1952-2021

Andrew Munson - Newlyn Harbourmaster 1979-2013

Andrew Munson first joined the harbour as a Trainee Clerk in 1969, after discovering during the school holidays while crabbing aboard the Mes Creiz that severe seasickness was never going to leave him alone. He was appointed Harbour Master and Clerk to the Commissioners ten years later. During his time as Harbour Master Andrew saw many major improvements...

including the building of the Mary Williams Pier in 1980, and its 90m extension in 1988...

and he oversaw totally refurbished the old Fish Market which was almost totally open to the elements and entirely unsuitable for selling fish 90% of which was bought and exported to the EU...

the pontoon system in 2006...

and the improvements to the slipway facilities in 2006.

Over the years, Andrew helped to host many royal visits, including HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Duke of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales, and also the late Diana, Princess of Wales. He has also helped to host many Governmental and other official visits to Newlyn...

and helped initiate Radio Cornwall's harbourmaster reports on James Churchfield breakfast show keeping the public informed on all the latest harbour comings and goings.

Throughout his career Andrew has been at the centre of Newlyn life and has helped the local community and the harbour in many ways, both professionally and personally. He was an active member of the Local Advisory Committee of the Fisherman’s Mission and a former Chairman of Newlyn Lights.

Andrew was very much the hands-on harbourmaster...

and a skilled boatsman never afraid to take to the water...

and get his hands dirty to keep the fleet safe when needed..

or step aboard to hear for first-hand what the problems were.

He was also the French Consular Agent for Cornwall having helped many injured French fishermen with repatriation to France after their hospital care...

and for these services he was awarded the French Honour of Knight of the Maritime Merit Order...

He was just as happy chatting to the regular Dutch and Belgian skippers when they made a safe-haven in the port...

Being harbourmaster for that length of time meant that he also witnessed great change in the fishing industry witnessing the demise of the huge fleet of mackerel handliners that assembled every winter in the '70s to the growth of Newlyn as the premier port home to the biggest beam trawl and gill net fleet in the UK...

and, of course, he was never far from every major incident in the area including the loss of the Penlee lifeboat in 1981...

subsequently, Andrew was Penlee Life Boat Operations Manager from 1989 and later awarded the RNLI Gold Award in recognition of his services to the RNLI in 2012.

All in all, looking back on his time as harbourmaster, Andrew, with some degree of satisfaction, could surely say that he had seen the harbour through some seriously challenging times as old practices and resistance to change continued to defy an industry at odds with a world increasingly dominated by forces that would bring in change no matter what and that the harbour was in a better place then than when he had started as clerk to the commissioners back in the 60s.

RIP Andrew.