United Kingdom non-quota landings from EU waters 2021 & 2022 - updated 8th November 2022

 

There's an overview below or you can browse through the full report above.


Contents

1. Key Statistics

2. Glossary of terms used in this report

3. Feedback

4. Contact details

Non quota species make up some of the most valuable landed on a regular basis to UK fish markets and include brown crab, spider crab, lobster, crawfish, John Dory, red mullet, squid, cuttlefish, bream, red, grey and tub gurnard.

Key Statistics

In 2021 UK vessels landed 11,900 tonnes of Non-quota species from EU waters. In January to June 2022 UK vessels landed 4,300 tonnes of Non-quota species from EU waters, which was an 8 per cent increase on the same period in 2021. The key species landed include: Edible crab; Great Atlantic scallop; Whelk; European lobster; and Pilchard. The majority of activity in EU waters was by the over 24m UK fleet, accounting for 56 per cent of the landings, mainly targeting Greater Atlantic scallop. In 2021 and the first half of 2022, the majority of landings in EU waters for Non-quota species were by Scottish administered vessels (50 per cent and 57 per cent respectively), predominantly targeting Greater Atlantic scallop and Edible crab. In 2021 English vessels landed 46 per cent of the total UK catch in EU waters, targeting Edible crab, Greater Atlantic scallop and Whelk. The landings by UK vessels of Queen Scallops in EU waters in 2021 reduced from 17 to zero tonnes when using the reported compared to the apportioned EEZ method. When comparing 2021 landings with the average annual landings in the period 2017-191, total landings reduced by 18 per cent.

About this statistical release

The reports published here include UK activity calculated using data collected and processed by officials of the various Fisheries Administrations in the UK, namely the MMO, Marine Scotland, DAERA, and WAG; as well as the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.

The data helps understanding of UK vessel landings in the EU Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) of capture. From 2021 this is based on the reported zone, however comparisons with previous years are based on estimates to determine the EU EEZ of capture (further information on the methodology to determine EEZ below).

This is a new dataset and remains provisional as we continue to improve the quality of this data, in particular with the EEZ area of activity. Final data for 2021 will be published with our annual national statistics publication in September.

This series will be updated monthly to allow comparisons of uptake in the current year with the previous year based on the reported area of activity. Data prior to 2021 is based on the estimated EEZ by spatial apportioning, therefore caution is advised when assessing differences with years before this date due to the alternative methodology used. This is however the most reliable data available to the MMO to determine UK fishing vessel activity in EU waters prior to 2021.

This series is being released as ‘Experimental’ statistics as it does not fully meet the requirements for a national statistics release. We are currently assessing and improving the data quality with the intention of badging this release as ‘national statistics’, in line with the UK Statistics Authority’s Code of Practice for Statistics.

1.2 Landings by UK vessels in EU waters In 2021 landings of the main Non-quota species (Edible crab, Greater Atlantic Scallop, Whelk, European lobster, Pilchard) accounted for 89 per cent of the total UK vessel landings in EU waters. The majority of this activity was in the Central North Sea (34 per cent) and the Western English Channel (29 per cent). In 2021 the ‘over 15m’ UK fleet accounted for 91 per cent of the total Non-quota activity in EU waters. The majority of landings by species group for Non-quota uptake by UK vessels in EU waters in 2021 are for Molluscs (6 thousand tonnes) and represent 51 per cent of the total.

1.4 Chart 1: Non-quota species landings by UK vessels in EU waters: 2021 Edible crab and Scallops contributed the majority of the live weight in metric tonnes caught, accounting for 80 per cent (40 per cent each) of the total non-quota species landed. Comparing the first six months of 2022 with the equivalent period in 2021, total Non-quota species by UK vessels in EU waters increased by 8 per cent, with Greater Atlantic scallop alone increasing activity by 34 per cent when compared to 2021. Significant reductions were observed for Whelk (down 84 per cent) and Pilchard, (down 75 per cent).

 

1.5 Table 2. Non-quota species landings by UK vessels in EU waters in January - June: 2022 vs 2021 Species 2021 2022 2022 v 2021 Edible crab 841 944 12% European lobster 24 25 5% Great Atlantic scallop 1,876 2,517 34% Pilchards 21 5 -75% Whelk 553 91 -84% Other Species 676 716 6% UK total 3,992 4,298 8%

 
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the United Kingdom and European Union includes the objective of ensuring the fishing activities for shared stocks are environmentally sustainable. Although the management of Quota-species stocks within UK/EU waters have been established, currently an effective strategy for the management of Non-quota species uptake has yet to be finalised. Discussions between the UK and EU are currently progressing to ensure such a management plan, with the aim of implementing from January 2023.

To inform and agree a strategy reliable data is essential to assess Non-quota fish uptake by UK vessels in EU waters, and corresponding uptake by EU vessels in UK waters. The data in this report represents the UK’s best estimate of our activity in EU waters and are exchanged with the EU monthly. The UK also receive corresponding data for EU vessel activity in UK waters, however this data is not currently published.

The MMO published an earlier report to include activity for UK activity in EU waters the first six months of 2021, however this was based on estimated statistical sea rectangle methodology. Although at the time of publishing this was the best estimate of the EEZ of capture, significant differences were observed when later comparing with the reported area of capture. The estimated approach relied on dividing the statistical sea rectangles, where they spanned across UK/EU waters, to estimate activity by EEZ. For details of this methodology please refer to ANNEX 2 of UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 2020. An example to illustrate follows:

If an ICES rectangle is fully in UK waters, we can assume 100% of the catch assigned to that rectangle is from UK waters. However, EEZ lines intersect and cut across ICES rectangles so this assumption cannot be applied in all instances. For example, in the English Channel, the ICES rectangles span both UK and French waters. Imagine the sea surface of an ICES rectangle falls in a way so that exactly 50 per cent of the ICES rectangle is in UK waters and 50 per cent is in French waters. Based on the per cent of the sea surface that falls in each nation’s EEZ we make an assumption that 50 per cent of the catch reported against that ICES rectangle was from French waters and 50 per cent was from UK waters. This same calculation can be done for all ICES rectangles and aggregated up to various groupings to estimate e.g., the percentage of landings by the UK fleet from UK waters compared to the percentage of landings from EU waters. In reality, the example of the English Channel described above, a vessel may have actually landed 100% of their catch on the UK side of the EEZ.

From 2021 vessels were required to report fishing activity by EEZ, differentiating between UK and EU waters. From this date the EEZ of capture will be determined by using the landings data as reported in vessel logbooks. For certain activity, such as Whelk and Queen Scallop, a significant proportion were originally assessed as being caught in EU waters in 2021 based on the estimated EEZ, however based on the actual reported EEZ landings were significantly greater in UK waters.

Newlyn Fish of the Week 2 - the mighty Bass!

Bass is one of those fish that everyone knows. The bane of many a shore angler, often sought, seldom caught! The bass landed on the market in Newlyn is mainly caught by fishermen working alone on punts using hook and line, they are fished all year round but at their most abundant from summer onwards. 

So who better to pick for catching the mighty bass than the bass king himself, Stephen Astley aka, Cap'n Cod...

who is recognised as one of the top handline fishermen in the port...

working singlehanded from his boat Butts, Stephen is the epitome of environmentally sustainable fishing championed by his peers from the ports and coves of Cornwall.

Cooking bass is fun. Mostly because it is a fish for a special occasion so you want to do this king of fish justice. It is one of those fish that demands some loving care and attention - not one for the deep fat fryer in batter for sure!

Here's a few suggestions from some of the country's best known chefs:

 First up Ricard Stein's protege son Jack and a raw example...

or this classic Breton inspired recipe using wet sea salt from Galton Blackaston...

and finally, how could we not pay homage to the man who really put the 'F' into British fish cooking, Mr Keith Floyd himself...

here in his book, Floyd on Fish, providing not one but four recipes and, in typical Floyd fashion selflessly including one from his kitchen sparring partner...

Rick, or Richard Stein as he was better known in the heady days of 1985 and groundbreaking TV cheffery that Floyd pioneered paving the way for much of the cooking we see today on our screens today.

Prins Bernhard - So the journey begins!

France Pelagique have very kindly allowed Through the Gaps to also tell the story of the Prins Bernhard through words and lens of fishing journalist, Thomas Troadec. Thomas will post words, images and videos from the boat in the English Channel daily as the boat fishes her first herring trip of the season. In French, the English Channel is known as, La Manche - which translates literally as, The Sleeve.

Before joining the boat there is the journey from home and the bus that takes the 28 crew and Thomas to the dockside at Ijmuiden.

Thomas' story begins with, The Departure.

"It's a special moment. We go from earthling to sailor, in a few minutes. »

The sun rises on IJmuiden, and already the crew is at work on the Prins Bernhard. 

Everyone takes their place in the well-rehearsed choreography of the preparations. On deck, in the engine room, on the bridge: here as there the gestures are precise, the looks concentrated. The maneovers are thus linked until the departure.

"That's it. We are alone."

Discover these images here, every day, and on the dedicated page of the France Pelagique website 

Please use the Comments below to ask any questions.

The Normandy Region is opening a fund to help fishermen acquire their boat

Interesting story from Normandy in France. How the region itself is helping new investment in the fishing industry. A really innovative collaboration between French banks and others. Cornwall, with its vibrant fishing and thriving tourism industry; which consumes a good proportion of fish caught locally during the holiday seasons, take note! 

Hervé Morin, Président de la Région Normandie, a visité lundi 14 novembre 2022, à Port-en-Bessin (Calvados), le navire hauturier Vauban acquis par Wilfried Roberge via le Fonds Normandie Littoral. - Crédit photo Biernacki/Région Normandie

The Normandy Region has set up a system to enable fishermen to become owners of their working tools. Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region, visited Monday, November 14, 2022, in Port-en-Bessin (Calvados), the offshore vessel Vauban acquired by Wilfried Roberge via the Normandy Littoral Fund. - Photo credit Biernacki/Normandy Region

Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region, visited Monday, November 14, 2022, in Port-en-Bessin (Calvados) , the offshore vessel Vauban acquired by Wilfried Roberge via the Normandy Littoral Fund. The Normandie Littoral fund, dedicated to supporting the Normandy maritime economy, facilitates and accelerates investment opportunities for professional players in the maritime, coastal and river sectors. 

There are 585 fishing vessels in Normandy.

As the second largest fishing region, the Normandy region now has 585 fishing vessels, 2% of which are offshore vessels. The Normandy offshore fleet represents a significant proportion of landings in Normandy auctions. Maintaining them is therefore a major challenge for the balance of the Normandy fishing industry. From skipper-employee to owner of his fishing boat for more than 20 years, Wilfried Roberge has been operating the Vauban as skipper-employee since 2019. The latter was able to prepare his acquisition project in the best conditions, build a crew of 7 sailors, and operate the vessel thanks to the intervention of Normandie Littoral, which took a capital stake in Mr. Roberge's fishing company.

The Normandie Littoral fund was created in 2020 on the initiative of Normandie Participations, the investment fund of the Normandy Region. Four regional players have joined forces with Normandie Littoral: Banque Populaire Grand Ouest Crédit maritime, Caisse d'Epargne Normandie, Groupama Center Manche, Banque Populaire du Nord Crédit Maritime. This fund allows investments related to blue growth, and intervenes at all stages of financing: innovation capital, development capital, transmission capital. 70 investment files have already been studied by the Normandie Littoral fund.

4 files were presented, for 3 investments made, representing a total of more than 1.02 million euros :

- construction of a trawler/shellfisher to be carried out by a Norman shipyard in Dieppe

- acquisition of a boat offshore in Port-en-Bessin

- support for a start-up in the development and industrialization of a propellerless electric motor which will be manufactured in Normandy in Le Havre.

Normandie Littoral's objective is to allow the realization of 3 to 4 projects per year, in order to reach a minimum of 15 participations by 2026

. fishing bosses to acquire their first vessel. 

This fund is a springboard for acquiring a vessel. After this boost, the Region is withdrawing and intends to help other fishermen. In addition, the Region is still very active in resolving the issue of fishing licenses with the Channel Islands,” says Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region.

Cine film of Mousehole in 1942

 There's even a shot of the 'blue bus'!

Splendid footage about the way of life in a Cornish fishing village during World War II. 

The war never reached this far to the South-West corner of England. No signs of war are visible and life seems to go on like it did during decades before. This film shows how men and women go about their activities during daytime and nighttime. During the day pilchards are caught and during the night crabs. The stone harbour walls are ideal for drying the fishing nets. The daily catch is plentiful and the village seems to thrive. 

In the distance, Saint Michaels Mount is visible across the bay, about 4 miles away. The village is called Mousehole. The original film is titled "Coastal Village" and doesn't mention the name of the village.

We have added nice background music by the young American composer Trevor Kowalski titled "Beautiful Blur".

The original film has been motion-stabilised, slightly speed-corrected, A.I. enhanced and A.I. colourised by means of sophisticated software.

 

Have your say at the Crab & Lobster Online Symposium - online today!

 The Crab and Lobster Symposium aims to share current knowledge and support ongoing work to safeguard the long-term health of UK crab and lobster populations and sustainable fisheries.

The demand for UK crab has increased in recent years, largely due to the growth of the export market, particularly to Asia and the EU. The value of landings is increasing, which has resulted in an increase in fishing effort for crab and lobster around the UK.

The industry has concerns about the long-term sustainability of some fisheries and there is common concern amongst fishermen, fisheries managers and conservationists that some inshore regions are experiencing dramatic declines in availability of stock and increased mortality.

A number of groups are working on research and improved management to inform a Crab and Lobster Fisheries Management Plan and the Symposium will share information on our current knowledge of crab and lobster stocks, fishery status, current management measures and future management options to safeguard crab and lobster stocks and sustainable fisheries.

The Symposium is free and fully inclusive with an open forum session inviting views from all attendees, particularly fishermen from the inshore and offshore fleet.

Speakers and a full agenda can be found here. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Sam Fanshawe: Sam@bluemarinefoundation.com

If you are unable to attend the event, please submit any questions or comments via this form, and these will be addressed during the Open Forum Session.

France Pélagique takes on a documentary filmmaker for the herring season in the Channel.

 

The Prins Bernard has left Ijmuiden for the Channel fishing grounds.

On the occasion of the herring season in the Eastern Channel, the French pelagic shipping line is launching an unprecedented communication operation.

On Monday November 14, photographer and sociologist Thomas Troadec from the Catalpa agency set off for the Netherlands with the crew of the Prins Bernhard , an 88-metre pelagic trawler from the French subsidiary of the Dutch group Cornelis Vrolijk. The communication agency Catalpa has worked in particular on campaigns for the National Fisheries Committee on the attractiveness of the fishing profession.

"I've wanted to make this story for a long time. These sailors are mostly tens of nautical miles from the coast – there, for more than a month, they will be in the English Channel for herring. This is a unique opportunity to keep a logbook. I will be the eyes of those who remain on the ground. I want to introduce them to the different parts of the vessel and the fishing manoeuvres, but also to make them understand the trades – the lives behind it, too. – Thomas Troadec, documentary filmmaker (Agence Catalpa)

Thomas Troadec previously filmed aboard the Scombrus

Direction the Eastern Channel.

For four weeks of herring fishing, with a passage during the tide on the Scombrus, the other ship of the armament, an 81 meter from 2020. The documentary filmmaker will share every day a clip of a few minutes, video or sound, broadcast on the shipowner's website and Linkedin page.

The Scombrus is currently fishing Sw of the Shetlands.

The objective of this campaign is clear. As practically every year, especially last autumn , the presence in the Channel of these "giant super-trawlers" for the herring season is the subject of criticism which, according to the shipping line, stems "from a lack of knowledge of the realities of industrial fishing as we practice it” .

"By opening the doors of our vessels in this way, we want to make pelagic fishing known to anyone who wishes, in all its dimensions ," said Geoffroy Dhellemmes, general manager of France pélagique, in a press release. Explain the techniques, the regulatory framework and show the men who devote themselves to it. Pedagogy and transparency, for a better knowledge of the sector. »

Will this displayed transparency silence the critics, or at least attenuate them? Nothing could be less certain, in a climate already strained by the issue of the flyshooter seineers, which shows the same divisions between industrial fishing with Dutch capital and artisanal fishing in Normandy and Hauts-de-France.

You can read (in French) the company's PR material below.