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Skipper MACKEREL U-TURN - Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock hugely underestimated. See pages 2-5
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MACKEREL U-TURN
Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock hugely underestimated. See pages 2-5

NEW MURPHY MARINE SERVICES BUILD WESTRO. PHOTO STEVE CARTER
Skipper MACKEREL U-TURN - Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock hugely underestimated. See pages 2-5
MACKEREL                                                                         The Skipper      The Skipper                                                                                                           MACKEREL                    News                        3

      Skipper
                                                                                                                                                             MAY 2019                                              MAY 2019
                                     The

                                                                                          Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 To this end, Mr O’

 SERVING THE IRISH & UK                                                                                                                                                                                                       Donoghue highlighted the
       FISHING INDUSTRIES                                                                                                                                                                                                     sheer magnitude in change
                                                                                          size hugely underestimated                                                                                                          that was at issue here, and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              indicated that on account
       EDITOR: Lia ní Aodha                                                                                                                                                                                                   of this it was expected, not              C Fish specialises in converting fish by-products
       editorial@maramedia.ie                                                                                                                                                                                                 just by the KFO but by all                       into pet food ingredients and bait
       Mob: 086 823 9608
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Coastal States affected, that
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              a substantial increase on                Fresh & Frozen Fishing Baits for the Commercial &
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              the ICES advice that had                 Angling Fisherman. Weekly Deliveries Nationwide
                                 SALES: Sharon Boyle
                                 sharon@maramedia.ie
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              been offered last September                  ENQUIRES WELCOME FROM THE UK
                                 Tel: 074 95 480 37                                                                                                                                                                           would be forthcoming.
                                 Mob: 086 840 1250                                                                                                                                                                               Regarding the suspension           Charlie Vial, Main St, Dunkineely, Co. Donegal, Ireland
                                                                                                                                                                                          Seán O’ Donoghue (KFO)              of the MSC certification, Mr
       PRODUCTION /DESIGN:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Tel: 074 9737254 Mob: 087 2548208
       Declan McGrath                                                                                                                                                                                                         O’ Donoghue was confident                  Email: cfish@eircom.net Web: www.cfish.ie
       design@maramedia.ie                                                                                                                                                                of the scientific advice            that certification for the
       MANAGING DIRECTOR:                                                                                                                                                                 provided with respect               fishery would be reinstated
       Hugh Bonner                                                                                                                                                                        to the stock last autumn            by next September when                           PBP ServiceS - Peter Bruce (PatSy)
       hugh@maramedia.ie                                                                                                                                                                  and Mr O’ Donoghue had              the mackerel season would                        PBP
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                BlaStS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     cleaning
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       erviceS    - Peter
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              & Protective    Bruce
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           coatingS    (P1968
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Since atSy)
       SUBSCRIPTIONS:                                                                                                                                                                     been especially outspoken           begin again.                                      BlaStSHIPHALL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     cleaning & P/rotective coatingS
       sarah@maramedia.ie
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           INTERNAL                DRY DOCKS      UPSince 1968
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     TO 165 METRES
       Tel: 074 95 62828                                                                                                                                                                  on the matter on behalf                On account of this,                       INTERNAL SHIPHALL / DRY DOCKS UP TO 165 METRES
                                                                                                                                                                                          of the fishermen he                 Mr O’ Donoghue felt the
       PRINTED BY:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                LEADING SUPPLIERS OF MARINE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
       WG Baird, Antrim, N.I.                                                                                                                                                             represents, indicating that         inaccurate advice would not
       www.wgbaird.com                                                                                                                                                                    the assessment of the stock         have a huge impact on the
       CONTRIBUTORS:                                                                                                                                                                      last autumn did not reflect         fishermen he represents.
       Niall Duffy                                                                                                                                                                        what they were seeing on
       Mike Craine,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              However, if it transpired
       Craig Taylor,                                                                                                                                                                      the ground and had publicly         that certification was not
       Dick James,                                                                                                                                                                        expressed his confidence            re-instated there would
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             PBP
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              PBPSServiceS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    erviceS -- P
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Peter
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 eter Bruce  (PatSy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ruce (P  atSy) )
       Gudjon Eirnarsson,                                                                                                                                                                 that the estimates would be
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             PBP
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               laSt   Scleaning
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 &&PProtective
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      rotective    Bruce
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                coatingS
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Since   1968 )
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  atSy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              be serious implications                      PRODUCTS:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                BlaStSHIPHALL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          INTERNAL     cleaning & P/rotective
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       DRY      coatingS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             DOCKS     UP  TOSERVICES:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Since  1968
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               165  METRES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        INTERNAL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    •LIFERAFTS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  SPECIALIST        SHIPHALL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               •LIFEJACKETS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             FACILITIES             / DRYCOATINGS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | PROTECTIVE     DOCKS •UP       TO 165SERVICING
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |LIFERAFT
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          REGISTEREDMETRES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       TECHNICIANS
                                                                                                                                                                                          revised upwards.                    for businesses. That said,             •RESCUE BOATS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          INTERNAL   •H.R.U.  ’s
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       SHIPHALL              DOCKS•LIFEJACKET
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     / DRYCOATINGS     UP           SERVICING
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           TO 165 METRES

      mara
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  SPECIALIST FACILITIES    | PROTECTIVE                 | REGISTERED   TECHNICIANS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              he was optimistic that                   •IMMERSION SUITS                    •IMMERSION SUIT SERVICING
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     •HIRE LIFERAFTS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        •PYROTECHNICS
                                                                                                                                                                                            A MATTER OF URGENCY
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     MERRY CHRISTMAS             FROM       PBP     SERVICES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              the certification would be              •BOARDINGShip
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                LADDERS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Repair / Refit Works, Blast
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Dept ofCleaning      andapproved service station
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Transport & SOLAS

       media                                                                                                                                                                                                                  reinstated accordingly.                      Ship Repair Coating
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       CROAGHLIN,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Protective / Refit Works,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        KILLYBEGS,    Blast
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Services    Cleaning
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         toCO.       and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 DONEGAL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            the Marine,
                                                                                                                                                                                             Speaking to the Skipper,            Overall Mr O’ Donoghue                              Protective
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Oil and Coating
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Gas and Services toMarkets.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Industrial the Marine,
       Published monthly by Mara Media,
                                                                                                                           MODEL REVIEW                  estimations of the mackerel      Mr O’ Donoghue expressed            felt that the ICES report
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    T: 074 97 41760OilF:and
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Gas97 41763
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                and        E: grliferafts@eircom.net
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Industrial Markets.
       Annagry, Letterkenny, Co
       Donegal. www.maramedia.ie                                                         By Lia ní Aodha                                                 stock, including next            his satisfaction with the           was a clear vindication of
                                                                                                                            The report comes             autumns assessment.              work of the benchmark               the KFO’s position and he                      PBP ServiceS - Peter Bruce (PatSy)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 BlaSt cleaning & Protective coatingS Since 1968
       In the compilation of The Skipper, every care                                                                     following a review on the         No small reassessment,         group and reiterated that           expected that revised advice

                                                                                         A
       is taken to ensure accuracy. Where errors or
       omissions are brought to the attention of
                                                                                                report by the            current methods used to         the magnitude of change          the outcome was very much           would be issued “as a matter               INTERNAL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   SPECIALIST        SHIPHALL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              FACILITIES        / DRYCOATINGS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | PROTECTIVE DOCKS UP    TO 165 METRES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | REGISTERED TECHNICIANS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 SPECIALIST FACILITIES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              FACILITIES| |PROTECTIVE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            PROTECTIVE COATINGS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       COATINGS || REGISTERED
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   REGISTEREDTECHNICIANS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              TECHNICIANS
       Foilseachán na Mara Teo., future publications will                                       International Council    estimate mackerel stocks,       in estimation, based on          in line with the sentiments         of urgency”.                         SPECIALIST
       be amended accordingly. However, Foilseachán                                             for the Exploration of   carried out by the Inter-       the revised model, means         he had expressed last                                                                                                                                         O INT. AB
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM PBP SERVICES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            P
       na Mara Teo. does not accept liability to any                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Ship Repair / Refit Works, Blast Cleaning and          EX
                                                                                         the Seas (ICES), published      benchmark Workshop on           that that stock has now          autumn regarding the advice          VIEW FROM THE

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ER
       person for loss or damage arising from anything                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Ship
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ShipRepair
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Repair  / /Refit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    RefitWorks,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Works, Blast  Cleaning
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Cleaning   and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  and

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          SKIPPER
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Protective Coating Services to the Marine,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  DEEN
       contained in this publication or for any error                                    early last month, has           the assessment of Northeast     been assessed to be 4.16m        that had been provided at           SOUTHWEST                                            Protective
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Protective
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Oil     Coating
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Coating
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            and(0)1346
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Gas and  Services
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Services
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Industrial   the Marine,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        the  Marine,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     toMarkets.
       or omission in it, even if such loss or damage is                                                                                                                                                                                                                                T: +44         514056
       caused by negligence of Foilseachán na Mara                                       concluded that on account       Atlantic mackerel last March,   tonnes. Previous estimates       that time.                                                                                   Oil
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        T: and
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        E-mail:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           +44         and  Industrial  Markets.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Industrial Markets.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                info@pbpservices.co.uk
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       514056               www.pbpservices.co.uk
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         7-

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                0

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1
       Teo., its servants or agents. Opinions and articles                               of methodological flaws         which focused in particular     had placed the stock as             He further highlighted                                                                       E-mail: info@pbpservices.co.uk                      8 M AY 2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              www.pbpservices.co.uk
       featured are not necessarily the opinions of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 STAND 115
       Foilseachán na Mara Teo.
                                                                                         arising from the tagging data   on the influence of tagging     low as 2.3m tonnes. The          that he was satisfied a
                                                                                         used when estimating the        data—used by scientists to      report also indicates that       thorough evaluation
                                                                                         stock, previous assessments     estimate stocks on account      the current distribution of      of the tagging data had
          INSIDE THE                                                                     used to provide yearly          of the large stock sizes and    mackerel is far wider than       been conducted and the                                                 SPECIALIST FACILITIES | PROTECTIVE COATINGS | REGISTERED TECHNICIANS

          MAY ISSUE                                                                      catch advice have greatly
                                                                                         underestimated the health
                                                                                                                         highly dynamic nature of        previously observed, and         review represented a major
                                                                                                                         the stock’s migration and       the implications that this       intervention with respect to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Ship Repair / Refit Works, Blast Cleaning and
                                                                                         of the stock.                   the difficulties these pose     may have in terms of stock       the quality assurance system
       P 2-5                                                                               Based on what has now         in terms of conducting          productivity are still being     that ICES had in place.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Protective    Coating
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        T: +44 (0)1346     Services to the Marine,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       514056
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      OilE-mail:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           and   Gas  and   Industrial Markets.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 info@pbpservices.co.uk
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        T: +44 (0)1346 514056             www.pbpservices.co.uk
       Mackerel                                                                          transpired to be a ‘flawed      surveys—on the mackerel         examined.                        That said, Mr O’ Donoghue                                                                      T:E-mail:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           +44 (0)1346  514056
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   info@pbpservices.co.uk     www.pbpservices.co.uk
                                                                                         model’, previous estimates      assessment for the northeast                                     stressed the importance that                                                                   E-mail: info@pbpservices.co.uk        www.pbpservices.co.uk
       P 24-39                                                                           indicated stocks of mackerel    Atlantic.                         VIEW FROM THE KFO              these mistakes are avoided
       Skipper Expo Int.                                                                 in the northeast Atlantic          The review had focused                                        in the first place.
                                                                                         had severely declined since     on this data in particular,       Welcoming the re-                 In terms of the 2019 advice      Patrick Murphy (IS&WPO)
       Aberdeen Preview                                                                  2011, a 68 per cent cut in      on account that previous        evaluation in a statement        for the stock being revised,
                                                                                         the quota for the stock had     analysis had shown a            released on the matter           Mr O’ Donoghue indicated               Commenting to the
       P 42-43                                                                           been advised last autumn.       substantial change in the       the CEO of the Killybegs         there was surprise that             Skipper, CEO of the Irish
       Westro                                                                            A cut of 20 per cent to         perception of mackerel          Fishermen’s Organisation         ICES had hitherto not taken         South and West Fish
                                                                                         the 2019 mackerel TAC           stock when tagging data         (KFO), Seán O’ Donoghue          the initiative on this issue        Producer’s organisation
       P 44-46                                                                           was, subsequently, agreed       were excluded from the          stated that the new              themselves and emphasised           (IS&WPO), Patrick Murphy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         T: +44 (0)1346 514056
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         E-mail: info@pbpservices.co.uk        www.pbpservices.co.uk
       Fruitful Bough                                                                    between the EU, Norway          assessment, indicating          assessment fully vindicates      that those involved in the          stated that the ICES report
                                                                                         and Faroe Island.               “a high, and potentially        the position taken by            fishery could not accept that       based on the findings of the
                                                                                           More recently, the Marine     incorrectly specified, weight   the KFO with respect to          a change in advice would            inter-benchmark study “sets
     Marine & General Insurance Brokers. “Insuring Your World Today”                     Stewardship Council (MSC)       of this data source.”           mackerel stocks and the          not be issued. That said,           out explosive new findings”
                                                                                         had suspended certification        Based on the review a new    sustainability of the fishery.   he was confident that this          indicating the RFID
                                                                                         of the mackerel fishery from    assessment model has now          On this front, the KFO         would be forthcoming over           Mackerel-tagging stock
                   Tel:+353 (0)74 9177500 Fax:+353 (0)74 9177200
                                                                                         the 2nd of March this year.     been proposed for future        had been highly critical         the following weeks.                             Continued on page 4
                        Email: info@chd.ie Web: www.chd.ie
      Cavanagh Hooper Dolan Insurances Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland
Skipper MACKEREL U-TURN - Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock hugely underestimated. See pages 2-5
4     News         MACKEREL                                                                                        MAY 2019      The Skipper    The Skipper           MAY 2019                                                                                                  MACKEREL         News         5

    assessment system “appears         WE COMMEND ICES               ICES Advice be carried out                false premise and inaccurate
    to have completely distorted
    the ICES advice for 2019
    based on data assembled
                                     FOR HOLDING UP THEIR
                                     HANDS
                                                                     immediately and published
                                                                     as soon as possible.”
                                                                                                               information provided by
                                                                                                               ICES. It is clearly now a        VIEWS FROM SCOTLAND
                                                                                                               matter for Minister Creed
    over the course of a number         Mr Murphy stressed that        A FALSE PREMISE                         to correct the wrongs of         INACCURATE DESKTOP                         “We warned governments
    of years up to the beginning     the “acknowledgement from       AND INACCURATE                            the past and appropriately       MODELS                                  repeatedly that the science
    of 2018.”                        ICES that the mackerel          INFORMATION                               compensate the Irish marine                                              was way out of step with
       Mr Murphy went on             stocks size is much larger                                                sector and the fish producers                                            what our guys were seeing
    to highlight that “this          than they first advised in                                                with increased catches in the                                            daily on the fishing grounds.
    system of stock assessment       September of last year” was                                               years ahead.                                                             But instead of ensuring that
    had indicated a collapse         welcomed by the Irish South                                                 “There is sufficient basis                                             the scientists carried out
    in mackerel stock levels         and West.                                                                 now for a revised and                                                    meaningful observations
    triggering a dramatic change        Commending ICES on                                                     increased quota for 2019, this                                           at sea, they relied on
    in the scientific advice in      behalf of the organisation he                                             must be immediately acted                                                algorithms.
    the autumn of 2018 for the       stated: “The revised Stock                                                on and examined by the Irish                                                “The decisions made
    adoption of mackerel quota       Biomass is now thought                                                    Government in conjunction                                                in response to these
    and TAC’s for 2019” and          by ICES to be in the region                                               with our EU partners”.                                                   wholly inaccurate desktop
    ultimately led to “disastrous”   of 4.16 million tonnes as                                                                                                                          computer models have
    cuts for 2019.                   opposed to the figure of                                                    MACKEREL ROADMAP                                                       played havoc with markets
       “This advice was entirely     2.35 million tonnes given                                                                                                                          and with livelihoods, and it
    contrary to reports from         to us in September last so                                                   At the time of going to                                               is not the first time that this
    the fishing Industry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Zephyr
                                     we wish, first to commend       Deputy Pat “the Cope” Gallagher           print the MSC certification                                              has happened. We are sick
    across all EU member             ICES for listening to the                                                 has not yet been reinstated                                              and tired of the continued
    states and from all third-       concerns expressed by us in       Echoing the sentiments                  for the fishery, nor have                                                use of this evidently flawed                                                          comprehensive review
    country participants in          the Industry and second, for    expressed by fishing                      ICES changed their advice                                                pr.                                                                                   would be undertaken in
    this important fishery that      making the correct decision     representatives, Fianna                   with respect to the stock.                                                  Mr Collins concluded by                                                            May by ICES “which will
                                                                                                                                                Simon Collins (SFA)
    indicated the volumes they       to carry out an inter-          Fáil TD for Donegal and                   In the meantime, however,                                                stressing the importance of                                                           strategically examine
    were seeing during their         benchmark study.”               Leas-Cheann Comhairle,                    a further multi-stakeholder         A statement released                 talking to fishermen directly                                                         the various data sources
    fishing operations had never        Further commending           Deputy Pat “the Cope”                     workshop “to develop             by Shetland Fishermen’s                 and “carrying out a reality                                                           to enable improved
    been as big.”                    ICES on the work and            Gallagher said: “I am now                 a research roadmap for           Association (SFA) in reaction           check” and stated, “This                                                              assessments in the future.”
       Mr Murphy further             alluding to the importance      calling on the Minister for               mackerel” will be held this      to the revised ICES figures             cannot be allowed to happen                                                              Also in line with the
    highlighted the advice           of such steps in terms of       Agriculture, Food and the                 month, whereby a more            made a strong plea to                   again.”                                                                               sentiments expressed by
    also “appeared completely        fostering trust between         Marine and the EU Coastal                 comprehensive assessment         policymakers to listen to the                                                                                                 other sector representatives
    contrary to and seemed to        fishermen and scientists,       states to revisit the recent              of the stock and the methods     catching sector rather than             COMMITTED TO LONG                                                                     with regards to the
    skew the direction of the        Mr Murphy concluded             decisions which were taken                used to determine the size       solely relying on computer              TERM SUSTAINABILITY                                                                   suspension of the MSC
    many other data streams on       by emphasising: “Finally        on the basis of ICES advice,              of those stocks will be          models.                                                                                                                       certification of the fishery,
    mackerel stock data indices.”    and most importantly, we        and to without delay put in               conducted.                          In light of the upward                 Following the publication                                                           Mr Gatt said: “Hopefully,
       In line with comments         commend ICES for holding        place an increased Quota and                                               adjustment of the spawning              of the review, comments                                                               this now paves the way
    from the KFO, he indicated       up their hands and admitting    TAC for those states which                  Details of the ICES report,    stock biomass of the stock              also came from the Scottish                                                           for the lifting of the
    that the revised evaluation      mistakes were made with         were unfairly cut in those                including a link to the full     and with reference to the               Pelagic Fishermen’s                                                                   suspension of Marine
    of the stock “as described in    action now to be taken          respective years.                         report, can be found at:         suspension of the species               Association (SPFA). Chief                                                             Stewardship Council
    the report” is evidence that     to correct the disastrous         “The decisions to cut the                 https://www.ices.dk/news-      Marine Stewardship Council              Executive of the SPFA,                                                                (MSC) certification of the
    the concerns expressed by        situation facing fishermen.     TAC over the past number of               and-events/news-archive/         (MSC) status earlier this               Ian Gatt stated that the                 Ian Gatt (SPFA)                              fishery in the near future.
    the fishing industry were        We ask, therefore that          years should not have been                news/Pages/Northeast-            year, based on the lower                association welcomed                     surprise. As with the KFO,                   As a responsible industry,
    entirely justified.              a revision of the formal        taken - they were based on a              Atlantic-mackerel.aspx           figure, the SFA’s executive             the reassessment and                     the association indicated                    we are committed to the
                                                                                                                                                officer, Simon Collins, said:           highlighted that the findings            that these findings were                     long term sustainability
                                                                                                                                                    “We have been the                   of that reassessment “that               very much in line with what                  of the Northeast
                                                                                                                                                responsible player                      the stock abundance of                   fishermen are seeing on the                  Atlantic mackerel stock
                                                                                                                                                throughout all of this, and             Northeast Atlantic is much               fishing grounds.                             and ensuring we have in
                                                                                                                                                it gives us no pleasure to say          greater than previously                     Mr Gatt further expressed                 place effective management
                                                                                                                                                ‘We told you so’.                       estimated” was of little                 his satisfaction that a more                 measures to achieve this.”

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         18 M Y 20

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                                                                                                       Contact                                                                                                                                                          STAND 12C
                                                                                                       aquabus@bim.ie
                                                                                                       janette.davies@itcarlow.ie                MERMAID MARINE,
                                                                                                       www.itcarlow.ie/LLL                           THE MEWS,
                                                                                                                                                  14-17 WEST QUAY
                                                                                                                                                        ROAD,
                                                                                                                                                  POOLE, DORSET,           T: 0044 (0)1202 677776 engines@mermaid-marine.co.uk       Roshine, Killybegs, Co Donegal - W: www.ekmarine.ie
                                                                                                       Supported by                              BH15 1JD, ENGLAND                       www.mermaid-marine.co.uk                  T: 353 74 9741683 F: 353 74 9741686 E: info@ekmarine.ie
Skipper MACKEREL U-TURN - Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock hugely underestimated. See pages 2-5
6      News                           DISCARDS                                                                                                                 MAY 2019          The Skipper    The Skipper                    MAY 2019                                                                                                              BREXIT           News              7

    New Mapping App to Identify Discard Hotspots                                                                                                                                               NO-DEAL BREXIT PLAN FOR FISHERIES
                                                                                                                                                                                               L
                                                                                                                                                                                                     ast month, the EU Commission               the past months, sets out the EU’s         displacements.                                    Member States with regard to the
                                                                                                                                                                                                     issued a Brexit Contingency                preparations for this eventuality, to         These criteria could include the               use of this tool to ensure fairness and
    Marine Institute
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Plan for fisheries. The plan,              date.                                      potential usage of current UK catches             proportionality across fleets and across
                                                                                                                                                                                               which was agreed with Ireland along                                                         from EU27 waters, the biological                  the identified relevant fisheries.”

    T
             he Marine Institute has developed a new                                                                                                                                           with seven other impacted member                 WHERE WILL THEY GO?                        capacity of stocks to cope with                       Welcoming the plans Minister for
             online application to help the fishing                                                                                                                                            states, recognises that fisheries is one                                                    increased fishing pressure in EU27                Agriculture, Food and the Marine,
             industry identify areas with consistent                                                                                                                                           of the most critical areas with respect             Alongside the loss of access to UK      waters, potential alternatives for                Michael Creed T.D said: “This
    catch rates over multiple years. This app can                                                                                                                                              to a possible no-deal scenario, and              waters, among the risks highlighted        spreading fishing pressure, uptake of             communication reflects the high
    be used by fishermen to avoid areas with                                                                                                                                                   sets out some points relating to how             in the plan is the impact that             quota, and the economic impact for                level of planning by Ireland, France,
    high catch rates of choke species and juvenile                                                                                                                                             fisheries would be managed if that               displacement of EU vessels into other      the vessels concerned.                            Germany, Netherlands, Spain,
    commercial fish. As part of DiscardLess, a                                                                                                                                                 scenario becomes a reality.                      areas could have. Both of these issues,                                                      Belgium and Sweden working closely
    project funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020                                                                                                                                                        Though on the 11th of April, the             which have been well highlighted              The Communication further states               with DG Mare.
    Programme, the Marine Institute has been                                                                                                                                                   European Council agreed to extend                by the Irish fishing industry, are of      that “where displacement of fishing                   “When I met Commissioner
    working with partners from 12 countries to                                                                                                                                                 further the UK’s leave date from the             particular relevance to the Irish fleet    activity is not possible or not desirable,        Vella last February, I emphasised
    develop strategies for the gradual elimination                                                                                                                                             EU until 31st October 2019, thereby              and fishing grounds. With respect to       following the analysis mentioned                  the real risks of a concentration
    of discards in European fisheries. With the                                                                                                                                                averting a no-deal Brexit for the time           the latter, the plan sets out a number     above, a choice of the appropriate                of fishing into Ireland’s 200 miles
    introduction of the Landing Obligation in the                                                                                                                                              being, the uncertainty continues, and            of actions that seek to “identify and      mitigation tool(s) is warranted.” These           fishing zone by EU fleets if they are
    EU Common Fisheries Policy much emphasis                                                                                                                                                   issues with respect to what European             manage displacement” in the event          may be used in combination and                    excluded from UK waters. I pointed
    has been placed on the use of selective gear                                                                                                                                               fisheries arrangements will look like            that this becomes an issue.                include measures already existing                 out that inevitably this would lead to
    technology to reduce unwanted catches.                                                                                                                                                     if and when Brexit (hard or soft)                   In this regard, it is recommended       under the CFP (e.g. via multi-annual              displacement of our own fleet and
    Gear technology solutions can contribute in                                                                                                                                                eventually does occur remain.                    that:                                      plans, measures with respect to                   depletion of fish stocks if no action
    helping to avoid catches of choke species and                                                                                                                                                  The Commission’s plan highlights                A voluntary framework for               threats to conservation, emergency                is taken.”
    juvenile commercial fish. Knowing when and                                                                                                                                                 the serious impact that the UK’s                 intensified monitoring of changes          measures and on the setting of fishing                The Minister concluded by saying:
    where unwanted catches might be expected                                                                                                                                                   departure could have for European                in fishing activities in EU waters is      opportunities and the exchange of                 “We now have identified and agreed,
    and avoiding these areas could also be key.                                                                                                                                                fishing fleets and fish stocks and,              agreed.                                    fishing opportunities) and the EMFF.              co-ordinated and fully prepared
       Researchers from the Marine Institute                              The Marine Institute has developed a new online application to help the fishing industry identify areas with         in line with the previously detailed                On the basis of in-depth analysis          With respect to compensation                   measures that will be immediately
                                                                          consistent catch rates over multiple years.
    have been developing mapping techniques to                                                                                                                                                 contingency measures (i.e. measures              of current fishing patterns, the           member states are “encouraged to                  available to address a no-Deal Brexit
    identify consistent patterns in catches on Irish                      exercises have also indicated that by using the                  encompass other areas, including additional         allowing for reciprocal access and               Commission would work with the             submit to the Commission detailed                 situation, if the UK were to decide to
    fishing grounds. Using observer data collected                        information contained within these maps,                         species of interest, changing the layout to         provisions allowing for access to                Member States concerned to identify        plans for (the possibility of) using              deny EU vessels access to UK waters.
    from Irish, French and UK fishing vessels                             fishing opportunities could be extended under                    improve the user experience and adding              EMFF funding in the event that                   relevant criteria within the existing      temporary cessation if and when                   I am seeking additional EU funds to
    operating in the Celtic Sea, maps have been                           the Landing Obligation by maximising on                          additional information such as quota                fishermen find themselves locked                 framework to assess the viability,         needed, and based on this “the                    support this mitigation measure if
    produced for all TAC species, identifying where                       catches of commercially important species                        availability in each area, amongst many             out of UK waters) adopted over                   sustainability and scale of potential      Commission will work with the                     they become necessary.”
    fish are regularly caught over multiple years. To                     whilst minimising catches of choke species.                      other possible improvements. As part of this
    make this information available to anyone who                         Both the app and results from this modelling                     development, users of the app are currently
    may be interested in catch patterns in this area                      were presented at the Landing Obligation                         being asked to provide feedback via a short
    the maps have been loaded into a web-based                            in Focus meeting, hosted by BIM in Páirc Uí                      online questionnaire that is contained                   National Fisheries College of Ireland
    application that is freely accessible. Within this                    Chaoimh in November last year, receiving                         within the app.
    application individual maps per species can                           a positive reaction from both industry and                          Those interested in this information                  May-June Schedule 2019
    be viewed based on vessel category, season,                           policymakers.                                                    and technology, are encouraged to visit the
    and size of the catches (both below and above                            While much of the information contained                       app, explore the information provided and
    minimum conservation reference size). There                           within these maps will be familiar to those                      provide feedback. All opinions and views
    is also the option to add layers from multiple                        regularly fishing in these areas, it is envisaged                provided at this stage will be incredibly
    maps onto a single base map so that catches of                        that this tool could act as an additional                        valuable in shaping how this tool may
    different species in one area can be compared,                        resource to assist in avoiding unwanted                          function in the future.                                  Second Hand Full Certificate of Competency     Safety Training (3-day)                                                    Passenger Boat Proficiency
    to see where they are most likely to overlap and                      catches through spatial avoidance. Whilst the                       The app and questionnaire are available               – 02 September-18 December, NFC Castletownbere – 14-16 May, NFC Castletownbere                                            – 30 April-03 May, Dingle, Co. Kerry,
    determine how they interact with each other.                          tool is available to use now it is hoped that                    at https://shiny.marine.ie/discardless/ and is           – 26 August-18 December, NFC Greencastle       – 14-16 May, Newport, Co. Mayo,                                              contact 087 6837134
       This interactive technology provides a great                       it can be developed further to best meet the                     compatible with mobile phone technology.                 Class 3 Marine Engineer (Fishing)                contact 087 6837134                                                      – 17-21 June, NFC Greencastle
    platform to provide tailor-made information                           needs of industry and provide information                        Any further queries or feedback regarding                – 16 September to July 2020, NFC Greencastle   – 07-09 May, Dingle, Co. Kerry,                                            – 08-12 July, NFC Greencastle
    relevant to each individual, highlighting                             that is easily digestible and ultimately useful.                 this app can be directed to Julia.calderwood@                                                             contact 087 6837134                                                      GMDSS GOC Radio Proficiency
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Navigation Control (Fishing)
    what is of most interest to them. Modelling                           This may include extending the maps to                           marine.ie.                                                                                              – 14-16 May, Newport, Co. Mayo,                                            – 26 August-10 September, NFC Greencastle
                                                                                                                                                                                                    – 17-28 June, NFC Castletownbere
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     contact 087 6837134
                                                                                                                                                                                                    – 17-28 June, NFC Greencastle                                                                                             GMDSS Short Range Radio Proficiency
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   – 20-22 May, NFC Greencastle
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Electronic Navigation Systems (Fishing)                                                                                   (modules 1 & 2)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   – 10-12 June, NFC, Greencastle
                       DAVIDSONS SHIP PAINTERS                                                          Sheehan’s Fishing Company Ltd.                                                              – 11-27 September, NFC Greencastle             – 18-20 June, NFC Castletownbere
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   – 25-27 June, Belmullet, Co. Mayo,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              – 13-15 May, NFC Greencastle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              – 27-30 May, Newport, Co. May,
                                            Seagate, Peterhead, AB42 1JP                                                                                                                            Enhanced Safety Training                                                                                                    contact 087 6837134
                        T: 01779 474455 M: 07831 512834 E: davidsonspaintersltd@outlook.com                                                                                                         – 02 May, NFC Castletownbere                     contact 087 6837134
                                       W: www.davidsons-ships-painters.co.uk                            NET MAINTENANCE                                                                                                                            – 09-11 July, NFC Castletownbere
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              – 08-11 July, Belmullet, Co. Mayo,
                                                                                                        Nets maintained or re-roped at                                                              – 07 May, NFC Greencastle                                                                                                   contact 087 6837134
      Come visit us on stand no. 55 Skipper Expo Int. Aberdeen                                          competitive prices. Call for a quote.                                                       – 06 June, NFC Greencastle                                   Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (3-day)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Workboat Handling C20185
                   PO INT. AB          AMITY PD177 AND APOLLO INS179                                                                                                                                – 07 June, Newport, Co. Mayo,                                – 20-22 May, NFC Castletownbere
                 EX
                                                                                                        WHILE STOCKS LAST                                                                             contact 087 6837134
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              – 10-13 June, Newport, Co. Mayo,
                             ER

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 – 27-29 May, NFC Greencastle
       SKIPPER

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                                                                                                        16mm PE - €80 - 18mm PE - €90                                                                                                                                                                                           contact 087 6837134
                                                                                                        20mm PE - €110 - 22mm PE - €120
                                                                                                                                                                                                    – 26 June, NFC Castletownbere
                 7-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Advanced Fire Fighting (5-day)
                             19

                      18 M Y 20
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              NFC Greencastle +353 74 938 1068/1099
           1

                          A
                                                                                                                                                                                                    – 17 July, Belmullet, Co. Mayo,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 – 29 April-03 May, NFC Greencastle                           NFC Castletownbere +353 27 71230
                                                                                                        •   Agents for Mobil, SAR Oils and Fleetguard Filters.                                        contact 087 6837134
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 – 01-05 July, NFC Greencastle                                To confirm the mobile training schedule on the
                                                                                                        •   Bridles and warps made to order.
                                                                                                        •   Full range of cleaning agents, Swarfega 25lt (€70), hand cloths (€20).                                                                               – 07-11 October, NFC Castletownbere                          west coast please contact 087 6837134 and on
                                                                                                        •   Full range of chandlery at competitive prices.                                                                                                                                                                    the east coast contact 087 2334620.
                                                                                                        •   Waterproof clothing including, Grundens, Guy Cotten, Dunlop boots.                                                                                                                                                Funding for the course fee and subsistence costs
                  MARINE AND INDUSTRIAL PAINTERS SINCE 1976                                             •   Ireland’s leading suppliers of ropes to the aquaculture industry,                                                                                                                                                 is available through BIM’s Seafood Training Scheme.
                                                                                                            including combination, polysteel, seine rope, and combi-seine.
                                      SERVICES PROVIDED                                                                                                                                                      Ireland’s EU Structural and                                                           EUROPEAN UNION
      Hydrojetting Specialists - Grit Blasting - Hot Zinc Spraying - High Pressure Cleaning                                                                                                                  Investment Funds Programmes
            Foam Injection Insulation - Resin Flooring - Specialist plastic coatings                                          Sheehan’s Fishing Company Ltd,                                                 2014 - 2020                                                                           This measure is part-financed
                                    FACILITIES/LOCATIONS
           Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Macduff - Covered shiplift for vessels upto 40m
                                                                                                                      Dinish Island, Castletownbere, Co Cork, Ireland
                                                                                                         Tel: 027 70340 - Mob: 086 1546363 - Email: sheehansfishingco@eircom.net
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Co-funded by the Irish Government
                                                                                                                                                                                                            and the European Union
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   by the European Maritime
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   and Fisheries Fund                               www.bim.ie
Skipper MACKEREL U-TURN - Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock hugely underestimated. See pages 2-5
8         News                OBIT                                                                                                             MAY 2019    The Skipper        The Skipper        MAY 2019                                                                                    OBIT         News                  9

         Tom Hassett (1931–2019)                                                                                                                                                  The high tariffs imposed
                                                                                                                                                                               in the 18th and 19th centuries
                                                                                                                                                                               on the importation of salt
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   up campaigns highlighting
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   the injustices against Ireland
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   perpetuated by the CFP, citing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       quota for Ireland, emphasising
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       the more than €1 billion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       worth of fish being caught by      NEWSbrief
                                                                                                                                                                               used for curing—necessary for       data to illuminate the sheer        foreign boats in Irish waters
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           in
         A voice for the South West and a tireless                                                                                                                             preserving catches, especially
                                                                                                                                                                               for export markets—
                                                                                                                                                                               effectively worked to stifle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   volumes of fish being caught
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   by foreign vessels within
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Irish waters and the millions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       every year, as the Irish fleet
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       struggle to survive. This figure
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       at different times has been        VOISINAGE SIGNED INTO LAW

         campaigner for the Irish fishing industry                                                                                                                             the development of an Irish
                                                                                                                                                                               fishing industry while others
                                                                                                                                                                               developed, leaving Irish
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Ireland was ‘free gifting’ the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   EU under the terms of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   CFP.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       estimated as being as much as
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       €2 billion.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          In this respect, Tom firmly
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          BY PRESIDENT HIGGINS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Despite appeals, the Sea
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Fisheries (Amendment) Bill was
                                                                                                                                                                               fishermen with rotting catches         Fighting for a fairer future     believed that the system of        signed into law by President
                                                                                                                                                                               (and more than a century            for the Irish fishing industry to   historic rights, upon which        Michael D Higgins at the
         By Lia ní Aodha                                 finally settling in Cork.                                                                                                                                                                                                        beginning of last month.
                                                         Though oftentimes people                                                                                              later with rotting boats and        the end, Tom alongside Dónal        the CFP’s principles of “equal

         T
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The Bill which was passed by the
                 om Hassett (Strawberry                  weren’t fully aware of it, with                                                                                       ‘miserable quotas’) instead.        O’Driscoll (Castletownbere)         access” and “relative stability”   Dáil in late March, legally entitles
                 Hill, Cork), former                     grandparents in Cromane,                                                                                                 Not just gifted with             would embark on a new               are predicated, is actually a      boats ‘owned and operated’ in the
                 Secretary of the                        as a teenager he spent many                                                                                           words, as an accountant             campaign—Fishing for                system of historic wrongs          North of Ireland to fish within the
         Irish South and West Fish                       summers earning his fishing                                                                                           professionally Tom was adept        Justice—in 2013 calling for a       which should be ended              6-mile limit of the State and has
         Producer’s Organisation                         credentials shovelling mussels                                                                                        at drawing on figures to back       greater allocation of white fish    immediately.                       raised serious concerns among
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Irish fishermen and women.
         (IS&WPO), sadly passed away                     in the more than a century old                                                                                                                                                                                                      Though the President did not
         at the age of 88 just before                    bottom mussel fishery down                                                                                                                                                                                                       to refer the Bill to the Supreme

                                                                                                                                                                                In Memory of the Late
         midnight on the 5th of April.                   there.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Court, the response to those who
            A forward thinker to the                        A father of ten, with one                                                                                                                                                                                                     had written to him requesting
         end, for decades Tom acted                      who decided to go to sea, later                                                                                                                                                                                                  such highlighted that although
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          the Bill has been signed into law, it
         as a representative and
         campaigner on behalf of the
         Irish fishing industry. During
                                                         in life Tom would become an
                                                         outspoken defendant of the
                                                         fishing industry. Particularly
                                                                                                                                                                                Thomas Michael Hassett                                                                                    “remains open to any individual or
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          group to take a case to the courts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          to challenge the constitutionality
         that time his passion and                       active in defending the                                                                                                                                                                                                          of the legislation or any part
         devotion to securing a fair deal                interests of fishermen in                                                                                              By the Irish South and West Fish   accountant who reached the                                             thereof.”
         for the industry never waned.                   the South West, Tom was                                                                                                Producers Organisation CLG         top of the ladder within the                                              Had the Bill, which has since
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Roches Stores Department                                               been signed into effect by the

                                                                                                                                                                                T
                                                         present from the first seeds
            A voice for the South West                                                                                                                                                 he sad passing of           Store Group as their Chief                                             Irish Government, been referred
                                                         of the Irish South & West                                                                                                     Tom Hassett began                                                                                  by the President and found
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Accountant. Tom’s role
                                                         Fishermen’s Organisation’s                                                                                                    a process within            within the IS&WPO was                                                  by the Supreme Court to be
           Born in Dungloe, Co.                          (IS&WFO) beginnings in                                                                                                 the IS&WFPO that has               Company Secretary. In that                                             constitutional, no other Court
         Donegal, as a young child                       the offices of the Union                                                                                               generated a lot of discussion      role, he added a professional
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          would have the jurisdiction to
         Tom moved to Kerry before                       Hall Fishermen’s Company                                                                                                                                                                                                         question the validity of the law.
                                                                                                                                                                                and the telling of many            element to the running of                                                 The four mussel fishermen,
                                                                                                                                                                                stories of Tom’s passion for       this representative body that                                          whose legal representatives
                                                                                                                                                                                Ireland’s fishing industry.        grew in stature and became                                             had written to the President
              A Career as a                                                                               in Skibbereen and for two          and the unfairness of the
                                                                                                                                                                                   Tom’s tireless work
                                                                                                                                                                                through the IS&WFPO
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   an important contributor
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   to developing policies and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          asking that the Bill be referred
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          to the Supreme Court, are still

              Marine Engineer                                                                                                                                                   began in the 1990s and             regulations that would govern                                          awaiting correspondence from the
                                                                                                          decades was instrumental to        European fishing system, Tom       continued through the              the industry in the decades                                            Commission on the matter.
                                                                                                          the organisation’s activities—     spoke out against what he saw      decades until his retirement       that followed.
                                                                                                          only retiring from his post as     as serious injustices.             as Secretary at the end of            Tom’s dedication was
                                                                                                          Secretary in 2015.                                                                                                                                                              END OF THE ROAD FOR PULSE
                                                                                                                                                                                2015. Tom saw a need for a         summed up by the current                                               TRAWLING IN EUROPE’S
              If you have a flair for machinery and modern technology,                                       Possessing the rare ability        A fair deal for Irish           voice for the fishermen in         Secretary in these words,           11 years. This report stated       WATERS?
              there’s a special place on the marine team for you.                                         to paint a picture succinctly,     fishermen and women                the South West, which he           “Tom ate, drank and slept the       that in 2006 over 18-metre
              Because every vessel needs a marine       Marine engineering is a learning curve
                                                                                                          Tom was exceptionally capable                                         once stated were treated as        work involved in the Irish          vessels numbered a mere               In line with recent votes in
              engineer to maintain and repair all the   that doesn’t stop when you land a job.            of conveying a message                Tom, along with the             “second class citizens”.           South and West, you knew            280. Now in 2019, it’s down        Europe on the matter, following
              machinery – and there’s a lot of gear     It’s a fast-moving area that continues            effectively. Calling for tougher   IS&WFO, always believed               He was not alone in his         when he rang you it was going       to a meagre 161 vessels.           on from consultation with the
              on a boat. From the main engines          to develop. Technical know-how and                action from the authorities        that if an issue concerned         views and together with            to be a long, long conversation        The Staff of the Irish          Commission and EU member
                                                                                                                                                                                another huge figure in             for the passion always came         South and West have many           states, last month in Strasbourg
              to electrical generators, pumps,          computer skills help of course; but               with respect to the ramming        the inherent interests of Irish                                                                                                              the European Parliament voted
              refrigeration, hydraulics and winches,    there’s no substitute for a curious
                                                                                                          of Irish vessels that was taking   fishermen, membership of           the industry, Mr Dónal             through and no one could            fond memories of Tom
              the onboard marine engineer is a          mind, a creative imagination and a                                                                                                                                                                                                to finally ban the controversial
                                                                                                          place off the south and south-     the organisation was not           O’Driscoll, a native of Sherkin    ever question his unselfish         and recall returning to the        practice of pulse trawling from July
              vital and highly respected member         logical approach to decision making.
                                                                                                          west coasts of Ireland in the      paramount and, as evidenced        Island who relocated to            dedication to Irelands fishing      office on many Monday              2021.
              of the crew. And it’s a very satisfying   Oh, and communication skills and the
              feeling knowing that everything           ability to work as part of a team help            late 1980s and early 1990s,        by his many campaigns,             Castletownbere in the early        Industry”.                          mornings where they were              Some 79 Dutch are currently
              on board is running smoothly like a       as well! If this sounds like you, then            Tom drew attention to the          often advocated on behalf of       1960’s, with both forming             Tom had a rare skill in          greeted with the floor             engaged in pulse fishing. On
              well-oiled machine because you’ve         you sound like the kind of person who             realities of the situation with    non-members and the wider          an unbreakable friendship          getting a very complicated          covered with pages sent            account of the ban most of these
              done your job. Where problems             should be thinking about a career as a
                                                                                                          a single word—the aggressive       fishing community.                 through their love of the sea,     message with an enormous            by fax from Tom whose              boats will lose their licences this
              arise, you analyse and solve them.        marine engineer.                                                                                                        made the historic decision         amount of information               thought processes and              June. The Dutch Fisheries Minister
                                                                                                          behaviour of the foreign              When he got into the job        to set about the setting up of                                                                            has, however, indicated an
              You use your judgement – that’s           BIM’s Engineer Officer (Fishing Vessel)                                                                                                                    relating to a highly regulated      dedication never stopped.
              where your training helps. And all                                                          vessels involved was ‘piratical’   with the IS&WFO the first          the fishermen’s representative     industry across to the general      Tom is sorely missed               intention to appeal the ban.
                                                        Certificate of Competency Class 3
              the mathematics that used to be           Course – as approved by the Irish
                                                                                                          and could be treated as such       thing Tom did was pose the         organisation known today as        public. He always managed to        within the Irish South and            Under the new Technical
              theoretical – it’s a vital practical                                                        under international law.           question: Why was the Irish                                                                                                                  Measure Regulation, which was
                                                        Department of Transport, Tourism &                                                                                      the Irish South and West Fish      get his point across in a way       West Organisation. His             voted in by a wide margin of 571
              tool when you’re on a boat or in a        Sport – is held at our National Fisheries            Alongside engaging the          fleet in such a state?             Producers Organisation CLG.        that looked simplistic and          contribution was not only
              marine control room. Because don’t                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          to 60, a small number of boats (no
                                                        College, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.                relevant authorities, Tom             In line with                       Tom spent thousands             easy to understand but was          at a local level but also at       more than 15) will be allowed to
              forget that as well as maintenance,
              marine engineers are the people who       Next course commences in                          tirelessly engaged the Irish       historical accounts and            of hours working for the           complex in its nature.              National and European level.       continue with the practice until
              actually design, develop and produce      September 2019.                                   media highlighting the issues      contemporaneous scholarly          members of this newly                 This message is never so         His dedication, his voice and      2021. In the interim, Member
              all that equipment. So if machinery       An application form can be obtained               affecting the Irish industry and   thinking, Tom traced answers       formed organisation meeting        relevant as it is today with the    his passion will be missed         States are legally entitled ban
              and technology is what floats your        on www.bim.ie and forwarded                       it was not uncommon for his        to questions relating to           with countless officials in the    ever-increasing pressures on        by all.                            pulse trawling within
              boat, there’s a career in the seafood     to the National Fisheries College,                children to see RTÉ crews set      Ireland’s uneven development       Department of the Marine           those struggling to remain             May he rest in peace.           their 12-mile limit and,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              TS
              industry for you!                         Greencastle, Co. Donegal.                                                                                               and elected politicians                                                                                   thus far, France
                                                                                                          up in the back garden of their     and mismanaged fisheries                                              in our industry—evident in                                             has moved to
                                                        NFC Greencastle
                                                        +353 74 938 1068/1099
                                                                                                          home. From the government’s
                                                                                                          heavy-handed approach
                                                                                                                                             to the country’s history as
                                                                                                                                             a colonial subject and, in
                                                                                                                                                                                and pioneered the first
                                                                                                                                                                                engagement with officials of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   a recently commissioned
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   report by our current Minister
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The Skipper team would
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       like to express their sincere
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          do so.            E
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           K ES
                                                                                                                                                                                the EEC now known as the           Michael Creed where it              sympathies to Tom’s family,                       C
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       JA LIV
                                                                                                          towards fishing communities        particular, to the salt taxes
                                                                                                          to the international pressure      imposed on Ireland under           European Union.                    showed a catastrophic culling       extended family, friends and
              www.bim.ie
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    FE VE
                                                                                                          on fish stocks in Irish waters     British rule.                         Tom was a well-respected        of our industry in the past         colleagues around the coast.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  I
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 L A
8518_BIM_Irish Skipper 101mm x 150mm.indd 1                                                   17/04/2019 14:56
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     S
Skipper MACKEREL U-TURN - Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock hugely underestimated. See pages 2-5
10      News            BIM                                                                                                                                                                        MAY 2019                                 The Skipper                                The Skipper          MAY 2019                                                                                                                 News      11

     Challenges and opportunities for ireland’s seafood sector                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Irish Skipper Expo relocates to Limerick for 2020 show
     Though specifying 2018 as a year of “challenges and opportunities”, BIM’s The Business of                                                                                                                                                                                                                              show in the existing venue, and         UL Sports Arena
     Seafood 2018 report indicates a largely positive outlook for the Irish seafood sector.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 recent years presented us with
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            many challenges due to space
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            restrictions. Among the comments
     A SNAPSHOT OF IRELAND’S                 dips may be explained by reduced

                                                                                     €1.25bn
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       THE BUSINESS OF SEAFOOD
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            from both visitors and exhibitors

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2018
     SEAFOOD SECTOR                          volumes of key species (i.e. salmon
                                             and mackerel) being traded and a
                                                                                                                                                                                       3.4%                                                                                                                                 was although the Galway Bay
                                                                                                                                                                                       GROWTH                                                                                                                               Hotel is a great venue, as the show
        The report, which was launched       drop in the price of sterling.                                                                                                            on 2017
                                                                                      Estimated GDP of Irish Seafood industry                                                                                                                                                                                               grew, it was becoming increasingly
     last month, highlights that
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            cramped and not easily accessible.”
     despite “uncertainties around           ASIA OVERTAKES THE UK AS                                                          The Irish Seafood Economy 2018
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Next year, UL Sport
     Brexit and challenges around            SECOND BIGGEST EXPORT

                                                                                         %
                                                                                                                               Domestic Consumption        Private Investment

                                                                                        26
                                                                                                                               €486M €267M                                                                                                                                                                                  Arena, based in the grounds
     sustainability and supply”, Ireland’s   MARKET

                                                                                                                       39%
                                                                                                      GDP
                                                                                                                                                                                     2,127                        288                   158                  14,359
                                                                                             €1.25bn*
                                                                                                                               +3.2% YOY                   +21.7% YOY
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            of University of Limerick,
     seafood economy grew by €40
                                                                                                                                                                                       Number of                 Number of              Number of            people are employed
                                                                                                                               Government Investment       Exports - Imports        registered fishing          aquaculture              seafood           around our coast (direct

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            will hold all the exhibitors

                                                                                       14%
                                                                                                                               €170M €322M
                                                                                                                                                                                     vessels in 2018          production units          processors        and indirect employment)

     million (+3.4%) in 2018 to reach           Our main export markets for

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      N
                                                                                                      21%
                                                                                                                               +0% YOY                     -6.5% YOY                Domestic Sales Value                                                                                                                    in one spacious hall, enabling more
     an estimated total value of €1.25       2018 comprised the EU, Asia and                                                                                                                                                     €297M                         €189M
     billion.                                the UK. Though total exports
                                                                                                                               * Actual total €1,245M
                                                                                                                                                                                    €486M                                        Retail Value                  Food Service Value              ext year’s event is being    and even bigger stands, providing
                                                                                      Our Biggest Fishing Ports                                                                                                        SALMON (Up 11%)                       COD (Down 2%)                     relocated to Limerick        a much better overall visitor
        Private investment (€267             were down 4%, exports to Asia            (Value of Landings)
                                                                                                                                                                                    Top Selling
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       €116M                                 €47M
                                                                                                                                                                                    Species
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               where it will be staged      experience. A large outside display
     million)—driven by changes              grew by 23% (with a 68% increase
     in lending practices, increased         in exports to China). This means
                                                                                                                                                      €370M                            €330M                                                                                          in a new fit-for-purpose exhibition   area located adjacent to the visitor
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         €653M
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      hall. This follows 15 successful      entrance will offer an opportunity
                                                                                                                                                      of seafood was landed by         worth of seafood was
                                                                                          Killybegs         Castletownbere
                                                                                                                                                      Irish and non-Irish vessels
     confidence in the sector, moderate      that with a market value of €96
                                                                                                                                                                                       imported into Ireland in 2018                     Export Value
                                                                                       €114M                €93M                                      into our ports in 2018:                                                                                                                                                                                                                            A recent event held at UL
                                                                                                                                                      Irish landings €270M             €219M                                             -4%                                          years of Skipper Expo Int.            to showcase much larger products
     fuel prices and “a relentless           million per annum, Asia has                                                                              Non-Irish €100M                  worth of seafood was                              growth on 2017
                                                                                                                                                                                       imported from the UK (66%)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Galway where both exhibitors          and boats. UL is also home to the
     growth in the demand for seafood        overtaken the UK as Ireland’s
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      and visitors continuously             National 50m Swimming Pool                Sharon Boyle says: “In the         work in supporting the event. We
     globally”—along with strong             second main regional export                                                                                                            Ireland’s Main Export Markets
                                                                                      €176M                          -15%             €546M                             -10%
                                                                                                                                                                                             EU
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      provided valuable feedback, and       where we will continue to host         interest of being fair to all our     really look forward to welcoming
     government support (€170 million)       market. Conversely, the value of         Value of Aquaculture            growth          Value of Irish Seafood            growth                           (excl. UK)              ASIA                          UK                                                           Safety Demo’s.                         customers and offering everyone       exhibitors and visitors to Limerick
                                                                                                                                                                                             €373M                               €96M                          €81M                   it is based on this feedback that
     are cited as fuelling this growth.      exports to the EU was down 8%,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      show organisers Mara Media               The venue offers many other         the same platform to exhibit,         next year, where the show
        That said, the sector did show       while those to the UK fell by 4%.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      are announcing “Irish Skipper         benefits, including onsite catering    UL will provide an arena that is      promises to be even bigger and
     signs of slowing last year, with the       Driven by demand in the             decrease in mackerel landings and                                                               outlook, unfortunately, was more                                                                  Expo 2020” will be held at UL         and bar facilities, its ease of        more appropriate to the size of       better than before, and which will
     value of trade (exports-imports)        Chinese market, the value of           consequently a drop of 10% in the                                                               challenging for the drift and fixed                                                               Sport Arena, Limerick on 13th &       accessibility and excellent car        the show, giving it the space it      have scope for future growth.”
     falling by 6.5%. Though domestic        shellfish grew significantly during    value of exports for that species.                                                              net fleet.
     consumption was up 3.2%, the            the year, with prices for crab
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      14th March.                           parking facilities. There is an        requires, where all exhibitors are
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Sharon Boyle of Mara Media        excellent road network to UL,          visible in one room allowing freer       Irish Skipper Expo will be held
     value of exports and imports were       increasing by 41%, Dublin Bay          EMPLOYMENT FOR RURAL                                                                            ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE                                                                         says: “The show in Galway has         which is located just off the M7,      movement of visitors in the aisles.   at UL Sport Arena on 13th and
     down 4% and 2% respectively. The        prawns by 22% and oysters by           COASTAL COMMUNITIES
     value of imports from the UK—our        13%. Prices for mackerel were
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      seen incredible growth with the       and Shannon Airport is only 35            “Galway has been a great           14th March 2020, opening
                                                                                                                                                                                       Despite the challenges and                                                                     number of exhibitors more than        kilometres from the show venue,        location for the expo over the        times 10am – 6pm on Friday
     main import market—fell by 5%.          also up in 2018 (4%), though              In terms of employment, a total                                                              ongoing Brexit risks, however,
        According to the report, these       fluctuations in quotas resulted in a
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      doubling over the last 15 years.      from where there is an excellent       years and we would like to thank      13th and 10am – 4pm on Saturday
                                                                                    of 14,359 adults were employed                                                                  in terms of an overall outlook                                                                    We simply can’t expand the            range of scheduled flights.            the Galway Bay Hotel for all their    14th March. Entry is free.
                                                                                    (direct and indirect) across the                                                                for the sector, the report states:
                                                                                    sector (i.e. fishing, aquaculture and                                                           “The economic fundamentals of

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       John Kerry to deliver
                                                                                    retail). 3231 of these were directly                                                            the sector are robust and point
                                                                                    employed in fisheries. Though                                                                   to long-term sustainability and
                                                                                    rural communities right around the                                                              growth with key species such as
                                                                                    coast depend on the sector for their
                                                                                    livelihoods, when broken down
                                                                                    by region, Donegal is especially
                                                                                                                                                                                    organic salmon, mackerel, brown
                                                                                                                                                                                    crab and Dublin Bay prawns all
                                                                                                                                                                                    growing in demand in our key
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       keynote at Our Ocean
                                                                                    dependent on the sector—with the
                                                                                    sector generating 12% of coastal
                                                                                    employment in the area.
                                                                                                                                                                                    markets.
                                                                                                                                                                                       “With growing consumer
                                                                                                                                                                                    demand for seafood at home and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Wealth Summit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      J
                                                                                                                                                                                    lucrative new markets opening up                                                                      ohn Kerry, former US
                                                                                    PERFORMANCE OF THE FLEET                                                                        abroad, the outlook is positive, and                                                                  Secretary of State and
                                                                                                                                                                                    with increasing investment and                                                                        environmental activist, has
                                                                                       In total, 2018 saw €370M worth                                                               innovation, Ireland’s reputation is                                                               been announced as a keynote
                                                                                    of fish landed into Irish ports                                                                 set to rise over the year ahead.”
                                                                                    (down 8% on 2017). €270M of this                                                                   Echoing these sentiments on
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      speaker at Ireland’s flagship blue
                                                                                    was landed by Irish boats which—                                                                launching the report BIM CEO,                                                                     economy conference ‘Our Ocean
                                                                                    driven by falling volumes of                                                                    Jim O’Toole said: “Investment                                                                     Wealth’ at City Hall, Cork on
                                                                                    pelagic and demersal species being                                                              is happening at every level of                                                                    June 9th & 10th.
                                                                                    landed—represents a 5% decrease                                                                 the sector from investment in                                                                        The former presidential
                                                                                    on 2017.                                                                                        new fishing gear, improvements                                                                    candidate is visiting Ireland to
                                                                                       The report estimates that this                                                               to vessels to make them more                                                                      share his insights on climate                                 John Kerry
                                                                                    fall in volume, however, was                                                                    sustainable, to capital investment                                                                change and the action required
                                                                                    to some extent offset by a rise                                                                 in processing industries.                                                                         to sustainably and effectively        island nations in the Pacific,
                                                                                    in prices for the 3 top landed                                                                     “The sector has been responding                                                                manage our oceans to ensure the       the Caribbean, and the Indian
                                                                                    species by value for the Irish                                                                  to a challenging environment.
                                                                                    fleet—mackerel (+19%), Dublin                                                                   Despite the continued uncertainty
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      health of our planet.                 Ocean, as well as more than
                                                                                    Bay prawns (13%) and brown crab                                                                 brought about by Brexit there’s still                                                                ‘Our Ocean Wealth’                 500 national and international
                                                                                    (+58%).                                                                                         an underlying confidence in the                                                                   is an output of                       delegates.
                                                                                       The rise in crab prices was good                                                             sector as evidenced by the growth                                                                 Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth,             Participants will discuss the
                                                                                    news for the inshore sector in                                                                  of investment.”                                                                                   the Government’s integrated           unique challenges faced by island
                                                                                    particular, and consequently had                                                                   With reference to the growth                                                                   plan for Ireland’s marine             nations, share stories of island
                                                                                    knock-on benefits for the coastal
                                                                                    communities in which those men
                                                                                                                                                                                    of the Asian market for Irish
                                                                                                                                                                                    seafood, Mr O’Toole further
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      sector, which aims to double
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      the value of the marine
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            life and identity, connections to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            the ocean, historical links and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      COME VISIT US ON
                                                                                    and women engaged in that sector                                                                commented: “The Irish seafood
                                                                                    are embedded.                                                                                   sector is noted for its resilience
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      economy’s contribution to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      GDP by 2030. This year the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            new partnerships. The Summit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            will identify practical ways that
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       STAND NO. 157
                                                                                       Regarding Ireland’s offshore                                                                 and ability to adapt to changing
                                                                                    fleet, with 178 vessels spending                                                                political and socio-economic
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Summit will welcome more              island states can work better
                                                                                    34,984 days at sea in total, the                                                                circumstances. The significant                                                                    than 30 representatives from          together, through partnership,
                                                                                    fleet generated a gross profit                                                                  increase in exports to Asia                                                                       island states around the world        to address threats, manage ocean
                                                                                    of roughly €58 million in 2017.                                                                 over the last five years by 247%                                                                  to Cork, including senior             resources and build sustainable
                                                                                    Though most segments recorded                                                                   demonstrates the strength and                                                                     political representatives from        blue economies.
                                                                                    positive gross and net profits, the                                                             diversification of the sector.”
Skipper MACKEREL U-TURN - Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock hugely underestimated. See pages 2-5
12     News          SFF                                                                                        MAY 2019    The Skipper        The Skipper       MAY 2019                                                                                      SFF     News           13

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Scotland Science / SFF            dataset which can be used
     We simply must be out of the CFP by December 2020                                                                                        “...the CFP is a classic instance of office-bound
                                                                                                                                               bureaucrats, who only ever see a fishing boat
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Observer Scheme as agreed by
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    the Fisheries Management and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      in several ways within the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      evolving ICES framework
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Conservation Group (FMAC);        for assessing data-deficient
                                                                                                                                                on their Mediterranean holidays, trying to                             Support industry-led
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    initiatives such as the Gear
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      stocks.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The Gear Innovation
                                       instance of office-bound            Bertie Armstrong,
                                                                                                                                                     force square pegs into round holes.”                           Innovation and Technology         and Technology Advisory
     Bertie Armstrong,                 bureaucrats, who only ever                                                                                                                                                   Advisory Group (GITAG) with       Group (GITAG) has now
                                                                           Chief Executive of the
     Chief Executive of the            see a fishing boat on their         Scottish Fishermen’s                                                                                                                     the aim of testing selective      entered its final year, with
     Scottish Fishermen’s              Mediterranean holidays,             Federation                                                         fishermen on deck to wear         and Aberdeen University).           methods of fishing which help     the project due to end in
     Federation                        trying to force square pegs                                                                            a Personal Flotation Device       The focus is always on              address potential problems        December 2019. GITAG
                                       into round holes.                                                                                      or use a lifeline. A boat can,    sustainability – profitable         relating to the Landing           aims to address research
                                          In the case of the UK v the                                                                         through a documented risk         fisheries and healthy stocks.       Obligation (for whitefish         and development gaps by
                                       CFP, your honour, I adduce                                                                             assessment, be absolved of           This branch established          and Nephrops fisheries);          working with key partners
                                       the unworkable landings                                                                                the requirement if the risk       the Science Network, a forum           Assist Marine Scotland         including industry, Marine
                                       obligation, the flawed                                                                                 of falling overboard has been     for scientists employed by          Science in collection of          Scotland Policy, Marine
                                       mackerel stock assessment                                                                              eliminated.                       Scottish fishing industry           biological data on the            Scotland Science, producer
                                       methodology, the embedding                                                                                The new regulations cover      associations to benefit from        industry/science demersal         organisations and Seafish
                                       of corporately-funded NGOs                                                                             many new aspects such as          knowledge exchange and              trawling survey of anglerfish     to promote and encourage
                                       with questionable motives                                                                              medicals and the requirement      collaboration on scientific         (Lophius spp.);                   innovation from the fishing
                                       into consultation processes.                                                                           for all fishermen to have         issues of shared interest,             Provide practical advice       industry as a whole. Funded
                                       Those are simply the first                                                                             working agreements. SFF           and from representation             and support for science/          by the European Maritime
                                       three that come to mind. The                                                                           Safety Officer, Derek Cardno      at meetings regarding               industry projects which           and Fisheries Fund and the
                                                                                                                                                                                the Scottish industry’s

     L
                                       files of evidence would exceed                                                                         will welcome fishermen to                                             require direct observations       Scottish Government, the
              ike the rest of the      the size even of Jean-Claude                                                                           our stand at Skipper Expo         engagement with science.            at sea on commercial vessels      project is led and managed
              country, all of us       Juncker’s bar bill.                                                                                    Int. Aberdeen 2019 with              The SFF also manages the         (e.g. commissioned under          by the Scottish Fishermen’s
              working in the fishing      Flippancy aside, it is worth                                                                        any questions about how           IOOS (Independent On-board          Fisheries Innovation Scotland     Federation’s wholly owned
              industry had expected    stating unequivocally that                                                                             to comply with the new            Observer Scheme), which             or Fishing Industry Science       subsidiary company SFF
     an outcome to the first phase     UK management of our                                                                                   requirements.                     provides highly trained observers   Alliance);                        Services.
     of the Brexit process by now.     natural fisheries resources                                                                               On the policy front,           for every science/industry             Provide observer coverage         This year has started with
        We are ready to move           will improve on the CFP                                                                                representation of fisheries       project that requires data          and sampling for a scientific     four confirmed projects
     on to the next phase of the       in all aspects, but most                                                                               interests to the renewables       collection on board boats and       monitoring fishery for herring    which are well advanced and
     battle, which is to ensure the    importantly of all in relation                                                                         industry has become a major       has been running for 11 years.      in ICES Division 6a, 7b and 7c    one new proposal which is
     Fisheries Agreement that must     to sustainability.                                                                                     issue over the last 10 years as      Phase VI of the IOOS             as advised by ICES;               focusing on cod avoidance in
     be reached between the UK            Some NGOs with publicity          The SFF are delighted to        Association and the Shetland      fishers’ perceptions of loss of   commenced on 1st                       Support for science/industry   the North Sea. A number of
     and Brussels leaves no scope      targets to fulfil and budgets      be sponsoring Skipper Expo        Fishermen’s Association.          grounds has increased. While      January 2017, expanding             Clyde Inshore Demersal            the confirmed projects have
     for erosion of our right as a     to secure have, since the          Int. Aberdeen 2019.                  As such, the SFF has a         society needs new energy          and developing the previous         Survey;                           concentrated on issues in
     Coastal State fully to manage     UK announced it would be                                             very democratic, bottom-up        sources, the production of        phases which were all                  Maintain the flexibility       the West Coast of Scotland
     fisheries within our waters       leaving the EU, suggested             That said, we recognise        structure, with the impetus       sustainable fish protein should   supported by either the             to provide support to any         as a result of the current
     – controlling access, quota       that stewardship of fish           that anyone looking in over       for what we do coming from        be protected for the future.      European Fisheries Fund (EFF)       industry/science related          situation regarding quotas
     and policy – and resisting any    stocks by the UK and Scottish      the past two years might          wheelhouse and deck.                 The SFF’s science policy       or European Maritime and            project requiring a strong data   and fishing opportunities.
     attempt to grant access to EU     governments would put              think the SFF was entirely           In addition to promoting       branch, overseen by Elena         Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and           backup.                           These projects are looking at
     markets in return for access to   sustainability at risk. There is   focused on Brexit. Of             the interests of our              Balestri, guarantees fishing      Scottish Government.                                                  the use of panels, modified
     UK waters.                        simply no basis for this fear.     course, with the prospect of      constituent associations,         industry involvement in a            Through managed                    An additional valuable          separator nets and skates and
        Lamentably, our politicians    The Scottish fishing industry      substantial additional catching   we aim to ensure a viable         whole swathe of areas, from       deployment of a pool of six         input is the provision            ray avoidance measures. In
     have got themselves into          has no interest in jeopardising    opportunity outside the CFP,      and sustainable future for        MPAs to strategies on birds       fisheries observers, and a          of information on data-           the North Sea a four-panel
     an almighty muddle, and           its own future. Sustainability     and therefore a much bigger       the fleet in terms of both        and cetaceans, and manages        project coordinator/data            deficient stocks to avoid         cod end will be trialled to
     at the time of writing, we        will continue to be the            industry trading greater          economics and environmental       industry interaction with         analyst, the project aims to:       the automatic reductions          assess its effect on levels
     are continuing to maintain        primary concern.                   volumes of fish and employing     responsibility. We also           Marine Scotland Policy,                                               in Total Allowable Catch          of unwanted catch. The
     pressure on ministers and            The industry believes that      many more people, the future      work hard to improve the          science institutes (ICES            Provide greatly enhanced          for these stocks. Extended        outcomes of these projects
     civil servants in 10 Downing      sovereign control of some of       has been at the forefront of      perception of the fishing         for stock assessments,            data for stock assessment           coverage from SFF                 will be published once the
     Street, Dexeu and Defra           the richest fishing grounds        our endeavours.                   industry, making sure its         Marine Scotland Science           as part of the joint Marine         contributes to a more robust      charters are complete.
     for a favourable resolution.      in the world will lead to             However, there is              voice is heard everywhere                                                                                                                    The project is an example
     Whatever the final shape          improved management of             considerably more to the SFF      and correcting erroneous                                                                                                                  of collaborative working
     of the deal, the UK simply        stocks, more accurate and          than lobbying in the corridors    statements made about all                                                                                                                 between industry, science,
     must be out of the Common         robust scientific assessments      of power for favourable policy    aspects of fisheries.                                                                                                                     policy and gear experts.
     Fisheries Policy (CFP) by         and much closer collaboration      outcomes.                            The SFF plays a key role                                                                                                               Detailed information is
     December 2020 at the latest.      between independent                   The SFF is an umbrella         in helping to attract new                                                                                                                 collected using highly
        By now, most people            scientists and industry            organisation for the major        entrants to the industry                                                                                                                  trained observers which is
     reading this know the reasons:    operatives.                        associations that represent       and ensuring professional                                                                                                                 then processed and analysed
     two-thirds of fish in UK waters      A key feature of visits         some 400 vessels, from            standards of training and                                                                                                                 resulting in an assessment
     (the Exclusive Economic Zone      to Norway and Iceland              inshore creel boats to pelagic    safety are met.                                                                                                                           of the gear’s performance.
     recognised in international       by Scottish industry               trawlers, and the interests of       New regulations covering                                                                                                               The completed summaries
     law) being granted every          representatives in 2017 was        the vast majority of Scottish     the safety and welfare of                                                                                                                 for each GITAG project can
     year, free of charge, to non-     learning about the systems         fishermen: the Anglo-Scottish     fishermen, regardless of their                                                                                                            be found at https://www.sff.
     UK vessels, when following        deployed to ensure and             Fishermen’s Association, the      employment status, were                                                                                                                   co.uk/gitag/
     the Norwegian or Icelandic        improve sustainability in those    Fife Fishermen’s Association,     introduced in 2019.                                                                                                                          There is still an
     model of retaining almost         major fishing nations. While       the Fishing Vessel Agents            They provide protection                                                                                                                opportunity for industry
     all indigenous quota would        different, both systems are        & Owners Association, the         and place responsibilities on                                                                                                             to come forward with any
     boost our coastal communities     superior to that of the CFP,       Mallaig and North-West            all, from owners to deckhands.                                                                                                            further ideas which they
     through hundreds of millions      and the UK and Scotland            Fishermen’s Association, the      The Maritime and Coastguard                                                                                                               have to help them meet the
     of pounds of income and           will look to the east and to       Orkney Fisheries Association,     Agency has used the new                                                                                                                   challenges presented by the
     thousands of new jobs.            the north-west as they seek        the Scottish Pelagic              regulations to support changes                                                                                                            Landing Obligation. Further
        Beyond this glaring            to build a new sustainability      Fishermen’s Association, the      in health and safety, beginning                                                                                                           information can be found at
     injustice, the CFP is a classic   framework.                         Scottish White Fish Producers’    with the requirement for                                                                                                                  the weblink above.
Skipper MACKEREL U-TURN - Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock hugely underestimated. See pages 2-5 Skipper MACKEREL U-TURN - Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock hugely underestimated. See pages 2-5 Skipper MACKEREL U-TURN - Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock hugely underestimated. See pages 2-5
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