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5 December 2019
Issue: 5492 fishingnews.co.uk
TOUGHER DISCARDS POLICING
TURN TO PAGE 2 FOR THE FULL REPORT
Margaret of Ladram sets new Brixham record
… on first trip back after Rugby World Cup
The Waterdance-owned beamer Margaret of Ladram E
199 broke the Brixham record landing for a single trip last
Margaret of Ladram leaves Brixham
month when 7.5t of Dover sole, auctioned on the market
fishmarket after landing her record-
floor by Brixham Trawler Agents, grossed £125,630. breaking catch.
Margaret of Ladram skipper Adam Cowan-Dickie
– whose son Luke plays rugby for England and Exeter
Chiefs – turned the boat around and went straight back
to sea, without even waiting to see what his record catch
had made.
The record-breaking trip was his first after returning
from watching Luke Cowan-Dickie play for England
during the recent Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Skipper Adam Cowan-Dickie said: “I’ve been
managing my sole quota and my days at sea for the
past 11 months, just so I could try and break this record.
I found this little patch of good fishing just before the
World Cup started, but I was unable to fish it because
of bad weather. I obviously couldn’t miss the chance to
watch my son playing in the World Cup, so I was keeping
my fingers crossed while I was away watching Luke
that no one else would find it. After being in Japan for
so long, I ended up spending a small fortune, so I really
needed to land this catch!
“Many people don’t realise that this was a sustainable
catch. I have my sole quota, which is based on what can
be sustainably caught, given to me in January every year.
It is then down to me to manage my yearly quota how I
want throughout the year. Because of 15 years of careful
management, the sole population off Brixham has been
increasing year on year.
“This record wasn’t just broken by me. It was a team the massive financial investment put in from the vessel’s
effort and the result of years of hard work, right from owners at Greendale, to all my crew and shore support
staff, as well as the team at Brixham who sold the fish for
us to be able to break the record.”
The 33m beam trawler Margaret of Ladram has been
the jewel of the Greendale fleet since the Exeter-based
company bought her from Belgium in 2012. Her new
owners carried out an extensive refit, including a new main
engine and a complete machinery overhaul, and she has
been skippered by Adam Cowan-Dickie since 2015.
Barry Young, managing director of Brixham Trawler
Agents, said: “It is fantastic news that Margaret of Ladram
has broken our longstanding Brixham port record for fish
landed, with a value of £126,000. Not only is Adam a very Right: Margaret of Ladram skipper Adam Cowan-Dickie...
good hardworking skipper, but he’s managed to pin down Left: … and his son Luke, who played for England in the
the fish using a lot of skill and a bit of luck. Results like this Rugby World Cup final loss to South Africa.
don’t just happen overnight – this is the result of years of
investment and hard work from everyone involved in the Carter, who farm at Ladram Bay and Greendale, and
industry. is named after their late mother Margaret Carter. The
“This is a good sign that things are finally improving, brothers have been involved in the fishing industry
and hopefully, if we manage to get a positive Brexit, things for over 50 years, starting out in the 1960s with one
can only improve for us further. There has been a bit of 6m beach boat fishing from Ladram Bay. Today, the
celebrating going on down on the quay today, but not Waterdance fleet – part of the Greendale Group of
by Adam and his crew, who are already back out at sea family-owned companies – has over 20 boats, selling
The skipper and crew of Margaret of Ladram
working hard on next week’s landing.” their catches daily via the Carter brothers’ farm shop at
celebrating their record catch.
The boat is owned by brothers Robin and Rowan Greendale, just outside Exeter.
2 NEWS Visit us at fishingnews.co.uk and on Twitter @YourFishingNews 5 December 2019
MMO set to toughen discards enforcement in 2020
End of ‘education’ phase of discards ban
The MMO will be taking a tougher line on enforcing the landing
obligation/discards ban next year, after a period of educating
fishermen on the requirements of the rules, reports Tim Oliver
DEFRA official Andrew infrastructure changes were being fostered co-ownership of the
Newlands told a recent meeting made, with storage bins being problems and co-management.
of the Seafish Discards Action increasingly installed at landing He warned of a critical period
Group – now renamed the ports and harbours. ahead, with the proposed heavy
Fisheries Management and DEFRA and the MMO are cut in the 2020 North Sea cod
Innovation Group (FMIG) – that currently exploring the potential TAC, and the Commission’s rigid
during the phasing-in period of use of remote electronic adherence to cutting TACs to
the discards ban, much of 2018 monitoring (REM) using onboard achieve MSY by 2020, creating
and the early months of 2019 CCTV cameras, alongside other major choke risks in mixed
had been focused on ensuring monitoring and enforcement fisheries next year.
that fishermen had the right tools, as a cost-effective and He also warned of the danger
information to be able to comply efficient way of monitoring fishing that continued illicit discarding,
with the new requirements. activity and ensuring compliance. in fisheries where there was extra
He said: “Following this initial Some trials of REM have quota allocated on the basis
period of education, in English already been undertaken, and that there would be no discards,
waters the MMO is now moving have reduced discarding rates would lead to an increase in
towards a more enforcement- ‘significantly’ – for example, in a fishing mortality, and thus to lower
centred approach – where number of fisheries throughout TACs.
control and enforcement the UK since 2011, and in the He said that the industry hoped
efforts will be increased to English North Sea as part of a that the new fisheries bill after
identify non-compliance and to fully documented fisheries (FDF) Brexit would give scope for a
improve the accuracy of catch scheme, managed by the MMO. more workable discards ban.
recording, particularly in high- NFFO chief executive Barrie Seafish gear technologist
risk fisheries.” Deas, who gave a roundup of Mike Montgomerie described
This enforcement-centred where the discards ban stands in the latest selective gears that
approach includes: 2019, said there were two schools had been approved in 2019 by
● Recording the last-hauled of thought on enforcing the policy. the MMO, Marine Scotland, and
catch on vessels to assess One was that the discards ban DAERA in Northern Ireland, to
the catch profile (rather than could not be simply imposed give fishermen more options to
only what has been retained by heavy policing, and that it help them meet the demands of
onboard) required ‘a major cultural shift’ in the landing obligation. He said
● Increasing the number of attitudes if it was to work. It was that the EU revised technical
inspections of landings and at an ‘extremely complex’ issue, conservation regulations will also
sea and the authorities would need give fishermen more options to
● Rolling out the under-10m to work in collaboration with the improve selectivity.
catch-reporting system industry to address the issues The new approved gears he
● Introducing inshore vessel involved. Within this view, REM described included the benthos “Is it just me, or has this whole bloody landing obligation
monitoring systems had a role to play, but not as a release panel, flip-up rope, just got a bit more bloody serious?”
● Increasing the scientific ‘top-down’ heavy-handed control Flemish panel, CEFAS net grid,
evidence base of the state of the mechanism. net grid selectivity device, Seltra
stocks. An alternative view was that flip-flap trawl, Sep Nep, Eliminator direct fish in nets was ‘the next be trialled on the west coast of
He said that through its CCTV onboard vessels was a trawl, and square mesh panels. frontier’. Scotland up to the end of 2020.
contact with the industry, ‘panacea’ that would resolve the Barrie Deas said that there Paul Macdonald of the Scottish It follows the EU’s zero-catch
and from the MMO’s data on enforcement problem – but in had been a general increase in Fishermen’s Organisation gave advice for cod and whiting on
discarding activity, DEFRA was reality, there were legal, ethical selectivity over the past 20 years, a detailed description of the the west coast, where fishermen
seeing increased engagement and practical issues associated and that fish below MCRS were development in Scotland of a real- need to keep fishing for healthy
with the requirements of the with enforcing mandatory use of not a major feature of catches. time software system to report stocks such as haddock and
landing obligation, and believed cameras. He said that mandatory cod and whiting catches, and monkfish.
greater efforts were being made He said that progress had selective measures that reduced enable skippers to avoid areas A small by-catch allowance
to comply. been made on co-working with fishermen’s marketable catch of high concentration (Fishing has been set up in this and
For example, the market the formation of the Landing ‘rarely deliver’, and that it was News, 21 November, ‘High-tech other zero-catch fisheries, but
for stocks below minimum Obligation Forum by DEFRA/ ‘the mindset in the wheelhouse’ approach to cod avoidance’). skippers still need to avoid
conservation reference size MMO/NFFO/UKAFPO, which that mattered. Improving gear Scottish fishermen and cod and whiting so they do not
(MCRS) was slowly growing, enabled dialogue between the selectivity was ‘a never-ending scientists are collaborating to choke the fishery under the
such as for pot bait, and regulators and the regulated, and quest’, and the use of light to develop the system, which will discards ban.
Two rescued as Manx scalloper Polaris sinks
Two fishermen were safely rescued from the Irish Sea last rescue boat to assess the condition of the casualties while
month when the Peel scalloper Polaris PL 193 sank three the helicopter was stood down, and both lifeboats escorted
miles west of Bradda Head, reports David Linkie. the second fishing boat back to Peel harbour, where they
Skipper/owner Gordon Mills and crewman Paul were met by emergency services. Both fishermen were
Strilciw were fishing scallops off the Isle of Man on Polaris reported as being uninjured.
on 23 November, when the 12.8m boat started to sink Port St Mary coxswain Mike Keggen said that if it had
quickly. not been for the quick reaction by Lynn Marie’s crew, and
Belfast Coastguard Operations Centre was alerted to the fact that both fishermen were wearing their lifejackets,
the incident at 6pm, when the vessel’s EPIRB activated the outcome could have been very different.
after the two men abandoned the rapidly sinking boat. The wooden-hulled Polaris was built by Jack Lowther
HM Coastguard requested the launch of the RNLI at Whitby in 1980 as the trawler Harvest Home LK 92 for
lifeboats Gough Ritchie II from Port St Mary and Muriel Shetland. In 1997, Harvest Home moved to Scotland and
and Leslie from Port Erin, together with the Coastguard was re-registered WK 228. Two years later, she moved to
rescue helicopter from Caernarfon. the Western Isles.
The crew, both of whom were wearing PFDs, were In 2010, Harvest Home was renamed Radiant Star FR
located and pulled from the sea by skipper Wayne Caley 73. A further change of ownership resulted in the scalloper
and crewman Stuart Jones of another Manx scalloper, going to Whitehaven as WA 73.
Lynn Marie PL 178, which was first on the scene. Gordon Mills took Polaris to Peel at the beginning of
Lifeboat crew from both vessels were put onboard the 2017, when the boat was extensively rebuilt at Greencastle. The Manx scalloper Polaris PL 193. (Photo: Darren Purves)
5 December 2019 Join Fishing News on Facebook http://on.fb.me/fishingnews NEWS 3
N Sea cod deadlock in first round of EU/Norway talks
A fight by the industry to get a that would prevent the fleets from consequences’ for the fleets catches and achieving a more 61% cut advised by ICES by their
viable TAC for North Sea cod in taking their main economic quotas involved, said the NFFO. manageable TAC cut (Fishing commitment to achieve MSY
2020 is moving into its final stages, in 2020. An international effort, News, 5 September, ‘Action on by 2020. Norway says a 61%
reports Tim Oliver. Scientific projections suggest led by the UK, Danish and North Sea cod’). cut is too extreme, but they are
ICES’ latest advice is for a 61% that 78% of the haddock catch Norwegian catching industries, The industry package has not bound by the artificial legal
cut, which raises the danger of and 72% of the whiting catch has put together a package of been influential in the negotiations constraint of having to reach MSY
a choke of the entire North Sea would be lost if a low TAC for cod cod avoidance and selectivity between the EU and Norway on by 2020 like the Commission, and
demersal fishery early next year caused a choke, with ‘catastrophic measures aimed at reducing cod the TAC. These began in earnest take a much more pragmatic,
on 18-22 November with the first sensible view of MSY.
round of the talks, held in London, “If the Commission is not willing
‘Groundbreaking’ international industry effort on managing the shared North Sea to move on a smaller cut to the
The international initiative to access conditions. involved in international stocks, where cod is centre-stage TAC, you have the prospect of
head off the massive 70% Barrie Deas said that co-operation, to deliver a this year. no agreement, so it all gets very
TAC cut initially recommended the industry initiative was consensus position paper with No agreement was reached, difficult.
by ICES began shortly after ‘groundbreaking’ in several broad support,” said Barrie and a second round was taking “On the face of it, there is an
its advice was published in ways. The international North Deas. place this week (w/c 2 December) impasse, but these things usually
June. The Scottish White Sea demersal industry was Previous cod recovery plans in Bergen. tend to get unjammed at the
Fish Producers’ Association large and complex, with had shown that ‘simply cutting NFFO chief executive Barrie second round. We expect there
(SWFPA) called a meeting different fleets, types of gear, the TAC’ was no guarantee of a Deas said that the industry paper will still be a significant reduction,
primarily to address the target species, etc, which in the reduction in fishing mortality. had been ‘very influential’ in the but one that can be managed.” He
potential loss of MSC past has been ‘a huge obstacle “For this reason, the industry Commission’s thinking, but that added that while a deal was likely,
accreditation, but also to to speaking with a united voice’. paper, and now the managing there was still ‘quite a long way to a breakdown in the talks could not
understand how new measures The environmental NGOs’ authorities involved, are go’. be ruled out.
could be delivered to protect ‘rigid views’ on achieving focused on the design of a “The industry has made it clear He said that the ‘big fear’ on the
cod. MSY by 2020, and Norway’s balanced package of measures that this is a package, where the EU side is the major potential for
The international industry central role as a third country which lays the foundations for TAC is set at a viable level, and in a choke early in the year, but that
paper that resulted sets out a with joint management rights, real recovery of the stock. return, the industry will support the EU had ‘tied its own hands’ by
number of suggested measures ruled out the EU North Sea “Cosmetic measures, these supplementary measures, sticking rigidly to the 2020 MSY
designed to reduce fishing Advisory Council hosting including an eye-watering which are in development as well,” target.
pressure on North Sea cod, discussions, and so ‘ad hoc’ TAC reduction, may satisfy he told Fishing News. He added that apart from
protect juvenile fish entering the meetings had been held mainly the media and some of the “The Commission say they the cod problem, the talks were
fishery, rebuild the stock, and in Copenhagen, Brussels and more naïve NGOs, but it won’t are mandated to introduce the otherwise proving ‘not too difficult’.
thus reduce the TAC cut. They London. deliver stock recovery. That will
include seasonal closed areas “The urgency of finding a require well-designed measures
to protect spawning stock, real- practical, workable solution which have the understanding
Heavy Duty and
CONDITIONS
time closures, provisions to that would steadily rebuild the and support of the fishing
EXTREME
‘move on’ vessels from fisheries cod stock whilst maintaining industry. That is why the work
COMFORTABLE
where high densities of cod are the fabric of the fishing industry of the industry itself in this
encountered, and precautionary has been the major driver in groundbreaking initiative is so
areas linked to a number of overcoming the obstacles important.”
www.guycotten.com
Scots pelagic group calls for action on mackerel
The Scottish Pelagic has resulted in the EU, Norway can catch in international waters
Sustainability Group (SPSG) and the Faroes having to cut their to be limited to 10% of their
is calling for swift international catches to offset the unilateral respective quota, as a first
action to protect the northeast activities of others. step to ultimately moving to a
Atlantic mackerel stock from “In the last three years, management regime where each
what Scottish catchers and Iceland has taken half its catches coastal state can only catch its
processors describe as the in international waters, rather quota in its own fishing zones.
‘unilateral and unsustainable than Icelandic waters, and its “The science shows that the Manufacturing
actions of Iceland, Greenland actions are not sustainable and mackerel stock is currently in in France since 1964
and Russia’. totally unjustified,” he said. a healthy state, which is great
They claim that by setting their “It is very difficult for news for the consumer – but
quotas outside the international responsible coastal states – if the unsustainable actions of SOTRA
agreement reached by the comprising the UK, EU, Norway some countries continue, then
main coastal states that have and the Faroes – to set in this may no longer be the case in
traditionally been involved in the place a comprehensive fishing the future,” Ian Gatt said.
fishery, the three countries are agreement for sustainable “The only sustainable
driving unsustainable increases catching when other nations approach is for all parties to
in catches. are setting their own quota engage sensibly and positively
This year, Iceland set its unilaterally and with no regard for to ensure a healthy future for
mackerel quota at 107,000t in the overall sustainability of the the precious mackerel stock.
March, and then increased it to stock.” The time has now come for swift
140,000t in June. According to The SPSG is calling for the international agreement on a plan
SPSG chairman Ian Gatt, this mackerel that coastal states which achieves exactly that.”
KODIAK
ASAP shortlisted for second service award
Earlier this year, ASAP Supplies Organisations from across the repair or overhaul projects.
AVAILABLE
won the Customer Focus Award UK can enter, and are judged Operations manager Gary AT YOUR
– SME (small and medium-sized by industry experts, business Aldred was not content with just KODIAK GUY COTTEN
enterprises) in the Institute of leaders and academics. winning the award once, so he DEALER
Customer Service’s UK Customer ASAP (asap-supplies.com) applied for next year’s awards.
Satisfaction Awards, and it has is an industry leader in delivering He said: “I am thrilled for the guycotten@btconnect.com
just been announced that the marine equipment and spares company and the hardworking
company has been named as a worldwide. The company was staff at ASAP who make this
finalist for the 2020 award. founded in 1989, and in 2017 was entry possible. It just goes
The UK Customer Satisfaction acquired by Arleigh International. to show that the dedication
Awards recognise organisations It now offers over 12,000 stock and service we provide our
and individuals that have lines, and its team of experts customers is recognised, and our
implemented successful offer trusted technical support to customer service really is one of
customer service strategies. customers in their maintenance, the best in the UK.” UNO
4 COMMENT/NEWS Visit us at fishingnews.co.uk and on Twitter @YourFishingNews 5 December 2019
COMMENT
No quick fix on discards policing EDITORIAL
EMAIL:
FISHINGNEWS.ED@
The authorities’ declaration that they are policing resources and costs is a major issue would still have to be monitored –
going to enforce the landing obligation/ that was given no serious thought. another monumental task. The idea that KELSEY.CO.UK
discards ban more rigorously next year was Fishermen are told they must keep all enforcement agencies could view endless Kelsey Publishing Ltd,
inevitable. quota species they catch, including fish that hours of video recordings of every haul on The Granary,
Editor
After a three-year phasing-in period cannot be sold but which count against every trip is not realistic. Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Dave Linkie
and a year of full implementation of the their quotas. They also have to record these Nevertheless, the declaration of tougher Yalding, Maidstone, email: dave@linkie.co.uk
regulation, there have been few or no fish and stow them separately. enforcement will start alarm bells ringing, Kent, ME18 6AL 01434 607375
prosecutions for discarding. Very few over- This is hopelessly impractical, and is an particularly with regard to the North Sea
quota or undersized fish have been landed, indication of one of the major problems of demersal fishery, where there is a very real
and questions are being asked as to why this fisheries management – that EU managers fear that a big cut in the cod TAC will cause
is when the ban is fully operational. are deskbound bureaucrats who have not an early closure of the whole fishery. This
The House of Lords subcommittee that the faintest idea of the practical realities of would result in a huge loss of uncaught
has produced two reports on the operation fishing. quota of other species, particularly haddock
of the landing obligation has queried Those calling for tougher enforcement and whiting, where it is estimated that 78%
the apparent lack of enforcement of the of the policy regard onboard cameras as and 72% of the quotas respectively would
regulation, indicated by the absence of the answer to policing. But while it may be be uncaught if cod ‘chokes’ the fishery early
landed discards on markets. Environmental feasible to install such systems on bigger in the year. Sub/proof editor
groups are putting increasing pressure on vessels, the majority of boats in the UK Industry leaders are making valiant News correspondent Gaby Bartai
Tim Oliver email: gaby.bartai@kelsey.co.uk
the authorities to enforce the discards ban fleet, and indeed in the EU, are thousands efforts to try to ensure that the proposed email: t.oliver3@sky.com
more effectively. of small boats where the installation 61% cut in the cod TAC is reduced to a
The problem for the authorities is that of cameras is not realistic on technical, more manageable level. A lot hangs on the
this is legislation that was introduced practical or monitoring grounds. Such outcome of the second round of
without being properly thought through. boats do not have the space to keep all the EU-Norway talks that are being
A ban on discarding of fish is an appealing fish they catch, and in many cases would held in Bergen this week.
policy to appease greens and the general endanger their stability if they attempted to We must hope that common
public, but how it is to be enforced without do so. sense prevails over dogma and rigid
hugely disproportionate deployment of Even if cameras were installed, they adherence to MSY targets.
Lincolnshire, East Anglia and
Essex correspondent
NFFO launches election manifesto
Cornwall correspondent
Phil Lockley John Worrall
email: email: johnrworrall@outlook.com
phil@by-water.eclipse.co.uk 07748 644971
01326 340372
The NFFO has published a general the policies that are necessary to deliver calls on all political parties to reject EU
election manifesto with three key on these promises.” pressure for a trade deal to maintain
themes of independence, fairness and Under the heading ‘Why the UK its ‘current exploitative access’ to UK
sustainability, reports Tim Oliver. fishing industry matters’, the manifesto fisheries resources.
The manifesto highlights the ‘extremely highlights the economic importance of As an example of the current unfair
unfair deal’ that the UK received when the fishing industry, which contributes distribution of quotas, the manifesto
it joined the European Economic £1.5bn to the UK economy. But, on highlights that the UK has only 9% of the
Community (EEC) in the 1970s, and average, between 2012 and 2016, other Channel cod TAC, while France has 84%. Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and
Dorset correspondent
the fact that fishing was considered EU member states’ vessels landed around It calls for additional fishing John Periam
expendable by politicians and was 749,000t of fish (£575m revenue) opportunities to be fairly shared across Art editor email: periam.photojournalist@
Rob Terry btopenworld.com
sacrificed for other objectives. annually from UK waters. the UK, and for ‘a fair approach to future email: rob@focusedondesign.co.uk 01243 584718
The two-thirds of the catch in UK The manifesto says that all parts of quota distribution that leaves nobody MANAGEMENT
waters that is caught by EU vessels the industry stand to benefit as the UK worse off’. Chief Operating Officer: Phil Weeden
reflects quota shares based on historic becomes an independent coastal state by: The manifesto says that there should Chief Executive: Steve Wright
catches, rather than the share of resources ● Prioritising access to UK inshore zones be a new ‘agile and responsive’ fisheries Managing Director: Kevin McCormick
located in UK waters. This has resulted in for UK vessels management system after Brexit, with Finance Director: Joyce Parker-Sarioglu
a significant decline in UK fishing ports ● Securing a fairer deal on quota shares science-based co-management to ensure Retail Director: Steve Brown
Audience Development Manager: Andy Cotton
and coastal communities since the 1970s. through annual fisheries agreements sustainable fisheries. HR & Operations Manager: Charlotte Whittaker
“Leaving the EU provides a real ● Controlling access by non-UK vessels The federation and members of the Senior Print Production Manager: Nicola Pollard
opportunity to break free from this to fish in UK waters fishing community will be writing direct Print Production Manager: Georgina Harris
unfair arrangement,” says the manifesto, ● Delivering a responsive, effective, to candidates in coastal communities to Print Production Controller: Kelly Orriss
Subscription Marketing Manager: Nick McIntosh
and to manage our fisheries successfully sustainable and prosperous fisheries ask them to sign the Fair Fishing pledge.
like other independent nations such as management regime. By doing so, these candidates will be ADVERTISEMENT SALES
Norway and Iceland. The manifesto warns that there is committing to supporting policy in the Gary Smythson, 01732 447008, gary@talkmediasales.co.uk
Simon Hyland, 01732 445327, simon@talkmediasales.co.uk
It says: “Politicians of all parties and ‘a very real threat’ that a future UK new parliament that will deliver on the Production: Nick Bond
areas of the UK have made promises to government may sacrifice the fishing vision for the fishing industry contained Tel: 01732 447281
the UK fishing industry that steps can and industry in pursuit of a wider free trade in the NFFO manifesto. Email: nick.bond@talkmediasales.co.uk
will be taken to realise the opportunities deal. This would repeat the ‘historic The full manifesto can be seen at: SUBSCRIPTIONS
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5 December 2019 Join Fishing News on Facebook http://on.fb.me/fishingnews NEWS 5
Brussels ‘will demand access on 1 February’
If Brexit goes ahead after next The EU Fisheries Alliance do a deal on the basis of what negotiator Michel Barnier that based on the founding principle
week’s election, Brussels plans (EUFA) is pressing hard to Boris Johnson is proposing,” such negotiations often last two of equal access to a common
to hit Britain with a demand maintain the status quo on the diplomat told the Telegraph. to three years. resource, being bound to
for EU fleets to have access to reciprocal access and quota “The choice is either a no-deal This report follows a report regulatory alignment with CFP
UK waters the day after Brexit, shares after Brexit. Brexit or to extend the transition by Irish national radio station rules and being bartered as
according to the Daily Telegraph, A Tory majority would pave period.” RTE which also quoted Brussels ‘part of the overall economic
reports Tim Oliver. the way for the ratification of the The diplomat warned that officials confirming the link partnership’.
The newspaper’s Brussels Brexit withdrawal agreement the true deadline for a decision between fisheries and trade, “This is what ratifying the
correspondent wrote that his by the House of Commons and was not the end of December and the determination of EUFA withdrawal agreement means.
sources said that Brussels’ the European parliament, which but June, which is when Britain to ensure this is upheld (Fishing We are obliged to swallow
plan was to make EU access would mean that Britain leaves would have to ask for an News, 28 November, ‘EUFA: this and have fishing levered.
to British waters a condition of the EU and CFP at 11pm on 31 extension, and the EU would access/trade link really important The EU has now spelt this out
any trade deal. It will make its January, 2020. decide whether to extend the to us’). crystal clear – ‘surrender fishing
demand public on, or as close as That will trigger an 11-month transition period. Brexit campaign group a second time or no free trade
possible to, 1 February, if Boris transition period in which “Fishing is the first flashpoint Fishing for Leave (FFL) said that deal’.”
Johnson wins a majority in the to negotiate the UK-EU free in what will be very difficult the comments from Brussels FFL said that trying to ratify
general election. trade agreement, and the negotiations,” an EU diplomat ‘again confirmed that the EU is a free trade deal with the EU by
“That will be the day that Conservatives say that the time said, “and it needs to be determined to continue its ability the summer is ‘near impossible’,
reality hits home,” one EU frame will not be extended. resolved by June, so in four to pillage UK waters for 60% and that ‘alarm bells will ring
diplomat told the Telegraph. “There is no way in hell to months.” of our resources, all whilst also around coastal communities
Refusal to grant access to enmeshing the UK in regulatory and constituencies’ if the
Foreign line boats close
UK fishing waters, which would alignment with the CFP through Conservatives are silent on the
be on a reciprocal basis, would ‘associate’ membership’. situation. This would show that a
make finalising the trade deal by FFL said: “The EU has painted Conservative government would
off seine-net grounds the end of December impossible.
Talks cannot begin until Britain
leaves the EU.
the UK into a corner on fishing
with the terms of the political
declaration. If the withdrawal
‘capitulate to bully boy tactics
of being asked to surrender
our nation’s greatest natural
Outgoing culture secretary agreement is ratified, the UK may resource for a trade deal’.
Nicky Morgan said that securing nominally be an ‘independent “The EU is testing them on a
a trade deal with Brussels by coastal state’, but will be obliged totemic issue. Their response will
the deadline was possible, under the political declaration be telling – particularly in coastal
despite warnings by EU Brexit to have a fisheries agreement constituencies,” said FFL.
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6 NEWS Visit us at fishingnews.co.uk and on Twitter @YourFishingNews 5 December 2019
Southern Spirit nets £17,500 on maiden trip
An impressive five-day maiden The new vessel is ‘everything vessel built at C Toms & Son for
trip by Southern Spirit LT 1056, we wanted it to be’, said skipper R&B Fishing Ltd, with its fifth
built by C Toms & Son, made Carl Snell, who mans the boat vessel – an under-10m trawler
£17,500 through Plymouth with crewmen Robert Hamilton similar to the Saxon Spirit LT
Trawler Agents, reports Phil and Reegan Green. 1052 – nearing completion. All
Lockley. Built for R&B Fishing Ltd of five vessels were designed by
Lowestoft, the Southern Spirit Ian Paton of SC McAllister & Co
is the second 15m scalloper Ltd, and follow the latest trend
launched from C Toms & Son of having small to medium-
this year. sized craft driven by a relatively
Skipper Carl Snell said: “It low-powered but highly efficient
has been fitted out just the way engine. Many owners have
we wanted it. It’s a superb boat. chosen Volvo Penta engines
We spent some time getting from the nearby agent Marine
everything just right before the Engineering (Looe) Ltd.
maiden trip, and there were no Carl Snell told Fishing News:
problems at all. Right through “The boat performs so well, and
the trip, we had no problems, we have been in some pretty
and on a new boat that is rare. C poor weather. It isn’t the best
Toms & Son has built a fine boat. November on record, that’s Southern Spirit coming alongside Plymouth Fisheries to offload her maiden
We have completed a couple of for sure. It handles well, and catch, which made £17,500 for five days.
trips, and other than wanting a after moving from a traditional
few lugs to be slightly moved, hull on the Charles Edward FE “The first few trips were at £17,500 for five days on a
The first bags of scallops caught the boat is a pleasure to work.” 385, we didn’t expect such meant to be just shakedown, maiden, we are delighted.”
by Southern Spirit were landed to Southern Spirit has the facility good seakeeping from the but fishing has been quite good. More details of the Southern
Plymouth Trawler Agents on 14 to switch to twin-rig trawling Southern Spirit, but it is a really As well as scallops, there has Spirit will appear in Fishing News
November.
if necessary. It is the fourth comfortable boat. been a fair amount of fish, so soon.
Minister Creed receives Marine Institute stock book for 2019 Amber Mabel launched in Cornwall
The 2019 Marine Institute stock for the annual Fisheries Council
The latest
book was presented to Irish negotiations, which this year
launch from
minister for agriculture, food and will take place in Brussels on 16 C Toms & Son
the marine Michael Creed at the and 17 December. The detailed is a 15m vivier-
end of November, reports Pauric stock-by-stock guide ensures potter for joint
Gallagher. we have the most up to date owners Camel
The Stock Book provides scientific advice on this renewable Fish and skipper
the latest scientific advice on resource.” James Dunn.
commercially exploited fish stocks The Stock Book is an important
of interest to Ireland, and is used component of the sustainability Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the
by the Department of Agriculture, impact assessment presented to Marine Institute, with minister for
Food and the Marine at the Dáil Éireann annually before agriculture, food and the marine
annual fisheries quota negotiations the EU fisheries negotiations Michael Creed and Dr Ciaran Kelly of
the Marine Institute.
with the EU in December each commence. This year, advice
year, and throughout the year at was given for 74 stocks. Results a wide audience, including the
fisheries management meetings. show continued improvement in fishing industry, managers, marine
Minister Creed said: “The the number of stocks sustainably scientists, environmental NGOs,
fishing industry is a vital part of fished. Mitsubishi Marine
third-level Diesel
institutes Engines
and financial
Ireland’s ocean economy. The Published annually since 1993, institutions.
221kw to 3588kw
information presented by the The Stock Book contains an The Stock Book is available as
Marine Institute in The Stock overview of all fisheries. It serves a PDF and as an interactive app at:
Book is critical to the preparations as a valuable reference guide to marine.ie
Mitsubishi Marine Diesel engines
Mitsubishi Marine Diesel Engines
221kw to 3588kw The most recent launch from orders. At present, it is quiet for
221kw
built to last with easeto
of3588kw
maintenance in mind C Toms & Son was Amber Mabel almost all yards. With Brexit, some
PW 21, a 15m part-build vivier- skippers may be holding back
potter, reports Phil Lockley. to see the outcome; others may
The Mitsubishi Marine diesel engine line up comprises of engines from 221kw to
3588kw for propulsion & auxiliary applications, emissions regulated and The vessel was constructed not be as concerned. Whatever
classification to the main societies. Built to last with ease of maintenance for joint
in mind.owners Camel Fish Ltd, the case, we are looking for more
based in Wadebridge, North builds. We have Roger Klyne’s
Cornwall, and skipper James under-10m trawler to finish off,
Dunn. and it’s in the last stages before
Paul Toms told Fishing News: launch, and the 15m vivier-crabber
“We built the hull, superstructure for Les Burt is progressing well.
and wheelhouse. We fitted the It is the only boat left, so we have
engine and two generators, and plenty of space to build.
fitted enough pipework for the “When people see reports on
vivier tank to operate, and other yards, they think it’s always busy,
piping too, so that the vessel and yes, we have had a good run
had power when necessary of orders, but we haven’t heard
on the towage from Polruan to much from potential buyers, and
DIAMOND DIESELS (UK) LIMITED Wadebridge, to a site closer to the at this time of year that is unusual
Camel Fish headquarters. – there are normally several
The
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by
“The Amber Mabel, designed
Ian Paton of SC McAllister &
discussions going on. Skippers
and investors may be holding back
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5 December 2019 Join Fishing News on Facebook http://on.fb.me/fishingnews NEWS 7
Fishermen ‘drivers’ of landmark inshore conference
The recent landmark Future of Our upstairs management becomes done a day’s fishing in their lives – He and Paul Trebilcock pointed management, sustainable fisheries
Inshore Fisheries conference (8-9 detached from the people on the they’ve no idea. out that POs, as collectives of and more income for fishermen.
October) was the first step towards floor, so it’s good to get together.” “I don’t know whether the fishermen run by fishermen, are a Anne Freeman agreed, and
a new era of co-management The industry was ‘evolving conference will do anything to good example of co-management said: “The more you learn and talk
of inshore fisheries between very quickly’ as boats and gear help us – I don’t hold out too much in action. to people, the more you realise
fishermen, officials and scientists, developed, and fishermen needed hope.” Paul Trebilcock said that the that you can’t separate anything
reports Tim Oliver. to meet the authorities so they can Cornish PO identified issues, out – it’s all interconnected. If one
There is confidence that DEFRA help them ‘to put a better system Co-management and developed appropriate part of the sector is suffering,
is ready to look seriously at a in place, easier to manage and ‘buzzword’ management and science around that affects everybody. There
fundamental change in the way enforce’. Two major themes emerged from those issues, and spoke directly will be displacement effects, and
both inshore and offshore fisheries He stressed the importance the conference – future fisheries to DEFRA. “That’s exactly what unintended consequences. So we
are managed. of the financial support that had co-management and inshore/ co-management is – fishermen, must look at this in a completely
These views are highlighted enabled many fishermen to attend, offshore management being policy-makers and scientists holistic way, and talk to each
in a podcast by the Cornish saying that it was ‘the first meeting interconnected. coming up with sound fisheries other, work together and seize this
FPO recorded at the close of in 30 years’ where he had had such Paul Trebilcock said that management that can be bought opportunity.”
the two-day conference, which help, and that it made ‘a world of co-management needed to be into by those who are being Paul Trebilcock said that the
heard presentations on fisheries difference’. a fundamental part of fisheries managed and those who doing the industry was at a crossroads, and
management from a range of Another fisherman said that the management in the future, but it managing.” that this was ‘a defining moment’.
national and international speakers conference was ‘very positive’, and had to be genuine, and involve DEFRA deputy director Anne “One way is for a glossy report to
(Fishing News, 14 November, that as long as it was ‘the start of fishermen ‘from the very beginning’ Freeman said: “We got loads of be produced that sits on a shelf
‘Landmark conference kick-starts something, then it’ll be very good’. to lead to ‘good sound fisheries ideas coming from the room, some gathering dust. The other is where
new era for inshore sector’). He said: “I’ll tell other fishermen management’. really great examples from right there is genuine action, where
Cornish FPO chief executive how positive it was, and if it NFFO chief executive Barrie around the country and the world, we come back together in three
Paul Trebilcock said that what happens again, there will be a lot Deas said that co-management and we need to work through those, months’ time, and talk about those
made the conference different was more of us attending, or wanting to was the ‘buzzword’ – the question and work with industry, to work out work packages taken forward to a
that senior DEFRA policy-makers attend” – although he also said that was how to make it work. He had our priorities and pull together and positive conclusion.
attended and showed ‘genuine fishermen’s attendance depended been impressed by a presentation action them.” “I guarantee now that we will
interest’, and that they ‘seem willing on financial help. from Canadian Wes Eriksen, who Paul Trebilcock said he had be going back in three months’
to take forward what comes out of “There could be more young described how fishermen on the not experienced this level of time, and will revisit it with DEFRA
the conference’. men come into the industry if this west coast of British Columbia commitment and enthusiasm officials to discuss the next steps.”
But he said that the ‘real helps change,” he added. had turned round their groundfish before from DEFRA, which had to Aoife Martin of Seafish, which
driver’ of the conference was But a third fisherman was more fishery through co-management. be ‘a really positive thing’. co-organised the event and was
the fishermen themselves. One downbeat, saying that there was a He said that there are He said that although the one of the sponsors, said that the
fishermen present said that the ‘quite clear’ ‘them and us’ between opportunities for the UK industry conference was about inshore time was ‘ripe for change’ and that
conference had got ‘everyone fishermen and the authorities. “I – it was a matter of taking the fisheries, the reality was that she was delighted with the number
together in one room, and with the don’t think in 20 years most of first steps, moving out of familiar genuine co-management meant of fishermen who attended.
powers that be, to sort things out’. the government officers will have territory and moving forward. He that no single sector got special “The conference is just part of a
He said: “The one thing the a job because there won’t be was encouraged by an apparent treatment, and that all the diverse multi-year project. We’re not going
government lacks is communication any fishermen – there’s so many commitment from the government UK fleet was protected and to get all the answers – this is just
with the boats on the grounds. The restrictions in place. They’ve never to make co-management work. given the opportunity for better the starting point,” she said.
Endeavour V arrives at Macduff
The new 34m twin-rig stern trawler Endeavour V now carry out the full machinery installation and
BF 515 arrived at Macduff at the end of last month, fitting out of the twin-rig stern trawler, which will
after being towed from the Baltic Sea through the replace the 29m Endeavour IV.
Skagerrak and across the North Sea by the Danish Endeavour V will feature three full-length decks
tug Dolphin, reports David Linkie. and twin net ramps.
Of 10.5m beam and 7.25m depth to main deck, A MaK 8M20C main engine will drive a
the hull and superstructure of Endeavour V were 3,300mm-diameter CP propeller through a
built at the Finomar shipyard, Szczecin, Poland Mekanord 650HS 6.47:1 reduction gearbox.
for Whitehills owner Knockhead LLP, under Two Caterpillar C9.3 auxiliary engines driving Endeavour V is guided into Macduff harbour by the Danish tug Dolphin and the local
subcontract to Macduff Shipyards Ltd, which will 250ekW 415/3/15 generators will also be fitted. pilot boat Sea Helper.
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8 NEWS Visit us at fishingnews.co.uk and on Twitter @YourFishingNews 5 December 2019
Salmon decline due to problems at sea
Numbers of salmon and sea Salmon and Trout Conservation (SAlmonid MAnagement Round
trout returning to UK rivers have and the Atlantic Salmon Trust. the CHannel).
declined by 70% over the past Current or recent fish- The project, which started in
30 years, and evidence suggests tracking projects and new 2017 and is running until 2022,
that much of the problem is at and emerging fish-tracking has been tracking wild salmon
sea, according to speakers at a technology were the focus of and sea trout through four
conference in early November. day one, with talks ranging from English and French estuaries,
Particular influences at sea acoustic monitoring of juvenile to fill the gaps in knowledge of
are climate change – affecting salmonids and environmental how quickly these fish migrate
salmon’s food quantity, its DNA analyses of Atlantic salmon through intertidal habitat, the
location and quality – overfishing to autonomous ocean observing dangers they face there, and
of salmon’s marine food sources, platforms and the behaviour and where they go once they reach
and their accidental capture by mortality of sea trout. the sea.
trawlers and in coastal nets. The second day addressed The cross-border five-year
Scientists and fishery the analysis of tracking data project includes 10 partner
managers involved in studying and maximising the benefits organisations – five in France
salmon and sea trout at sea of multiple tracking projects, and five in the UK. It has been
shared their ideas, knowledge with talks centring around long- using state-of-the-art fish-
Fisheries scientist Celine Artero leading a talk at the conference.
and expertise at an international term fish survival and electronic monitoring facilities on five
conference in Southampton. telemetry tagging. rivers to quantify the threats
The two-day event was The workshop was hosted on to salmon and sea trout in the It has also been focusing on estuaries and coastal waters,
organised by the Game and behalf of a multi-million-pound south of England and northern the behaviour and mortality to determine where losses are
Wildlife Conservation Trust, project known as SAMARCH France. of salmonid populations in greatest.
Major North Atlantic salmon New plastic alternative
egg-planting project underway made from fish waste An estimated 492,000t of fish
In October, British billionaire waste is produced by the UK fish
financier and industrialist processing industry every year –
Sir Jim Ratcliffe launched a and people in the UK use around
major international research five million tonnes of plastic a year.
programme in support of his An alternative to plastic is needed,
salmon conservation work and thanks to Lucy Hughes, who
in Iceland, which is aimed at until recently was a graduate
reversing the terminal decline of student at the University of Sussex,
the Atlantic salmon. Only 3-5% a new product could soon be
of salmon hatched in UK rivers available, reports John Periam.
return to breed, compared with Lucy Hughes’ research sought Lucy Hughes at Newhaven with her
25% two decades ago. to tackle the dual problems of MarinaTex plastic alternative.
The Icelandic conservation environmentally harmful single-use
programme has now rolled plastic and inefficient waste very reliant on it, and at times are
out its next stage, with the streams by harnessing fish offcuts using it when it has a lifecycle of
largest-ever North Atlantic to create an eco-friendly plastic less than a day. For me, MarinaTex
egg-planting project in alternative. represents a commitment to
northeast Iceland, involving Through research carried out material innovation and selection
Icelandic research institution on the Sussex coast, she found that by incorporating sustainable, local
MRFI (Hafrannsóknastofnun) fish skins and scales were the most values into its design. As creators,
and the Strengur Angling Club. The Icelandic team at work in -10°C temperatures, seeding salmon eggs promising sources for a potential we should not limit ourselves to
Egg-planting schemes have into the upper reaches of a river. plastic alternative, and that algae designing just form and function,
been launched across several could be used to bind the proteins but rather form, function and
rivers, with planting taking improve growth and survival spawning grounds of North extracted from the skins and scales footprint.”
place from late October to early rates in the critical early stages Atlantic salmon in northeast to create a strong overlapping There are fishermen along
November. of their lifecycle. Iceland, which is part of our bond in a flexible translucent sheet the south coast who share her
The Strengur conservation Extending the spawning wider conservation programme material. She has named her new concerns, and have taken it on
programme will build to seed areas and nursery grounds across the region. Working product MarinaTex. She found themselves to remove plastic from
around one million eggs from through the construction of closely with the farmers and that a single Atlantic cod could the water when fishing and return
native fish each year in the new salmon ladders is also the local communities, we can generate enough organic waste to it to harbour, such as Ben Dunwell
higher reaches of rivers that progressing as part of long- build something sustainable produce 1,400 bags. from Newhaven (Fishing News, 3
the salmon have previously term plans to help Iceland’s and environmentally sound, Her invention has won the October, ‘From trawler to Mermaid
been unable to reach. The salmon thrive. These are that is a benefit to the local UK category of the James Dyson fish shop’).
programme will open up new moving forward with the help of ecology and community, as well Award, for which she received He says: “Our coasts attract
habitat and food resources to investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe as maintaining this area as a £2,000. This worldwide award a lot of seasonal visitors who
and Strengur. The Miðfjarðará world-class fishing destination.” recognises and rewards university use our beaches and leave litter
ladder was completed and In this round, eggs students for potential design behind, which is then taken out to
opened last year, and the were planted in Kverká, solutions to global problems. sea at the next high tide and then
salmon have already colonised Hvammsá, Miðfjarðará, Lucy said: “Plastic is an amazing damages our inshore fish stocks,
the newly extended upper parts Vesturdalsá and Selá. In material, and we have become and at times our nets. I have
of the river, which adds 4.5km addition, genetic and scale to admire what Lucy has done,
of new habitat for the young samples were gathered from and hope her research with the
fish. the parent fish, which were then financial award will allow her to
Gisli Ásgeirsson, released. These areas will be continue and develop this product
CEO of Strengur Angling revisited next summer after the for much wider use, replacing
Club, said: “Teams from eggs have hatched, and the plastics which have now been
Hafrannsóknastofnun and Selá results measured. proven to be far from eco-friendly.”
have shown real dedication In addition to the direct There is no doubt that if fish
to salmon conservation, contribution from Sir Jim waste can be used to produce a
working in -10°C to start the Ratcliffe, all profits from new material, it will benefit many
programme that will build to Strengur are now being in the long term. Seagulls love
seed around one million eggs reinvested into salmon it, as most fishermen know, but
A researcher collects genetic and each year. This work is so conservation in northeast Fishermen like Ben Dunwell, on his if it can be put to a better use to
scale samples from a parent fish. important to help extend the Iceland. boat Emma Louise RX 433, welcome help the environment, that is a far
the prospect of less plastic waste. better option.
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