» Fisheries



NFFO claims the the “North Sea is teeming” with fish once more

In a Press Release dated 22nd July 2013, and titled “New Data Reveals North Sea Is Teeming”, the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) says that there has been a dramatic recovery of fish species across the North East Atlantic which is “nothing short of remarkable”. We provide here the full text of the NFFP […]

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Eating fish could “halve the risk of arthritis”

The Guardian reports, 12th August 2013: “Eating a weekly portion of salmon or regular servings of other fish such as cod could cut the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis by more than half, research shows. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish, especially oily fish, explain the dramatic drop in someone’s chances of developing the chronic […]

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EU Commissioner says sustainability and data collection are at the heart of fishing subsidies reform

In a reply to Marinet’s letter of 20th May 2013 the EU Fisheries Commissioner, Maria Damanaki, has informed Marinet that environmental sustainability is at the heart of the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and reform of the newly named European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) which disburses fishing subsidies. Commissioner Damanaki also informs Marinet that the Commission […]

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Marinet seeks accountability and transparency in the recording of EU fishing subsidies

Marinet has written, 6th May 2013, to the President of the European Commission, Manuel Barroso, and the Fisheries Ministers of Member States to request transparency and accountability in respect of subsidy payments made to vessels in the EU fishing fleet from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). These subsidies total over 1 billion Euros annually. Following […]

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Marinet launches Reform of EU Fishing Subsidies campaign

Marinet has launched a major campaign, running between now and December, to secure far-reaching reform of EU fishing subsidies. These subsidies are widely recognised as a key cause of over-fishing. The campaign is explained by a short 3 minute film and is supported by a petition to Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and […]

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New Marine Conservation Development

Becky Ingham, who worked with the RSPB, is now General Manager of Hookpod Ltd, tells us that her company has designed, developed and are now trialling a unique fishing device called the Hookpod that should prove to be a great asset to marine conservation as it can be employed to stop albatross and other seabirds […]

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Isle of Man scallops on the way to being fished sustainably

The Guardian reports, 27th June 2013: “Locals in the pretty seaside village of Port Erin on the Isle of Man will be celebrating. Their annual Queenie festival is taking place to promote the queen scallop that thrives in their waters. With a shell that can grow up to 9cm, the species, aequipecten opercularis, provides a […]

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Rare marine species discovered around Rockall could lead to a fishing ban in the area

The Guardian reports, 14th June 2013: “Fishing is expected to be banned near the Atlantic islet of Rockall after a rare methane gas vent in the seabed and two new shellfish species were discovered by British scientists.” The methane, which leaks through a so-called “cold seep” vent in the ocean floor, was found last year […]

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MSC say sustainable fishing of North Sea cod could soon recommence, but can it?

The Guardian reports, 8th June 2012: “Cod could be in for a revival at the fish counter as stocks recover after being overfished for decades. Eating cod has been regarded as close to a crime by environmentalists, and consumers have been urged to opt for alternatives such as gurnard. But a survey by the Marine […]

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New study suggests the modern ecological structure of fisheries is dangerously unstable

C.O.A.S.T. report on a new study from the University of York: “It is well documented that the increase in demand for fish, combined with advances in fishing technology has led to the decline of many large bodied finfish fisheries around the world. As a result, catches of shellfish such as prawns, scallops and lobsters have […]

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Greenpeace apprehensive and “disappointed “about EU negotiations on CFP Reform

Greenpeace reports, 15th May 2013, Brussels: “Another marathon session of negotiations on the reform of EU legislation on fisheries has ended in disappointment, said Greenpeace. The ministers have been meeting in Council since Monday to revise their position on the main points of the reform before going into final negotiations with the European Parliament. Commenting […]

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New DVD telling the story of the North Norfolk Fishing industry

Starring the famous Cromer Crab Cancer Paguris, the story of the fishing industry in north Norfolk from Domesday to the present day is featured in a new DVD release. It uses historic photos, animations, interviews and archive footage to update a book first printed 25 years ago. The final sequence using a waterproof camera gives […]

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NFFO believes “regionalisation” is the key CFP reform agreed at Council of Ministers meeting

The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) comments, 15th May: “The agreement reached by the Council of Ministers in Brussels in the early hours of 15th May represents an important staging post on the tortuous passage to CFP reform. The agreed form of words gives the Irish Presidency a mandate to finalise negotiations with the […]

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EU Fisheries Ministers agree to a partial discards ban, and to quotas based on MSY but with no dates

Fisheries Ministers from across Europe have come to an agreement on 14th May on a sweeping reform of fisheries policies, but fell short of the most ambitious changes that green campaigners had demanded. They agreed to ban the wasteful practice of discarding healthy fish at sea, but most of the ban will be phased in […]

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UK Fisheries Minister identifies 3 key principles for CFP reform

Richard Benyon, the UK’s fisheries minister, has vowed to drive “ambitious and radical reform” of the EU’s common fisheries policy at a key meeting in Brussels, week commencing 13th May. In an interview with the Guardian, he listed three main goals for the UK – to ensure that a new proposal for fishing to be […]

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“Sustainable Seafood Coalition” wants to bring ethics to fish retailing

A new initiative to make the labelling of sustainable fish clearer and more consistent for consumers has been launched on 26th April 2013 by industry and retailers, with the backing of the Fish Fight campaign set up by celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingttall. The voluntary code of conduct by the Sustainable Seafood Coalition (SSC), whose supermarket […]

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“Costing The Earth, BBC Radio 4” examines the crisis facing EU fish stocks

Tom Heap, presenter for Radio 4’s Costing The Earth programme, meets in the programme the activists hoping to bring an end to illegal fishing by tackling the problem head on: by getting in the way of pirate fishermen. Among these activists is The Black Fish, a relatively new NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) whose aim is to […]

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Is the harvesting of krill in the Southern Ocean worthy of “sustainable fishery” certification, or an imminent disaster?

Sea Shepherd report (edited version, see full version), 17th April 2013: “The industrial smoke stacks have arrived to the Antarctic Peninsula. The area famous for its scenic, rugged landscapes and abundant South Polar wildlife has become the target for the trawlers and factory ships of the growing krill fisheries. “Many people think of Krill as […]

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Irish Presidency of the EU is optimistic about agreed CFP Reform, possibly by June

The Irish Republic’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, has welcomed the commitment by Director Generals for Fisheries of EU Member States (meeting at the National Seafood Centre, Clonakilty on Tuesday 16th April) to achieve agreement on CFP reform by the end of June. The meeting, hosted by the Irish Presidency, […]

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Mislabelling of fish is on the increase

About one in seven fish sold in shops, restaurants or fish and chip shops may not be what they say on packs or menus, according to trading standards checks. Figures supplied by councils to the UK Food Standards Agency indicate that 41 of 303 checks on packaged frozen or chilled fish and in catering businesses […]

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