The fuel issue has hit the fishing industry hard, to the point that many UK fishing vessels are now unprofitable and are tied to the dock. Fisheries Innovation Scotland’s (FIS) recent ‘Vessels of the Future’ workshop therefore could not have come at a more appropriate time.
Fishing Animateur, Imogen Smith-Devey, spoke about government funding opportunities.
Developed in partnership with The Fishmongers’ Company’ Fisheries Charitable Trust this one-day workshop showcased a range of challenges and opportunities relating to legislation, alternative fuels, gear technology, electrification of boats and vessel design. Attendees also heard from seafood buyers and how they are committed to supporting the producers in their journey towards carbon net zero.
The fishing industry was comforted by the fact that seafood has the lowest carbon footprint of all protein producers, however, there was no disguising the fact that they have a long way to go and that there will be many barriers to overcome. Break-out discussions provided a space to address these issues and explore next steps. The workshop was held in Glasgow on 6th April and was attended by more than 40 experts from across the UK.
Director of FIS Kara Brydson explained: “At the workshop we took a first step towards ensuring that the fishing industry’s perspective is included in discussions on reducing vessel emissions and reaching net zero in Scotland. This was a safe space for colleagues to discuss some difficult issues, and explore ideas from around Scotland, elsewhere in the UK, and Norway. There will be a post- workshop report based on the day’s discussions to present ideas for practical and relevant ways to support our industry. We’ll look forward to making this available across industry, and to starting a wider debate about the opportunities we discussed in this workshop. This is a great first step to develop a fair and realistic way to support the catching sector transition to a lower-carbon future.”
The Fishmongers’ Company’ Fisheries Charitable Trust became a member of Fisheries Innovation Scotland at the beginning of 2022 and will be supporting FIS as they respond to the fishing and seafood sector’s most pressing needs.
The fishing industry have been responding to the Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) Network with their ideas for research projects that fulfil the criteria of Defra’s £10 million Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) scheme. The Network, on behalf of the industry, is now working with the scientific community to develop these ideas further and obtain funding.
The government’s FISP scheme funds fisheries and aquaculture research that is collaborative across stakeholder groups (industry, government and academia). In response to the FISP scheme, acoalition of three charities – The Fishmongers’ Company’ Fisheries Charitable Trust, the Fishing Animateurs and Fishing into the Future – developed the FISP Network with the objective to support the voice of the industry and grow partnership working. By coordinating and disseminating information between industry and academia, the Network hopes to identify studies that are a priority for the fishing industry but that also meet the research needs of government and address major issues that are pertinent to fisheries management objectives. Match-funding from the Fishmongers’ Company is available for successful bids that have been supported through the FISP Network.
Some ideas collected so far…
Improving Prawn Fishing Selectivity
Prawn fishermen in Scotland and the north-east of England are looking to reduce the bycatch of whitefish whilst otter trawling for prawns. They have found that using coverless trawls improves the selectivity of their gear. They are looking to do a gear trial to better understand the impact of this method.
King Crab Fishery in Bridlington
A crab and lobster fisherman off the Bridlington coast wanted to look at the viability of a new fishery in the area. Fishermen were noticing more deep-water king crab / stone crabs being caught, possibly due to changes in water temperature. They want to do stock assessments on the species and trial new fishing areas and gear.
New Fishery in Mallaig
Fishermen, with 40 years of experience in the industry, wanted to understand more about whether sprat, squid and/or herring could be viable, sustainable fisheries, off the coast of Mallaig, west Scotland. Most fishermen in Mallaig target prawns using trawling methods. They have noticed the prawn season reducing year on year, despite a decline in fishing effort. If prawn stocks fail, the Mallaig fleet has no quota to fall back on and there would be a collapse of the industry. These skippers would like to understand whether there is an alternative fishery they could pursue alongside prawns. Studies of interest include trialling new fishing grounds and gear, stock assessments and, understanding life cycles.
A new report from Shoal, funded by the Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust, celebrates the 212 “new” freshwater fish species recorded in 2021. From a blind eel found at the bottom of a well in a school for the blind in India to the Wolverine fish, named after its curved spikes tucked under its gills used to ward off predators, the report demonstrates that “there are still hundreds and hundred more freshwater fish scientists don’t know about yet”.
The Mumbai blind eel. Photograph: Tejas Thackeray/Courtesy of Shoal
Shoal, a conservation organisation co-founded by the Company in 2019, works to halt extinctions and recover populations of the most threatened freshwater species around the world. Their New Species 2021 report highlights just how much life there is still to be discovered in rivers and lakes around the world.
An average of four freshwater fish were newly described every week in 2021, a rate that Harmony Patricio, Shoal’s conservation programme manager finds surprising against a backdrop of declining freshwater biodiversity, “it’s fascinating that over 200 new freshwater fish species can be described in just a single year,” she explains, “you might see this level of new discovery for organisms like plants or insects, but not really for vertebrates.”
Every discovery can help scientists to learn more about freshwater species, including their anatomy, their evolution and their environment. With 80% of freshwater species having gone extinct in modern times, and freshwater fish disappearing at twice the rate of terrestrial species, it is hoped that this report, the first of its kind, will raise awareness of the incredible range of freshwater species out there and inspire efforts to protect them for future generations.
Andrew Marr, liveryman and seafood entrepreneur, has been awarded a CBE for services to the UK fishing industry.
Andrew retired as chairman five years ago but remains on the Board as a non- executive director of Andrew Marr Internaional, which has extensive interests in fish catching in Peterhead and Fraserburgh as well as in international fish trading and cold storage.
Based in Humberside, the region responsible for processing over 60% of UK seafood, the Marr family’s involvement in the seafood industry stretches back to the 1870s, with Andrew joining the family business in 1960.
Today the company has a global footprint and a portfolio of businesses across all sectors of the industry from logistics and sourcing to trading and distribution. Marrfish, one of their subsidiaries, supplies fresh fish and seafood to hotels, restaurants and pubs in London, the South East & East Midlands.
A liveryman since 2011, Andrew served as High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire from 1999-2000 and he was appointed Vice Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire in 2011.
Andrew is also an Honorary Brother of Hull Trinity House (founded in 1369) and a Younger Brother of London Trinity House. He is also a member and former Governor of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York, as well as being an Honorary Freeman of Beverley and President of the Beverley Civic Society.
Our Targeted Academic Sponsorship Programme pairs students and early career professionals with industry, universities and NGOs to respond to the most pressing and relevant issues facing the sector. Strong communication surrounding sustainability is essential to enabling consumers to make informed and responsible choices. As part of this programme, the Company has been able to support The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), who accredit sustainable practice in fisheries across the globe, in recruiting a Social Media and Communications intern, to help share this important information. Here, Abigail Spink talks through some of her achievements during her time at the MSC and how this experience will help her build a career in fisheries communications.
Joining the MSC UK & Ireland team as Social Media and Communications Intern has opened my eyes to the exciting and hugely important world of sustainable fishing. I’ve learnt how marketing and communications can be used strategically to encourage people to consume responsibly sourced seafood, which really makes a difference to the health of our oceans.
Throughout my time at the MSC, I have supported across the MarComms team on both key campaigns and day-to-day activity. This has included creating social media content for our main channels, providing website updates (with a particular focus on updating our fisheries spotlight and blog pages), writing press releases, assisting on photoshoots, and much more.
Andrew Bremner, Scottish haddock fisherman
One of the highlights for me was supporting on our New Year Ocean Cookbook campaign, where we developed a digital cookbook filled with 12 sustainable recipes featuring the fishers who had caught each of the species involved. This included Andrew Bremner from the SFSAG Scottish haddock fishery in Scotland, who supplied the fish for Mitch Tonks’ haddock recipe. It was great to be part of such a successful and thought-provoking campaign, and even better to see my first press release land in a fishing trade magazine and our social media followers interact positively with each of the recipes we promoted across our channels (I’d highly recommend the anchovy pesto pasta!)
Mitch Tonk’s haddock with fennel & olives
Before beginning the internship programme with the MSC, I knew I wanted to put my writing and creativity skills to use in a team that is passionate about the ocean environment and enacting positive change, and I’ve definitely been able to do so, especially with the support of fantastic colleagues and the sponsorship from the Fishmongers’ Company. I feel confident that my time at the MSC has given me the skills needed to kickstart a career in comms, particularly within the marine sector, and I’m excited for what the future holds!
The Company has joined Fisheries Innovation Scotland (FIS), a unique public-private collaboration between seafood experts, government and scientists, exploring new ideas for greater prosperity and sustainability in Scottish seafood. The Company takes its place alongside high-profile members from catching, processing, retail and fisheries management.
FIS was created by the Scottish Government in 2014, and since then has commissioned more than £2m project spend on multidisciplinary research and investing in people to build prosperous and sustainable fisheries
Welcoming this new collaboration, FIS Chairman John Goodlad said “FIS is known for connecting the supply chain to release untapped potential in our seafood industry. FIS’ take on innovation is about genuine collaboration to add value to businesses and communities – a goal already shared by the Fishmongers’ Company, and we’re delighted to have the support of this ancient and esteemed industry leader.”
The Fishmongers’ Company will be represented on the FIS Board by Alison Freeman, who manages the Company’s Marine Fisheries programmes. Alison has experience of innovative projects across the breadth of the UK fisheries sector. She developed the Company’s COVID-19 ‘Rapid Response Grant Programme’, and a network and funding structure to enable industry-led science.
Alison explains: “The Company is thrilled to be joining the FIS membership. We have always admired FIS’ targeted approach to working with industry to pilot and champion innovative practices that improve the sustainability of the sector. Their mantra of ‘no fishing sector left behind’ firmly resonates with us and our own work programmes. We hope that this partnership will enable us to scale up projects and share practices for the benefit of the wider sector.”
FIS projects are designed and led by its members, responding to the most pressing innovation needs for Scottish seafood. Current projects include piloting digital technology to improve traceability and verification, and understanding what alternative vessel fuels might be realistic in a Scottish context. FIS’ Smartrawl project puts Scotland at the forefront of the innovative response to eliminating discards, allowing skippers to retain commercially valuable catch. FIS supports the next generation of industry leaders though travel and study bursaries, and will host the Scottish Fishing Conference in Autumn 2022.
There is currently very little known about what happens to juvenile wild Atlantic Salmon as they journey from our rivers to the sea, however we do know that their numbers are in crisis, dropping from 8-10 million in the mid-1980s to 2-3 million today. To improve our understanding of what is happening to these salmon, and the factors that are causing this decline, the Missing Salmon Alliance, convened and funded by the Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust are conducting two ambitious tracking programmes across Scotland. By better understanding what is causing this decline, we can then work to begin to halt and reverse the trend and secure a future for this iconic species. The below videos provide an overview of the tracking projects’ objectives and work so far, with initial results to be shared in the coming months.
The Moray Firth Tracking Project
The Moray Firth Tracking Project is a key element of the Missing Salmon Alliance’s work, providing valuable information to help understand smolt migration routes, and to identify the threats they face on their journey to sea. When launched in Spring 2019, the Moray Firth Tracking Project was the largest, most ambitious acoustic tracking project to ever be undertaken in Europe.
West Coast Tracking Project
Right now, there is very little information of what happens to our young salmon as they journey around our coasts. This presents a number of problems when trying to safeguard this important species. If we do not know where they are going, for example, we cannot make informed decisions to minimise the impact from the dangers they face. The West Coast Tracking Project will fill this gap in our knowledge, tracking wild Atlantic salmon over a three-year period to better understand their migration routes and, ultimately, to inform policy on how best to look after them.
The newly formed Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) Network, led by the Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust, Fishing into the Future and the Fishing Animateurs, is encouraging the fishing industry to come forward with their ideas for scientific studies that address issues with data deficient fisheries and develop industry ideas that support the science used in decision-making in the UK.
The FISP Network, comprised of three fishing charities, was set up to support a collaborative approach to fisheries research whereby fishers and scientists jointly develop a scientific proposal, based on a set of research needs set by government with stakeholder input. All developed proposals are supported through the process of applying for further stages of government grant funding.
The FISP Network launched in November 2021 to coincide with the inaugural opening of the government’s £10 million grant scheme, Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP). The FISP grant scheme is currently closed, however, the FISP Network are still asking people or groups within the industry to come forward with their ideas, so that proposals can be developed and written in time for the second round of the FISP grant, scheduled for spring 2022.
Why is industry input important?
The value of involving industry and using the intimate knowledge and experience of fishermen has historically been side-lined in scientific research and fisheries management, despite industry being most directly affected by management decisions in terms of their economic livelihoods and well-being. The failure to bring industry into the fold has ultimately impacted the sustainability of fisheries and has contributed to data deficit fisheries, poor research capacity and a siloed approach to conducting and developing fisheries science and management.
It is now widely accepted that industry, academia, and government all have unique contributions to make to fisheries research, and no single group can provide the information required to meet the increasing challenges of fisheries sustainability alone. Research that is collaborative (i.e., involving industry, academia, and government) will help to solve persistent and emerging problems in fisheries; effectively utilise the skillset of stakeholders; and help to build new capacity in fisheries science. Collaborative research also allows stakeholders to disseminate so that the science is effectively understood and accepted by a wider audience outside the scientific community.
The FISP grant scheme and supporting FISP Network provides a platform that enables industry-led priorities that are pertinent to sustainable fisheries management to be given a fair and equal opportunity to be developed and funded.
What is the FISP grant scheme?
The Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) scheme is a £10 million government fund which seeks to:
improve data collection, particularly for data limited species,
enhance knowledge of technical measures including fishing gear selectivity, and/or
build a better understanding of the ecosystem benefits and environmental impacts of aquaculture.
Projects can apply for funding to develop a research study (i.e., Part A of the FISP scheme) or fully developed scientific proposals can apply under Part B of the FISP scheme. Grants of up to £20,000 are available to develop research proposals. Contracts of up to £300,000 are available to carry out a full research project.
The FISP grant is a competitive process managed by DEFRA. The FISP Network does not have any influence over the grants awarded.
The Fishing Animateurs identify and collate industry-driven ideas, connect industry with academic institutes, and help to write grant application bids.
Fishing into the Future can help to develop the ideas further by supporting stakeholder relationships and facilitating knowledge sharing between industry, science and government.
The Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust offer match-funding for bids nurtured through the FISP network and approved under the FISP scheme. Funds are capped at £2,000 for Part A and £30,000 for Part B of the FISP scheme.
Who are the FISP Network?
The Fishing Animateurs
The Fishing Animateurs help members of the fishing industry understand the requirements of government grant programmes and support the application process. Their service is free of charge and is aimed primarily to support the small-scale coastal fleet.
Lead Contact: Imogen Smith-Devey. Imogen started working on the Fishing Animateur project two years ago, after studying for a Zoology Degree with an emphasis on marine ecosystems. During her time working in the Fishing Animateur team, Imogen has supported hundreds of fishermen to access government grant funding to improve their businesses. She believes in industry-led action and can help to access funding to enliven projects.
The Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust supports a wide range of projects, grants and convening to build and safeguard a prosperous and sustainable fishing and aquaculture industry. The Company’s Fish & Fisheries team work in collaboration with industry, government, academia, non-governmental and third sector organisations and engage across the breadth of the UK fisheries sector.
Lead Contact: Alison Freeman. Programme Manager. Alison Freeman manages the Company’s inshore fisheries programmes. She helped to set up the Company’s COVID-19 ‘Rapid Response Grant Programme’ and the Master Fishmonger Standard. She advocates community-led, regional fisheries management through a number of developing initiatives.
Fishing into the Future
Fishing into the Future is a UK charity that was built and is guided by fishermen. They support people in the fishing industry to engage with fisheries science, management and sustainable business practices and bring fishermen, scientists, and fisheries managers together to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and build confidence in order to achieve effective dialogue, collaboration and mutual understanding.
Lead Contact: Emma Plotnek, Executive Director. Emma Plotnek returned to the UK to work at Fishing into the Future in September 2020 after spending time working in the Chilean fishing sector. Since joining FITF, Emma has been guided by the industry to improve knowledge sharing between industry government, and the scientific community.
Who should I contact?
For further information or to tell us about your idea and/or study, please contact the Fishing Animateurs on:
Call: 01736 362782 to leave a message about your project idea. Text: 07534580450 with your name, project theme and size of vessel. Email: fishing@cornwallrcc.org.uk
Running right through the heart of western Europe’s largest city, the iconic River Thames has brought trade, travel, and tourists into London for millennia. As a focal feature of the cityscape, we often forget that the water under moving under our bridges flows in a living river, linking the upper catchment of the Thames/Isis to the North Sea via the Thames Estuary, and proving habitat and shelter for many aquatic species, from seahorses to the seals, and sharks to oysters.
Since 2015, the Zoological Society of London have been monitoring the tidal Thames to find out which fish use the estuary as a nursery – and supported by our Fisheries Charitable Trust – they have put together a guide to help identify fish that people working in and around the estuaries of the UK might commonly encounter.
This free practical guide contains a key to help identify over 50 species of adult and juvenile fishes that can be found in UK estuarine sampling. Aimed at anyone undertaking a fish survey, the guide provides useful information on the type of gear used to undertake shore-based sampling. It should prove useful to ecologists, marine biology students, anglers and anyone catching, or simply interested, in what lies beneath the surface of our city’s aquatic artery.
Through it’s compilation and publication, funded by our Fisheries Charitable Trust, we hope to make this information freely available to all who have an interest, as well as adding to the long term historical record of the health of estuarine environments, indicated by the diversity of fish species that call these habitats home.
The Food Teacher’s Centre’s Fish in School Hero programme, funded by the Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust, is bringing British mussels into 200 schools across the UK this week. The Fish in School Hero programme aims to ensure that every child gets a chance to prepare, cook and eat fish before they leave school, developing the next generation of seafood lovers.
Through “Mussel Power” 8000 students in 200 hundred schools across the country this week are cooking and tasting sensational freshly cooked dishes made with British mussels, such as Thai Style Mussel Broth, Tagliatelle Mussels, Seafood Pie, Mussel Fritters, Bacon and Mussel tart. The student chefs will be busy practising how to prepare and cook sustainable fresh fish, and they will be learning how mussels are rope-grown and harvested sustainably and provide key nutrients. Most of these students have never eaten mussels before.
“Can we order two tonnes of mussels please, and could you deliver them to 200 schools? We know that delivery might be quite tricky right now, but any chance?” This was the request that Simon Gray (Senior Associate, Food Teachers Centre UK) put to the fish industry. He was overwhelmed with the positive response and ‘can do’ approach with Offshore Shellfish donating the produce and Fowey Shellfish and M&J Seafood providing the logistical support to deliver the mussels to schools across the country
“Mussels are one of the most under-utilised shellfish in this country, so we are getting young people to try them in the safe, positive environment of their food and nutrition lessons. This would not have been possible without the amazing industry partners offering to support this so that there is no cost to schools. Schools are super excited and hugely grateful for Sarah at Offshore Shellfish’s generous gift and in awe of the logistical processing and delivery challenges navigated so expertly by Matt and Pat.” said Simon.
Offshore Shellfish kindly donated 2 tonnes of grade ‘A’ rope grown mussels especially for this initiative. Sarah Holmyard, Offshore Shellfish, Head of Sales and Marketing says: “We are delighted to support the Fish in School Heroes programme by supplying our mussels for thousands of school children to try. It is so important for children to have access to foods they may not otherwise try and be the next generation of seafood enthusiasts. Mussels are so quick and simple to cook, are great for you, and great for the environment so are perfect for the children to try”.
Fowey Shellfish have been key in collecting and transporting the mussels, ready to be shipped off to schools all around the UK. Pat Currah, Operations Manager, explained: “Fowey Shellfish have been instrumental in the whole process and have arranged timely collection of the mussels from Brixham, transporting them back to Fowey to be depurated overnight, and then packed to maintain the quality and safety of the produce, ready for the next stage of the journey to schools.”
From there M&J Seafood have used their delivery team to transport the produce to the schools, ready to be enjoyed by hungry and eager pupils. Matt Orr, Operations Manager, said: “M&J Seafood have taken on the massive logistical challenge to get the shellfish out to the 200 lucky schools across the country. M & J Seafood stepped up to the plate to distribute the mussels through their existing logistics’ network and out to individual schools nationwide.”
