Tag: Marine

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, a coalition 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. 

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.

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.

More information about the FISP scheme can be found on the government website.

What does the Network do?

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 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

More information: https://www.fishinganimateur.co.uk

With the UK’s exit from EU and the Common Fisheries Policy there is a clear opportunity to learn from the ways in which other countries around the world manage their waters and fisheries. On November 21st 2017 the Company was able to bring together the experience of fisheries management experts from four independent coastal states (Norway, Australia, New Zealand and the USA) with delegates from the UK fishing industry, civil society, NGOs and the public sector, to discuss and produce a report on examples of Best Practice in World Fisheries.

This event, co-hosted with the Blue Marine Foundation, pulled together representatives from all parts of the fishing industry and environmental NGOs – a mix of organisations who have not traditionally found it easy to work together.

The Conference, preceded, the night before, by a very successful dinner which helped break the ice and set the scene, was attended by 150 invited delegates from industry, civil society, the public sector and the press. After an introduction from Chairman of the Company’s Fish & Fisheries Committee, Nigel Bankes, the event was chaired by Sir John Beddington, former Chief Government Scientific Adviser (2008-1013) and presented perspectives from from the USA, Margaret Spring, Vice President of Conservation, Monterey Bay and a former US Deputy Under Secretary of State for Oceans; from Norway, Peter Gullestad Director, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries; from Australia, Professor George Kaillis, University of Notre Dame; and from New Zealand, Speaker: Dr Geoff Tingley, Director, Sustainable Fisheries Partnerships.  

Each speaker was responded to by a representative from both industry and civil society including academics from Plymouth and Exeter Universities, and representatives from the Marine Stewardship Council, Price Waterhouse Coopers, the Deepwater Group and Norwegian Fishermen’s Association. The 45 minute plenary discussion after each session helped to clearly and constructively expose the problems, opportunities, challenges and lessons learned in these four countries and stimulating debate about how we might make the best of the opportunities afforded to UK fisheries, by Brexit.

The Rt Hon. Michael Gove MP, then Secretary of State for DEFRA, spoke to the assembled guests and answered questions. He welcomed the conclusions of the conference, saying :

“Leaving the European Union gives us an historic opportunity to develop a world-class fishing industry while proving ourselves environmental leaders. I have always been clear any new domestic fishing policy needs to be guided by science, and I welcome this report and the insight it gives us into practices around the world.”

The ability to convene, build partnerships and fill knowledge gaps is a key element of our work to support a more sustainable and profitable UK fisheries sector, and at the time, this conference succeeded in facilitating collaboration between industry and civil society figures in a way not done before. The discussion and subsequent report helped to identify clear knowledge gaps and potential opportunities for the UK fishing industry post-Brexit.

Read the full report produced after the ‘Best Practice in World Fisheries’ Conference here.

  

Fishing communities are central to the UK’s coastal economies and heritage and are vital in supplying our namesake trade with fresh, sustainable seafood. This understanding underpins the Company’s commitment to building a prosperous future for the UK fishing industry through our support for and engagement with collaborative and innovative projects. Effective and fair management of our fisheries, that works for both our ecosystems and the fishermen that rely on them, is crucial in supporting and developing healthy and thriving coastal communities.

This is why the Company’s Fisheries Charitable has strengthened its strategic partnership with Fishing into the Future (FITF), an independent UK charity led by people working in the fishing industry. The partnership includes a substantial grant to implement a three-year work programme that builds on their innovative learning and leadership initiative. This work is being coordinated by fisheries and seafood expert, Emma Plotnek, who has been brought on board to take on the role as FITF’s Programme Manager.

The major initiatives enabled by this grant will build on the charity’s education and leadership programme as well as strengthen an established peer-learning network. Since its inception, FITF has been instrumental in delivering unique learning opportunities designed to equip fishermen, scientists and fisheries managers with the knowledge, connections, and confidence to work together towards effective fisheries management, for a sustainable and prosperous UK fishing industry. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, FITF is currently focused on building relationships and knowledge remotely through an online network and series of digital interventions and events, aiming to restart face-to-face activities later in 2021.

Fishing into the Future’s Chairman, Dave Stevens, owner and skipper of the demersal trawler, Crystal Sea SS 118, remarks on the importance of charity’s work and the benefit the support from The Fishmongers’ Company will bring:

“Improving regular communication between stakeholders is fundamental if we are to build trust among industry players, but on top of this we aim to increase the impact of these conversations by improving how we talk and listen to one another. When you compare a fisherman’s background with that of scientists and policy makers, we have a very different formation and experience, which puts us at risk of not making ourselves heard – or lacking the technical language to communicate what we know best through experience. Thanks to the support from the Fishmongers’ Company, we can continue devise and deliver solutions to help communication, build transparency and foster co-management that is nurtured by collaborative data collection and science.”

Support from funders such as the Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust, and the voluntary input from FITF’s Trustees is vital to prove the concept that viable solutions to complex problems can be achieved through building knowledge and understanding among people working in UK fisheries.

Additional time and expertise is provided by Alison Freeman, Fisheries Programme Manager at Fishmongers’ Company. She added:

“We support a wide range of projects, grants, and convening to build and safeguard a prosperous and sustainable fishing industry that benefits its users. This collaboration aims to help build a transdisciplinary approach to fisheries management that emphasises the need for collaborative problem‐solving among stakeholders.”

Through additional funding from Seafarers UK, FITF has hired fisheries and seafood lead, Emma Plotnek, to coordinate this new programme of work.  Emma is currently focused on strengthening and developing FITF’s network to improve knowledge, cohesion and collaboration within the UK fishing sector. This includes preparing events and tailored workshops, so that a representative pool of people within the catching sector can participate in management, science, and business scenarios. Emma adds:

“Once the value of this work is fully appreciated, we hope the work delivered by FIFT will become integrated into the foundations of a prosperous UK fishing sector, based on effective dialogue, collaboration and a mutual understanding.”

The Charity’s work depends on engagement from a fully representative body of supporters and if you would like to find out more about Fishing into the Future they can be contacted on the phone, via email or on social media.

Image: STOCK IMAGE SEAFISH. COPYRIGHT GARETH EASTON 07752666522 GARETH EASTON PHOTOGRAPHY LTD. IMAGE LICENCED TO SEAFISH AND SEAFISH STAKEHOLDER LIBRARY. NO SYNDICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR SALE TO ANY THIRD PARTY.

The Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust (FCFCT) is pleased to be joining forces with the charity, Fishing into the Future (FITF) through a transition period from 2020 to 2022.  

FITF is a UK registered charity, formed by a strategic partnership between: the Prince of Wales’ Charities ‘International Sustainability Unit’ (ISU); industry body, Sea Fish Authority (Seafish); and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI). Since becoming established in 2015, the charity has maintained a Board Membership of two-thirds active fishermen. FITF value fishermen as key assets in ensuring the long-term health of fisheries and heavily endorse co-management as a principle of good fisheries management. FITF help to resolve the ‘cultural barriers’ to co-management by connecting and empowering stakeholders through a creative and innovative education and leadership programme. 

Using our trusted networks, FITF and the FCFCT will work together with fishermen, scientists, government, and seafood businesses to help build a transdisciplinary approach to fishery management that emphasises the need for collaborative problem‐solving among stakeholders. As two neutral and independent organisations, we are trusted facilitators within the seafood industry and have the freedom to develop innovative solutions. 

With financial support from the FCFCT and additional resource capacity from one of the FCFCT’s Programme Managers, Alison Freeman, our collective aim is to build upon the FITF education programmes and improve access to the tools, information and training needed to bolster the fishing industry and coastal economies. A priority going forward will be to develop a supportive alumni network, which will offer ongoing support and training to the attendees of FITF initiatives. Under the new direction, we will also plan to use FITF to support regional and gear/species-specific meetings, workshops, and symposiums. We would also like to explore radical opportunities for participation in co-management and would like to embed the FITF curriculum into early career development programmes. 

Improving regular communication between stakeholders will also be fundamental if we are to help tackle the trust issues that exist in the industry. Our intention is to therefore devise and deliver sustainable solutions to help communication pathways. Current restrictions will, in the interim, focus the FITF portfolio on building relationships and knowledge remotely through an online portal and series of webinars.  

Fishing is an often dangerous and financially precarious occupation. For almost 140 years the Fishermen’s Mission have provided financial and pastoral support for the UK’s fishermen and their families. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic they have provided invaluable support for fishers across the country.

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Now, Jack Gatacre wants to give something back. In honour, of his girlfriend’s father, a retired fisherman from Pittenweem, Fife, he is kayaking almost 700 miles around the southern half of Scotland to raise money for the Fishermen’s Mission.

Starting on the 1st of August in the fishing village of Pittenweem in Fife, Jack will travel past Edinburgh along the Firth of Forth, then taking the Forth & Clyde canal past Glasgow, into the Clyde and then round the Mull of Kintyre, Arran, Jura, Mull, Fort William and into the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness before returning to the North Sea at Inverness passing Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews.

I am very grateful to the Fishmongers’ Company for their great support in my charitable lap of Scotland for the Fishermen’s Mission. Firstly the Company has very generously already given me a grant towards the cost of the trip. I have spent this money on very useful and costly safety items including a VHF radio, personal locator beacon, , top of the range tent and bivy, modern buoyancy aid and wetsuit. Our aims are aligned: raising as much money as possible for the Fishermen’s Mission and having an enjoyable and safe expedition to attract charitable funds.

Jack outlining his gratitude for the support shown by the Company

To sponsor Jack and provide the Fishermen’s Mission with much needed funds, click here.