• Round two of English Fisheries Management Plans unfolds

    Round two of English Fisheries Management Plans unfolds

    29th November 2023

    Defra hosted an online meeting recently to discuss the development of the next five English-led Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs), which will be published in the new year. FMPs are required under the Fisheries Act that was signed into law in…

  • Progress slow in TAC and fishing opportunity talks

    Progress slow in TAC and fishing opportunity talks

    29th November 2023

    Industry leaders following the negotiations on TAC and fishing opportunities in 2024 said last week that there was little progress to report. A series of bilateral meetings between the UK and Norway and the UK and EU, and trilateral talks…

  • First steps in crawfish management

    First steps in crawfish management

    23rd November 2023

    Fishermen in the South West have broadly welcomed the announcement by the MMO last week of a move to raise the MLS for crawfish to 110mm carapace length, and to consult on the establishment of a closed season. The MLS…

  • As ML5 deadline looms: “We have heard nothing”

    As ML5 deadline looms: “We have heard nothing”

    22nd November 2023

    It was promised in parliament on 13 July this year. After several postponements, Mark Harper, secretary of state for transport, finally met with Mike Cohen, the chief executive of the NFFO, on 25 October. The much-anticipated meeting was touted by…

  • Pollack zero TAC for area VII would be ‘devastating’

    Pollack zero TAC for area VII would be ‘devastating’

    21st November 2023

    Concern is spreading across the South West industry as the implications of a ‘zero TAC’ recommendation for area VII pollack sink in. The species, long a mainstay of many inshore vessels, and a poster fish for low-impact fishing methods, has…

  • Getting to grips with fishing gear

    Getting to grips with fishing gear

    17th November 2023

    Seafish recently refreshed its longstanding working relationship with the Sintef Flume Tank in Hirtshals in northern Denmark by running a two-day basic fishing gear training course there for 14 non-fishers. Consumers increasingly expect responsibly sourced seafood, which means there is…

  • Pelagic tension escalates

    Pelagic tension escalates

    16th November 2023

    The recent agreement by coastal states meeting under the NEAFC umbrella in London, confirming TACs for shared pelagic stocks in line with scientists’ advice, has failed to dampen the rising tensions between the parties involved, with little likelihood that quota…

  • NFFO joins call for freeze of ML5

    NFFO joins call for freeze of ML5

    15th November 2023

    The NFFO added its voice to that of the NUTFA last week, asking the MCA to paise the implementation of the ML5 requirements, which are due to come into effect on 1 December. In an open letter to the MCA…

  • Scottish Highly Protected Marine Areas plans scrapped

    Scottish Highly Protected Marine Areas plans scrapped

    14th November 2023

    The Scottish government formally announced last week that it will not be proceeding with its hugely controversial plans to designate 10% of Scottish waters as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). There was a massive backlash against the plans, and the…

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