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…
New wind power developments may be back on the table after a government acknowledgment of the rising costs for the offshore industry. After months of industry pressure, and an auction round for the next generation of wind farms that failed…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Four Sons BM 68, the latest multi-purpose U10 designed by Ian Paton, is now working from its home port of Brixham. Helen Lovell-Smith, the Fishermen’s Mission area officer for Devon, blessed the new vessel before skipper-owner Derek Meredith and his…
