Research reveals breakdown in relations between fishermen and regulators Max Dixon. Masters student Max Dixon featured earlier this year in the pages of FN (Fishing News, 21 July, ‘Do you trust the institutions that govern UK fisheries?’), when he asked…
The Scottish Pelagic Processors’ Association (SPPA) is calling for urgent government action to protect the processing industry from the serious impact of soaring energy costs. In a letter addressed to prime ministerial candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, Defra fisheries…
Defra announced last week a widespread consultation on the management of fly-shooting in UK waters, including an online survey The online survey is accessible here. The fishery is operated mainly by large Anglo-Dutch vessels, targeting non-quota species including red mullet,…
As Defra confirmed a new funding window for applications to the Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships (FISP) scheme – part of the £100m UK Seafood Fund – funding for another 17 projects was announced last week. The UK Seafood Fund was…
The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) AGM was held last Tuesday, aboard HMS Belfast, moored in the river Thames a mile downstream from Westminster, reports Andy Read. After delivering his annual report to the AGM, chairman Paul Gilson (pictured…
Sir Robert Goodwill, the recently appointed chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee, has written formally to Defra minister Victoria Prentis with a number of committee recommendations relating to the UK Seafood Fund. The letter, written after…
With fuel prices continuing to hover around the £1/litre mark, the industry is continuing to press Defra for some kind of financial support as vessels struggle to stay viable, reports Tim Oliver. High fish prices are helping the bottom line,…
The UK whitefish and pelagic sectors have been dealt a further blow with the latest news from Norway, reports Andy Read. The recent meeting in London between Norwegian fisheries minister Bjørnar Skjæran and UK minister Victoria Prentis, which was followed…
Defra has announced proposals for the first of a number of highly protected marine areas (HPMAs) in English waters where all fishing will be banned – effectively ‘no-take zones’, reports Tim Oliver. The setting up of a network of HMPAs…
Lucinda Rouse reports from last week’s Westminster debate on the existential threats to the inshore fleet Cross-party agreement abounded in Westminster Hall last Tuesday as MPs debated Britain’s inshore fleet and the difficulties facing fishing communities. MPs from across the…
