ANNONCER
A wrong decision has been taken on sea bass, according to the NFFO team that took part in this year’s December Council, and their opinion is that restrictions will lead to increased bass mortality and increased discards.
A fisherman with over 40 years experience has been sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for two years after pleading guilty to offences under the Merchant Shipping Act.
South-West FPO chief executive Jim Portus said that this year’s December Council had turned out to be one of the longer ones, resulting in a mixed bag for South-West and Channel fishermen containing both good fortune and despair.
The outcomes of this year’s December Council in Brussels bring mixed fortunes for Cornish fishermen, according to CFPO chief executive Paul Trebilcock.
There’s a positive vibe from Scottish government, which states that an additional £44 million worth of fishing opportunities will be available to the Scottish fishing industry in the wake of this year’s December Council, part of an overall £44 million package that includes the outcomes of deals with the Faroes and Norway.
The Shetland Fishermen’s Association has hit out at the deal struck at this week’s December Council, stating that while there are some positive outcomes for whitefish, the same does not apply to the pelagic sector.
UK fishing industry leaders have urged ministers to rule out a long Brexit transition for the industry to ensure clarity for UK fleets as they leave the Common Fisheries Policy. According to Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong, a nine-month ‘bridge’ is all that is required.
A certification scheme is being developed to promote good practice in UK fishing ports and give seafood buyers added confidence in the quality and sustainability of the seafood landed there.
A team from the International Transport Federation (ITF) have been at the centre of freeing a group of Ghanaian crewmen from a UK fishing vessel, and have been shocked at the mistreatment the men had suffered.
(The vessel pictured in the background has no connection with the events referred to here)
The owner of a fishing vessel was fined a total of £4000 at Stornoway Sheriff Court for failing to secure the safe operations of his vessel in a prosecution brought by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
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