Land: UK

Commercial fishing would now be some way cheaper with the advent of low cost device that could revolutionize it.

With the site recommendations by the four English regional MCZ projects due to be published on 7th September, a significant stage in the process has now been completed. A new phase now begins. From the recommendations of the projects, the process now moves to the public bodies, government and the Minister to decide on sites to go forward for designation, accompanying conservation objectives and to consider the management measures required within the zones to meet these objectives.

The Federation is gearing up for an extremely busy autumn. Although the number of stocks under long term management plans is increasing, theoretically reducing the significance of the December Council, the Commission’s suggestion that all stocks suffering from “data deficiencies” should be subject to a 25% reduction in TAC, ensures that we will have to fight to block this perverse and entirely counterproductive approach.
At the same time, the STECF/ICES report on the EU Cod Management Plan points to the need for serious changes and the first issue to address is what kind of interim arrangements should apply for 2012 given that the present pre-programmed reductions delivers high levels of discards. One of the clear lessons from an analysis of the current Plan is that a tailored approach is required for the Irish Sea.

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation will tomorrow (31 August) host a visit to Peterhead of the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICE) so as to enhance their understanding of the key issues facing the fishing industry.

A Scots fishing charity is once again helping fund the fisheries managers and marine scientists of tomorrow.
The Scottish Fishermen’s Trust is funding three three-year bursaries worth £1000 for students doing the taught and research Masters in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology Programme at the University of Aberdeen.