Land: UK

KIMO UK is delighted by the announcement that the Transport Select Committee is to conduct an inquiry into the Government’s proposals for the coastguard service. The inquiry will also cover the changes to the arrangements for Emergency Towing Vessels (ETV) and the Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG), changes that KIMO UK have been campaigning against to ensure that the UK remains best equipped for a marine pollution incident.

A coalition of fishermen’s groups set up to provide a united voice on how marine protected areas are established in UK waters has confirmed that it will be exhibiting at the Fishing 2011 Expo in Glasgow. The MPA Fishing Coalition will use the high-profile event at the SECC to highlight how the current implementation of a network of Marine Protected Areas is being mishandled.

With only just over 4400 boxes of whitefish landed for the first two markets of last week February 7-8 at Peterhead Harbour Scotland’s premier fishing port after fishing was slowed by severe storms.

The Fisheries Secretary has announced an expansion to Scotland’s innovative ‘catch quota’ trials, where fishermen can land more fish while catching less.

The salmon processing and farming group, Morpol., has announced its UK salmon farm with new name called the Meridian Salmon Group.

Scotland’s Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham met with European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki, to discuss Scotland’s successful aquaculture industry.

The North East drift net fishery has come under sustained pressure from the powerful and well connected angling lobby for over 30 years. Most fishermen in Northumbria would agree that it has survived the onslaught of the anglers’ pressures primarily because of the determined and resourceful efforts of the the NFFO Salmon Committee, led by Chairman Derek Heselton.