Established in 2012 on the eve of the newly reformed CFP, LIFE (Low Impact Fishers of Europe) was formed with the aim of representing European small-scale fishermen and 80% of vessels by number at a European level. Three years ago a branch was opened in Brussels, and now changes are taking place to the organisation’s structure.
Russia and the Argentina have struck an intergovernmental agreement on co-operation on fisheries and aquaculture, with the agreement signed during Vladimir Putin’s official visit to Buenos Aires.
Jacob van Urk joined the air force after leaving school, but found himself drawn back to the sea, spending time enjoying the freedom of the family’s sailing boat before returning to his fishing roots. Now in his mid-50s, he skippers Eurocutter Willem Jacob UK-158, landing catches to the auction in Urk.
Piriou has delivered two new longliners to New Caledonia company Navimon, a subsidiary of Sem Sodil, as the first in a series of new vessels.
Norway’s Institute of Marine Research has advised that the 2019 snow crab quota should be between 3500 and 5000 tonnes, and favours closure from 15th June to 15th September.
A new semi-pelagic trawl door design from Danish producer Thyborøn Trawldoor looks promising. The new BlueStream Type 23 doors have been developed based on the company’s experience with its Type 14 doors. These powerful doors are predicted to result in significant fuel savings when demersal fishing, with no drop in catch rates.
According to Plateforme Petite Pêche, representing French small-scale fishermen, commercial fishing for bass in the Bay of Biscay has been subject to an annual catch limit, set for 2018 at 2240 tonnes. But as of 22nd November, only 200 tonnes were left, less that 10% of the total at a critical time of the year.
Since the establishment of the Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) Programme in 2013 under the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) it has gone from strength to strength. In a major departure from previous fisheries funding programmes it involves a partnership approach between a state agency, in Ireland in the form of BIM, and coastal communities to develop a Local Development Strategy (LDS) and allocate funding to implement that strategy.
Ordered back in 2017, and scheduled to be ready ahead of 2019 harvesting season, Aker BioMarine’s flagship vessel is taking shape at the Vard shipyard, built at a cost of NoK 1 billion (€103 million), making the 130 metre vessel one of a kind.
After five previous rounds of negotiation, the EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands have agreed on a division of mackerel quotas for 2019, with a 20% reduction in catches compared to the 2018 level. Previous negotiations also included Russia, Iceland and Greenland, but no agreement was reached on the quota split between individual states.
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