MMO agrees to bass appeals process
Following the NFFO’s meeting with Fisheries Minister, George Eustice, when the absence of an appeals process for bass entitlements was criticised, the MMO has announced a turnaround in the official approach.
Bass answers needed urgently
The NFFO has raised the issue of bass with Fisheries Minister George Eustice. At a meeting this week, the NFFO highlighted the unnecessary rigidity of the rules for gillnetters, as well as spelling out the consequences – the discarding of valuable bycatch.
NFFO sets out need for appeals process on bass
The National Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (NFFO) has written urgently to UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice calling for an appeals process to be put in place for those vessels excluded from the bass fishery.
Crisis averted on southern bass
Some fishing companies will have to tighten their belts yet again as the 2017 quotas come into force, according to French fishermen’s body CNPMEM. A crisis for southern bass in the Bay of Biscay has been narrowly averted, but the same can not be said of the bass fishery in northern waters.
Bass ban could split French industry
Since restrictions on fishing for bass came into force in 2015, the proposed ban on bass for next year could spark a split within the French fishing sector.
Bass ban will generate discards, says NFFO
The NFFO has made it clear to UK Fisheries Minister, George Eustice that the EU Commission’s proposal to extend the moratorium on fishing for bass with gill nets should be vigorously opposed. It warns that such a ban will create discards just as efforts are being made to end them.
Commission sets out 2017 proposals
The European Commission has set out its proposals for the Atlantic and North Sea next year ahead of this year’s December Fisheries Council. Under these, hake looks positive with a proposal for a substantial quota increase, but the outlook for sea bass is grim.
Creating new discards
With the introduction of the landing obligation for demersal species being phased in between now and 2019, the intentions contrast starkly with the reality, and Paul Trebilcock, chief executive if the Cornish FPO, says that several brand-new discards have been brought into existence.
LIFE welcomes small-scale lifeline on bass
The decision by the Council of Fisheries Ministers to provide special treatment small scale liners and netters who depend on bass for their livelihoods has been welcomed by LIFE (Low Impact Fishers of Europe)