Common-sense approach needed for discard ban
Commenting on the claim by WWF Scotland that the discard ban is being inadequately policed, SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong commented that no-one hates discarding more than fishermen.
Calls for project gear discards reduction initiative ideas
Skippers, trawl makers and gear technologists are being urged to participate in the second phase of projects now being called by the Gear Innovation and Technology Advisory Group (GITAG) to develop and trial innovative new types of fishing gear aimed at reducing discards.
Discard ban – Potential for chaos
The discard ban has a colossal potential for chaos, according to Johan Nooitgedagt of Dutch fishermen’s association De Nederlandse Vissersbond.
Thirty years, and still not there
Norway has had a 30-year experience of outlawed discards since the first cod discard ban was put into place in 1987 and Vidar Landmark, Director General at the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture said that the first thing to bear in mind is that a discard ban does not end discards.
Rush into Landing Obligation
Speaking at last week’s IIFET conference in Aberdeen, Niels Wichmann of the Danish FPO said that there has been a rush to implement the landing obligation, driven partly by fears over cod, and will lead to a a chaotic situation in 2019.
Too much, too fast
The debate over the Landing Obligation boils down to the livelihoods of fishermen and their families, said Pim Visser, who represents Dutch fishermen’s organisation VisNed and the European Association of FPOs (EAPO).
Belgian fleet choked out of VIIh-k
Speaking at the IIFET conference in Aberdeen, Emiel Brouckaert of Belgian PO Rederscentrale said that the Belgian fleet had already been hit by the choke species problem less six months into the year, with Areas VIIh-k already closed off to them.
Prospering with higher selectivity
Speaking at as panel session organised by the Environmental Defense Fund at the International Institute for Fisheries Economics and Trade (IIFET) conference in Aberdeen this week, Peter Olsson of the Swedish Fishermen’s PO stated that is possible to prosper with increased selectivity.
Third Sept protest in Rotterdam
The grassroots Dutch ‘Eendracht Maakt Kracht’ (Unity Is Strength) campaign, kickstarted online by a group of fishermen, has been gathering pace.
Discard plan recommendations submitted
The North Western Waters member states have submitted their joint recommendations to the EU Commission for the 2017 Discard Plan and North Sea member states have submitted theirs for the 2017/18 Discard Plan.