Flags and wheelhouse stickers distributed to fishing ports across the UK are delivering the fishing industry’s message to the Government and politicians as the UK/EU withdrawal negotiations edge towards a critical stage.
Greenlandic minister Vivian Motzfeldt, whose remit includes foreign affairs, has completed a round of meetings with representatives of EU institutions, including a meeting with Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.
Forum Fisheries Ministers announced the appointment of the incoming Director General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen, at the conclusion of the 15th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial meeting which was held in the Cook Islands on 3-5th July, chaired by Cook Islands Prime Minister and Minister of Marine Resources, Honourable Henry Puna.
The newest operational Regional Fisheries Management Organisation, the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement, one of the newest operational RFMOs, which covers species other than tuna in the Indian Ocean, has adopted its first IUU vessel list.
The European Union has lifted its yellow card restriction on Tuvalu following the island state’s reform of its fisheries management. This recognises the important progress of Tuvalu in addressing the shortcomings in its fisheries governance.
To help improve regulatory advice, ABPmer has been appointed by Defra and the MMO to improve understanding of how seals interact with commercial fisheries and to review options for non-lethal measures to deter seals from taking catches. A survey of opinions from commercial fishermen is part of the brief.
The International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (WorldFish) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have agreed to boost their efforts to build the resilience of fishing people and small-scale fish farmers, promote sustainable aquaculture, and improve fish value chains.
With the livelihoods of millions of fishery-dependent people at risk, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva has appealed to the international community to provide adequate support to help countries adapt and urged governments to resolve adaptation funding disputes.
The 2018 FAO State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) report predicts that global fisheries production is set to pass 200 million tonnes by 2030. The current figure is 171 million tonnes, with capture fisheries at a steady level and the expected growth is in aquaculture. The overall first-sale value of all fisheries and aquaculture production in 2016 is put at $362 billion.
Environmental group World Animal Protection intends to use the 33rd Committee on Fisheries (COFI) session in Rome, taking place 9-13th July, as a platform to demand that member states of the FAO ensure that by 2025 all fishing nets should be ID tagged.