The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council has agreed to a resolution that asks the US government to address a suite of concerns before acting on the proposed expansion on the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (MNM) in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The proposed monument expansion could prohibit commercial tuna fishing by US vessels in two-thirds of US offshore waters around Hawaii.
Iceland’s Pirate Party stands to make some significant gains in the next general elections, due to be held in October. The Pirates have repeatedly polled high as attitudes to the country’s political parties have been assessed, and could become a major political force in a future government.
The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association (Norges Fiskarlaget) is encouraging skippers and fishermen to sign up for a meeting to be held alongside the Nor-Fishing exhibition in Trondheim next week.
Norwegian vessel owners’ federation Fiskebåt believes that the previous management rules for saithe in the North Sea is outdated and needs to be revised.
Guinea Bissau’s minister of fisheries has announced that Chinese fishing vessel Hai Feng will be supplying local markets.
Chinese fishing company Pingtan Marine Enterprises has secured access for thirteen of its fishing vessels to waters around Timor Leste.
The Queensland Government has announced a second round of voluntary licence buybacks for commercial fishers associated with the State’s new net-free fishing zones.
The sale of a substantial amount of quota to HB Grandi recently has re-ignited the debate in Iceland over whether or local authorities should have the right to step in when quota is sold from one district to another.
The European Commission has proposed a multi-annual plan for demersal fish stocks in the North Sea. The proposal covers demersal fish stocks, aiming to ensure these are fished at sustainable levels, brings decision-making closer to fishermen and replaces the current recovery plans for cod, plaice and sole.
Seafish is calling for vessel owners and skippers across the UK to participate in its annual economic survey of the UK fishing fleet. Researchers will be starting on the Scottish and Northern Irish coasts and progressing through England and Wales where they will collect data on fishing and vessel costs in order to build an up-to-date picture of the UK fleet’s economic performance.