Volume 7 | 2021
FREE MAGAZINE
Welcome to the latest edition of Quay Issues The articles in Quay Issues dig into the everyday challenges facing our coastal communities. Some challenges are decades old while others have come about more recently. In every case featured here, we are reminded of the extreme resilience, fortitude and innovation that characterises the UK fishing industry. Covid-19 has disrupted normal routes to market. Our first article picks up on the innovative use of digital platforms to find new ways to trade. Fuel is the single biggest cost for most fishing boats. Our feature on hydrogen technologies showcases a simple device that could increase fuel efficiency and profitability. For some share fishermen it can be difficult to access traditional financial services (e.g. loans and insurance). We look at the challenges and where assistance is available. We also have an article examining barriers to entry for newcomers to the industry in Northern Ireland. Fishing is embedded in the heart of many small coastal towns. We’ll introduce you to the remarkable people of Rosehearty in North East Scotland who have taken a very proactive approach to ensure the community and fishing interests work in harmony for the benefit of all.
Fishing infrastructure requires considerable investment. We’ll show you how a fishing community in Eastbourne, supported by a host of other organisations and the local community have unlocked funding to develop a new fishing quay and facilities. Reliable, trustworthy, science-based fisheries management is essential to unlock the full potential of fisheries around the UK. We wrap up this edition of Quay Issues with two fisheries management articles. The first highlights the extraordinary work underway in Berwickshire where an industry science partnership is on a mission to gain a better understanding of stock status. The second article reports on the ground-breaking Future of Our Inshore Fisheries initiative aiming to establish an effective inshore fisheries regime that can provide profitable and sustainable fishing opportunities for generations to come.
I hope you enjoy Quay Issues. In difficult times, the features here offer hope, inspiration and once again highlight just how resilient and resourceful the UK fishing industry can be. My thanks to all our contributors and the editorial team.
Marcus Coleman Chief Executive Officer, Seafish
02
In this edition… 02
Seafood has a new follower
08
Love Seafood
12 Hydrogen: A catalyst for lower fuel costs
08
12
16
Fishing without a safety net?
20
Rosehearty: A community united
24
Planning for the future
28 A 30-year-old promise: The development of Eastbourne Harbour 34 Behind the scenes at Berwickshire Marine Reserve 40
Quay Stats: Net Fishing
42
The Future of Our Inshore Fisheries
45
We want to hear from you
16
20
24
28
34
42
01 QUAY ISSUES
SEAFOOD HAS A NEW FOLLOWER
Seafood has a new follower By Joe Cooper
In the English Channel, a fisherman posts a picture on Instagram of a freshly caught Dover sole. Within minutes it’s sold, and 18 hours later the fisherman is tagged in a picture of the same fish, now pan-fried in caper butter. The home cook – 170 miles away – thanks the fisherman for his hard work and the tasty catch. With consumers told to stay home through most of 2020, direct and online sales like this have grown. This model has provided a lifeline for some fishermen struggling to cope with the economic shocks caused by Covid-19, but how do fishermen access these routes to market, and do they have a future?
02 QUAY ISSUES
SEAFOOD HAS A NEW FOLLOWER
03 QUAY ISSUES
SEAFOOD HAS A NEW FOLLOWER
Sarah and Darren Ready.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, direct sales offered a complementary alternative to the traditional supply chains that were shaken up by national and global lockdowns. Faced with uncertainty, lack of export opportunity and low prices, some businesses seized these new routes to market bringing fresh, home-caught seafood to the plates of consumers across the UK. Innovative online platforms have been key to helping fishermen, fishmongers, processors, retailers and wholesalers tap into the domestic market, connecting producers and consumers. In the 2020 Seafish fleet and processing sector surveys, around a quarter of participants said they had to change sales and distribution operations in response to Covid-19. They described local deliveries, using online marketing and selling direct as ways of coping; some also said the new initiatives have been so successful that they intended to continue with them, even as markets recover. To support the seafood industry through the pandemic, the rules around direct sales were relaxed. Fishing businesses were able to sell direct to the public, up to a limit of 30kg per transaction in England and 25kg in Scotland. This allowed fishing
04 QUAY ISSUES
businesses to tap directly into domestic markets and ensured that the public had access to fresh seafood while the supermarket shelves emptied. A common factor of successful direct sales in any industry is marketing and reaching consumers through online platforms. It’s not unusual these days to see fishing businesses marketing on Facebook or Instagram. Here, they can share their passion for their quality catch and stories that show the personal side of the seafood sector.
Social media is proving a valuable marketing tool. It’s easy to access by businesses and consumers alike, whether the catch is advertised to the family down the road or halfway across the country. Sarah Ready of Two Brothers Ltd, a family-run inshore fishing business from Brixham, explained: “The general public who are buying our fish really genuinely seem interested in the way the fish is caught, the day at sea, what goes into fishing behind the scenes, our ups and downs.”
SEAFOOD HAS A NEW FOLLOWER
Growing their customer base has taken time and effort. The first step was to get to grips with social media and marketing; as Sarah explained: “I had never really done Facebook before and my husband had never been online. We embraced positive feedback with pictures to engage with our buyers and I now devote a lot of time to Instagram.”
Sarah and Darren’s boat, The Two Brothers.
At the start of lockdown, Sarah’s normal sales routes began to dry up and business wasn’t looking hopeful for Two Brothers Ltd. Sarah and her husband Darren, skipper of their inshore boat MFV Two Brothers BM516, made the difficult decision to tie up for three weeks. As the lockdown continued, Sarah watched the growth of online sales and home deliveries for organic food and saw similarities with their own business. Sarah explained: “I did some research on the statistics for the growth of organic food sales and modelled our business on an organic-type product. We decided to go down the high-end premium route for our prime product.”
Key to building engagement on social media is regular contact with followers and providing a personal service. Sarah posts all sorts of updates on their Instagram profile, from photos to livestreams, showing customers how the fish is caught and what goes on behind the scenes. This ensures that customers feel close to the product. Ready Fish Box has built quite the customer base online, as Sarah said: “With the social media we now have, we could pull a mobile delivery service for all of our fish within a couple of days.”
Taking inspiration from organic food box deliveries, the couple launched their own direct sales initiative, Ready Fish Box, in May 2020. The idea was simple: to provide local customers, the community, hotels, restaurants and fish buyers freshly caught Brixham fish. They made a successful funding application to the Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme (DSSS), allowing them to buy an electric hybrid fish van so they could make local deliveries.
05 QUAY ISSUES
SEAFOOD HAS A NEW FOLLOWER
Alongside their direct sales, Sarah and Darren also sell their catch through Pesky Fish, an online seafood marketplace that delivers from inshore boats to doorsteps across the UK. “Pesky have the integrity of the way in which they deliver quality through transportation and they do the nationwide delivery.” Pesky’s digital marketplace links producers and consumers, helping fishermen connect with home cooks, professional chefs and retailers. Set up in 2018 but adding home deliveries to its list of services in May 2020, Pesky Fish has quickly grown as a popular digital platform with over 8,000 Instagram followers. Fishermen add the day’s catch to the digital marketplace, open from 8pm until 9am every Sunday to Thursday, where buyers can bid.
One buyer commented on Instagram: “Back in the day I used to sit at my computer waiting for gig tickets to come on sale, now it’s fish.” Fishing is a difficult and time-consuming job, and finding the time to invest in marketing and social media may be challenging for some. Ready Fish Box has the advantage of being a family business, so while Darren works at sea, Sarah can manage the business administration and Andy Matchett, Operations Manager at Pesky Fish.
Two Brothers reach customers UK-wide through the following platforms:
Local
06 QUAY ISSUES
Regional
peskyfish.co.uk Social Media
SEAFOOD HAS A NEW FOLLOWER
marketing. Sarah explained: “We are very lucky that my husband is a fantastic skipper and engineer, and I can do the paperwork and branding. We manage to cover all aspects. Many fishermen, although fantastic fishers, will struggle with the day to day of direct selling.” Sarah points out that the Ready Fish Box model may not work for everyone but also highlights options that could help enable some to reach these markets.
“Selling into a co-op or marketplace like Pesky is vital for those that do not have the help of the PR and media and sales acumen for selling direct, or in areas where there is an inability for fishermen to get a decent price for the catch.” Pesky Fish and other similar online platforms have sprung up regionally and nationally to support fishing businesses sell direct and to nudge consumers towards producers. Consumers can follow fishermen catching their favourite fish through livestream videos, pictures and stories on social media. Interactive maps like the one created by Discover Seafood locate fishmongers and fishermen near consumers and highlight home delivery
options. Seafish has also provided social media marketing workshops to support fishermen looking to get to grips with this new set of skills. Sarah and Darren’s journey has taken significant investments of time and energy, but she says it’s worth it:
“The ability to sell direct for us, getting the maximum amount for each fish, is vital with the spiralling costs of running a vessel. This has given us complete control of how we market and the sales route we go down. We would never go back to selling all of our fish to one large trawler agent.” Covid-19 drastically changed the shape of our supply chains, but it also opened up new opportunities. It brought fresh, local seafood directly into people’s homes, showcasing the delicious product fishermen can offer and creating new interest in and passion about seafood. As we recover from the economic shock of Covid-19 and adapt to new trading relationships, this new appetite amongst British consumers for fresh home-caught seafood could be vital.
Find out more:
National
Covid-19’s impact on industry: www.seafish.org/insight-and-research/ covid-19-impact-on-seafood-industry Guidance on direct sales: www.seafish.org/trade-and-regulation/ covid-19-support-for-the-seafood-industry/ selling-seafood-directly-to-consumers
directseafoods.co.uk
07 QUAY ISSUES
LOVE SEAFOOD
Launched in October 2020, Love Seafood is Seafish’s ambitious long-term consumer brand to reframe the nation’s view of seafood. It will bring together a range of seafood champions to inform and inspire the nation to enjoy a better, more balanced lifestyle. Our seafood industry is diverse. We’re looking to unite everyone behind a single cause – inspiring the nation to fall in love with fish and shellfish.
Love Seafood will: • Help consumers across the UK reconnect with buying and eating seafood by promoting choice, convenience and the benefits of balanced living. • Encourage consumption of seafood at home via retail purchases and outside the home, including dining at cafes and restaurants as well as fish and chip shops. • Bring together seafood champions to inform and inspire the nation. • Provide seafood businesses with tools to help communicate directly with consumers.
How to use Love Seafood to promote your business A variety of marketing tools are available to help you promote your company and products to customers. We also provide advice on how best to use Love Seafood content in your business and you’ll benefit from our year-round, nationwide marketing campaigns. The Love Seafood consumer website at www.loveseafood.co.uk features a wide range of information and insight about seafood and the world of fishing and aquaculture – along with a mouth-watering array of fish and shellfish recipe ideas. Why not join in, fire up the stove and enjoy one of Love Seafood’s recipe ideas on the following pages. Share the love – Love Seafood!
Find out more:
08 QUAY ISSUES
Visit the Love Seafood website: www.seafish.org/promoting-seafood/ love-seafood-consumer-brand
Sign up to receive Love Seafood news updates: http://bit.ly/2N4iy4W
LOVE SEAFOOD
A great alternative to fish and chips! CRUNCHY BAKED PLAICE WITH CHIVE BUTTER
Recommended by Sarah Ready, Two Brothers Ltd.
Serves: 4 / Prep time: 13-15 mins / Cooking time: 13-15 mins / Skill level: Medium Ingredients
Method
4 x 170g plaice fillets (or any white fish), skinned and boned
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180C/fan or 160C/gas mark 4. Brush a large baking tray with oil.
Vegetable oil, for greasing
Step 2: Add the chives to the butter and season to taste. Place in the refrigerator to chill.
Small bunch chives, finely chopped 50g butter, softened 4 tbsp. plain flour 1 egg, beaten 100g cornflakes, crushed 500g new potatoes in their skins, scrubbed and cut into pieces 4 tbsp. reduced-fat crème fraiche 2 tsp. wholegrain mustard 320g frozen peas
Step 3: Put the flour, egg and cornflakes into three separate shallow dishes. Season the flour with pepper. Dip the plaice fillets into the flour. Shake off any excess flour, then dip the fillets into the egg before dipping into the cornflakes. Put the plaice on the prepared tray and put into the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the coating is crispy and the fish cooked through. Step 4: While the fish is cooking, boil the new potatoes for around 10-15 minutes, until soft. Drain well. Cook the peas according to the pack instructions, and drain. Step 5: Mix the crème fraiche and mustard together, then add to the drained potatoes and mix gently. Step 6: Serve the plaice topped with a dollop of the chive butter with the potatoes and peas on the side.
09
QUAY ISSUES
LOVE SEAFOOD
Try a little something different with your pasta CRAB LINGUINE Serves: 4 / Prep time: 10 mins / Cooking time: 10-20 mins / Skill level: Easy Ingredients
Method
250g white crab meat
Step 1: Cook the linguine according to the pack instructions, then drain and cover, reserving a little of the cooking water.
400g linguine pasta 4 tbsp. olive oil 3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped 1 fresh red chilli, seeded and finely chopped Juice 1 lemon 1 tbsp. flat leaf parsley, chopped 2 tbsp. coriander, chopped 1 tbsp. harissa paste Mixed salad leaves, to serve
10 QUAY ISSUES
Step 2: Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the olive oil, followed by the garlic and chilli, and fry gently for 2 minutes. Step 3: Add the crab meat and stir well to combine and heat through. Once the crab is warmed through, gently stir in the harissa paste and lemon juice. Step 4: Add the cooked, drained linguine to the crab with a few tablespoons of the reserved cooking water to loosen (about 2–3 tbsp.). Add the chopped herbs and toss the pasta through to coat evenly. Step 5: Divide into bowls, garnish with a final squeeze of lemon juice, herbs and serve with a side salad.
Meet Mark Mark always wanted to be a fisherman, just like his dad. At 16 he left school to become a deckhand. It was a steep learning curve, but Mark had ambition – he wanted his skipper’s certificate. The training cost money he didn’t have, but Mark got in touch with Seafish, and we helped him take not just one, but five courses he needed to become a skipper. Now he’s riding along on the crest of a wave – master of a 95-ton, 16 metre fishing boat, and his own destiny.
Mark Newlands: Deck Officer
Supported by
We’re here to give the UK seafood sector the support it needs to thrive. Whether you’re onshore or at sea, Seafish can help you with training, support and advice. Go to www.seafish.org or email seafish@seafish.co.uk for more information.
HYDROGEN: A CATALYST FOR LOWER FUEL COSTS
Hydrogen: A catalyst for lower fuel costs By Juan Carlos Esclapez Paredes Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe. It’s the main component of water, which covers around 70% of the planet’s surface. Hydrogen also burns very hot and fast. When combined in a diesel or petrol engine, it accelerates the combustion rate, leading to a cleaner, more efficient burn with more power. Can this be harnessed to cut fuel bills?
12 QUAY ISSUES
New hydrogen technologies could help vessel owners increase profit margins by improving their fuel efficiency. Different systems have been under development and testing for the last 40 years in agriculture, haulage, public transport and even domestic vehicles. A new catalytic hydrogen system, designed by a South Devon manufacturer, Ecomotus, with locally sourced components is being tested to measure potential fuel and cost savings on fishing boats.
HYDROGEN: A CATALYST FOR LOWER FUEL COSTS
Fuel is often the single biggest cost for fishing businesses. In 2019 spending on fuel across the whole of the UK fishing fleet was an estimated £132 million, accounting for 13% of total turnover (provisional figures). Reducing the amount of fuel needed to achieve the same level of fishing activity could lead to cost savings for fishing businesses.
Fuel use by fleet segment (2020) 30
Million (£)
25 20 15 10 5 0
Beam trawlers
Demersal Gill netters Longliners Nephrops trawlers & boats & hooks trawlers & seiners using nets
Pelagic trawlers
Pots & traps
Scallop dredgers
Other/ misc
2500
5
2000
4
1500
3
1000
2
500
1
0
Beam trawlers
Demersal Gill netters Longliners Nephrops trawlers & boats & hooks trawlers & seiners using nets
Pelagic trawlers
Pots & traps
Scallop dredgers
Source: public.tableau.com/profile/seafish#!/vizhome/FleetEnquiryTool/1Overview Note the 2020 data are provisional estimates.
Other/ misc
Avg fuel use per kWDAS, litres
Avg fuel use per tonne landed, litres
Fuel efficiency by fleet segment (2020)
0
13 QUAY ISSUES
HYDROGEN: A CATALYST FOR LOWER FUEL COSTS
Conventional engine system
Engine fitted with EcoPro system
Air
Air Water
Fuel
CPU
Hydrogen
Standard emissions
Water Reduced emissions Fuel
• Standard operating temperature
• Lower operating temperature
• Standard MPG
• Increased MPG
• Standard combustion
• More efficient combustion
• Standard emissions of: Nitrous Oxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Carbon Dioxide, Smoke Particles, Hydrochloric Acid, Carbon.
• Reduced emissions of: Nitrous Oxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Carbon Dioxide, Smoke Particles, Hydrochloric Acid, Carbon.
The EcoPro system splits hydrogen from water in a process called electrolysis. An electronic control unit adjusts hydrogen production and enriches the air being fed into the combustions chamber. Hydrogen works in harmony with the engine to achieve optimal combustion rate at all times, without the need to store hydrogen gas on-board. This technology, known as Internal Combustion Emission Control (ICEC), is a compact device that can be quickly and easily fitted to any diesel or petrol engine.
14 QUAY ISSUES
Early results from trials on a 19m crabber showed a 10% reduction in fuel consumption. In terms of costs, it meant the skipper was able to offset the equivalent of 10 months of the equipment lease cost with the fuel savings made in just a month. These are very positive results for the fishing fleet. Engines fitted with the EcoPro, or a similar ICEC device, could also have a longer lifespan. Tests show that they can achieve a more efficient output with a lower engine temperature. They also emit less harmful greenhouse gasses and smoke compared to a typical combustion engine. Lower emissions and a cooler engine mean the lower deck of a boat fitted with a catalytic hydrogen device is cleaner and safer. This could have significant health benefits for crew working or sleeping in an enclosed space.
HYDROGEN: A CATALYST FOR LOWER FUEL COSTS
An EcoPro system installation.
The emission reduction element could prove a valuable option to help the industry on the road to decarbonisation. Global marine emissions standards are set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In 2018 the IMO set targets to reduce global marine shipping emissions by 70% by the year 2050. The UK Government also published a Clean Maritime Plan which aims to gradually phase out vessels that produce emissions. ICEC devices could help the fishing industry meet these goals while also saving money. There are many other methods to reduce emissions, such as turbochargers, exhaust gas after treatment devices like ‘scrubbers’, low sulphur fuel or a combination of these methods. But some of these may be too expensive to be viable for fishing businesses, and small boats may simply not have enough space for some of these technologies.
The EcoPro could offer fishing businesses an option to reduce emissions and spending on fuel. Trials on fishing boats are still in the early stages and potential savings for different types of boats have yet to be estimated, so the EcoPro or similar devices may not be for everyone. One thing is for certain, though: as we recover from the impact of Covid-19 and adjust to new trading relationships outside Europe, increasing profit margins will be very important for many businesses. Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, could provide a solution to help this recovery, reducing costs for fishing businesses and decarbonising the industry at the same time – just by splitting water.
15 QUAY ISSUES
FISHING WITHOUT A SAFETY NET?
Fishing without a safety net? By Marta Moran-Quintana
What could fishermen and Deliveroo riders possibly have in common? More than it seems, actually – like not knowing how much you’ll earn next month or how you’ll make ends meet if you get injured.
16 QUAY ISSUES
FISHING WITHOUT A SAFETY NET?
There are many perks to being a fisherman which make it a way of life, not just a job: being out at sea, resourcefulness, independence and pride in what you do. On the other side is paperwork and uncertainty. Share fishermen are responsible for their own bookkeeping and money management, and the hard work involved in fishing does not always come with financial stability or accident insurance. On top of this, the state welfare system is ill-equipped to deal with the realities of share fishing, meaning that during hard times fishermen are often unable to access state support and have to cope on their own. Financial security, particularly among small-scale share fishermen, is a major concern. Tina Barnes, Head of Impact at the Seafarers’ Charity (formerly Seafarers UK) told us more:
“The welfare system does not quite work for share fishermen, so people need to ensure they have their own safety net for when they are unable to earn money from fishing.” In September 2020 the Seafarers’ Charity published the report Fishing Without a Safety Net, authored by Dr Paul Anthony Jones of Liverpool’s John Moores University. Paul and his team spoke to fishermen across the country and analysed anonymous records from over 400 users of the Seafarers Advice and Information
Line, the Seafarers’ Hospital Society and the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society. His team investigated the financial situation of small-scale fishermen, their views on the pros and cons of the crew share system and what economic support is available to them. The results were a harsh reminder of how challenging it can be to make a living from fishing. While not all fishermen struggle with money, those who do can be in a particularly bad position. The problem is not so much low income, but a changeable one, Paul explained:
“Share fishermen can have great wages one month, but next to nothing the next. To manage these ups and downs, they need even greater financial management skills than other people.” But learning financial management skills takes a long-term planning mind set and, more importantly, time, something many fishermen lack. Low or irregular earnings can also mean some fishermen are only able to make few or irregular National Insurance contributions, meaning less capacity to access welfare benefits or a state pension later in life. There is no holiday or sick pay, the latter being particularly relevant given that fishing has a high rate of work accidents. All of these things can add up to severe financial problems during difficult times, which can take their toll on mental health, family and relationships.
17 QUAY ISSUES
FISHING WITHOUT A SAFETY NET?
To manage the ups and downs, some fishermen have second jobs. The Seafish 2018 Fleet Employment Survey found that 15% of the 730 fishermen in the sample had a second job and that smallscale fishermen were more likely to have a second job. The most common types of additional employment were in trades, other marine industries and working on-board another fishing boat.
As with any complex problem, there is no single, easy way to improve share fishermen’s financial situation. The Seafarers’ Charity, in cooperation with other associations and organisations, are now working on several projects which they hope will help address some of the main financial challenges fishermen face.
Some of these initiatives, such as a review of the welfare system to ensure it works for everyone, are wider efforts that require government involvement to implement, but other actions are directly targeted at industry. From summer 2021 the Seafarers’ Charity will work with Seafish to include a module on managing finances in the Introduction to Commercial Fishing course for new entrants. The Seafarers’ Charity will also launch a campaign focussing on financial literacy to raise awareness of the importance of financial planning, share ideas to help fishermen manage their money and inform them of where to go for help or advice. While fishing is a unique job in many ways, perhaps there are lessons to be learned from other industries. Fishermen aren’t the only self-employed workers in the UK or the only ones dealing with the struggles of a variable income. Tina explained:
Having a second job is one way of making ends meet for many fishermen In a sample of 730 workers in the UK fishing industry:
65%
15%
of those with a second job were small-scale fishermen (working under 10m boats)
had a second job
The most common types of second job were:
28%
Trades electrician, fitter, building, roofer
11%
Fishing on a different vessel than the main one
Source: Results from the 2018 Employment in the UK Fishing Fleet survey, Seafish.
18 QUAY ISSUES
16%
Other marine industries ports, ship building, diver, tugboats, ferry work
FISHING WITHOUT A SAFETY NET?
“This research has made us realise there is a common cause with the self-employed and gig economy workers. Making sure that we are on the same grounds and helping amplify their voices will also benefit the fishing industry.” The gig economy makes frequent headlines and some of its members, like drivers and care workers, are already looking at options to make life and work easier, some of which could also apply to fishermen. Accessing financial services for example, like pensions or loans is a problem for all self-employed, fishermen included. “We asked ourselves: what do other self-employed people do?” asked Tina. “We found there are associations that provide a great range of services for self-employed people like pension schemes, insurance or discounts on everyday items like mobile phones.” Finding a financial services provider that will accept fishermen has some challenges; for example, some insurers are unwilling to take on clients working in such a high-risk profession. After much research and hard work, in April 2021 the Seafarers’ Charity announced the launch of a new credit union service for UK fishers, fish processors and fishmongers provided by Commsave Credit Union. Members of the credit union will
benefit from returns on their savings and new products designed for share fishers, such as a special loan scheme to support access to MMO grants, tax budgeting, bill payment accounts and a bereavement fund. Seafarers’ research shows that there’s more in common between the gig economy and fishermen than first meets the eye. Both are subject to financial insecurity and uncertainty; as Tina said: “You never know what’s going to come along, whether it’s a broken leg or a pandemic.”
Indeed, if there is something that 2020 taught us, it’s that anything can happen, but having a safety net can help you better deal with whatever the future may bring. As the old saying goes, hope for the best, plan for the worst. Find out more: The Seafarers’ Charity: www.theseafarerscharity.org Seafarers Advice and Information Line (SAIL): www.sailine.org.uk or 0800 160 1842 COMMSAVE Credit Union: www.commsave.co.uk/fish
19 QUAY ISSUES
ROSEHEARTY: A COMMUNITY UNITED
Rosehearty: A community united By Oscar Wilkie The first time I visited Rosehearty, it was a beautiful late-summer day, and the fleet of small potting and jigging boats were bobbing in the attractive little harbour. Behind me, overlooking the water, were the houses of “Fishertown” – the name a reminder of the village’s rich fishing history. As I took in the scene I was aware of splashing further out: a large pod of bottlenose dolphins were breaching not far beyond the west pier, which stretches out into the North Sea, providing shelter from westerly gales. As the dolphins continued along the Aberdeenshire coast towards Fraserburgh, I turned and was surprised to see a figure striding down the pier towards me from his own dolphin vantage point, picking up litter and other detritus from the cobbled surface.
20 QUAY ISSUES
David, who’s fished from the town for 38 years, was immediately friendly and incredibly enthusiastic, explaining how the community had recently come together to form the Rosehearty Harbour and Inshore Fishermen’s Association (RHIFA). The harbour users, mostly fishermen, aimed to improve the harbour facilities but realised that to do this, they would need to work together.
David Whyte. Image courtesy of Broch Photo House.
Rosehearty Harbour.
ROSEHEARTY: A COMMUNITY UNITED
The association was formed through cooperation between fishermen, the wider community and local councillors, and facilitated by Ian Maddox, former chair of the North and East Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group.
It led me to question why more fishing communities don’t have their own associations, with all the many and varied benefits they bring.
RHIFA’s aim is to ensure the continuing prosperity of the area for inshore fishermen by improving the harbour facilities for all harbour users and the local community. I was very impressed with the whole set-up; despite being less than three years old, the progress the group has achieved is truly staggering.
Rosehearty’s story is similar to many other East Coast fishing towns; it was once home to a fishing fleet that supported 600 fishermen, but following the decline of the herring fishery, that number dropped until there were only a couple of boats working part-time. A recent resurgence means the small harbour is now full, with 15 mostly single-handed boats fishing the rich local waters in summer.
Profile: Vessels whose top port in 2020 was Rosehearty*
71
Landed Weight (Tonnes)
11
299
Number of Active Vessels
Days at Sea
Industry Overview 2020
Income
Top 5 Species 2020 (Weight in tonnes) 93%
Mackerel
£104k
Lobsters 3% Crabs – Velvet 3% Green Crab 2% Crabs (C.P Mixed Sexes) 0.04%
£67k Gross Value Added
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Monthly Weight (tonnes) by Top 5 Species 2020 35 30 25 20
£32k
Operating Profit
15 10 5 0
J
F
M
A
M
J
Source: public.tableau.com/profile/seafish#!/vizhome/FleetEnquiryTool/1Overview * Data from vessels which used Rosehearty as their top port of landings in 2020. Note the 2020 data are provisional estimates.
J
A
S
O
N
D
21 QUAY ISSUES
ROSEHEARTY: A COMMUNITY UNITED
The Rosehearty Harbour and Inshore Fishermen’s Association office bearers (L-R) David Whyte, Ross Downie, Dawn-Marie Duncan and Shirley Whyte. Image courtesy of Duncan Brown photography.
The people of Rosehearty have an appreciation for the village’s strong fishing heritage and understand the importance of the industry to their local economy. In November 2018 the RHIFA was formed with David, my new dolphin-watching friend, as its chair. It’s phenomenal how much can be achieved with gritty determination and a strong sense of community.
The committee organise regular and well-attended fundraising events, which have included a tasteful fishermen’s calendar, race night, karaoke, ladies evening and a hotly anticipated annual Harbour Funday with raft racing, seafood cooking demos and bouncy castles. So, what’s the reward for the team’s tireless grant applications and year-round fundraising activities? Not only have RHIFA completed all the “initial priorities” they set out to do at that first meeting, but they’ve gone further in their support for the community and development of the harbour.
22 QUAY ISSUES
David and the other fishermen no longer have to race to Fraserburgh to keep their mackerel fresh; they have more time for fishing, spend less on ice and fuel, and get a better price for their higher quality product. The harbour now has its own chilled facility, ice machine and electronic davit winch, along with improved lighting and safer ladders down onto boats. New benches overlook the resurfaced piers, and a heritage board and landscaped flower beds are in the making. In other words, the harbour is unrecognisable from just a couple of years ago, and the fishermen and community much happier for it.
Events like raft races boost the RHIFA’s fundraising efforts. Image courtesy of Broch Photo House.
ROSEHEARTY: A COMMUNITY UNITED
In David’s own words: “We were a bunch of fishermen that went about our business and didn’t take a lot of interest in the harbour. We just went down, moaned a lot, but didn’t do anything to help ourselves. But when we got together and shared ideas and thoughts, we set some priorities and that gave us a goal.”
RHIFA have donated to various causes, including the RNLI. Image courtesy of Broch Photo House.
RHIFA even raised enough to make considerable donations to several charities, including their local lifeboat in Fraserburgh. During the pandemic, association members handed out food parcels courtesy of the local hotel and organised a service to shop for the vulnerable. It’s no surprise that RHIFA was a finalist at the 2020 Inspiring Aberdeenshire awards in the Community Spirit category.
Most important for building an association like that in Rosehearty is gathering support from a community that’s proud of its fishing heritage and current fleet. Strengthening the links between fishing and the wider community can take time but is worth the work. Alongside the local support for infrastructural and aesthetic harbour improvements, the local people became invested in fishing and developed a greater appreciation for the role of fishing in the area’s overall prosperity and well-being.
Just three years since the association formed, they have reintegrated into the community and improved the harbour infrastructure, and now they’re setting themselves even more ambitious targets. From installing onshore holding tanks for shellfish to developing a space where visitors – from near and far – can stop for tea and cake provided by the community, there’s a lot to be excited about. The inaugural meeting just three years ago attracted 14 commercial fishermen and seven other boat owners; now the whole town places more value in the harbour. The committee has now grown to include six members from the wider community. Just like the old days of “Fishertown”, the harbour is once again a focal point of the community, an important source of employment, a draw for tourists and a space the community can enjoy. Even the dolphins seem to know that Rosehearty is the place to be!
If you think your harbour and community would benefit from having its own fishermen’s association, you’re probably right. We asked David what advice he’d give to others thinking of going down the same route and he told us his top tips: • Do it, you won’t regret it!
• Meet as often as possible: it’s when you come together as a team that great ideas come about.
• Involve more harbour users: those people within the town who are keen to see improvements. Get diversity on your team: • Pick a chairman who’s got plenty of time it’s really beneficial to have lots of different on their hands, but try to share the workload viewpoints from a diverse group of can-do people. among a committee of can-do people.
23 QUAY ISSUES
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Planning for the future By Lindsey Carson Lindsay is a MSc Graduate in Planning, Regeneration and Development at Ulster University and did her research project with the support and assistance of the Northern Irish industry and Seafish Northern Ireland Advisory Committee.
People often say there are fewer newcomers to the fishing industry. If that’s the case, what sort of plans are skippers making for the future of their business? Who will succeed them and take over when they choose to leave or retire from fishing?
24 QUAY ISSUES
PLANNINGRUNNING FOR THE HEADER FUTURE
In spring 2020 I began my undergraduate research to understand the extent of succession planning in Northern Ireland. I spoke to active and retired fishermen along the County Down coast about succession and financial planning, challenges faced in their role and by the wider industry, and their thoughts on the number of young people entering the industry. A 2018 Seafish employment report showed that of the four home nations, the Northern Irish fishing fleet had the lowest proportion of workers under the age of 30. The same report showed that the Northern Irish fleet was also considerably reliant on EU/EEA workers.
Almost 40% of positions on Northern Irish boats were occupied by mainly Eastern European workers. EU exit could have a significant impact on this crew makeup; the immediate effects have yet to be measured, but Seafish will undertake another UK fishing fleet employment survey this summer to find out more. Nationality of Northern Irish Fleet Crew
Non EEA
UK
2%
60%
EU/ EEA 38%
Age of Northern Irish Fleet Crew
30-39
40-49
36%
Under 30 14%
25%
60+ 6%
50-59 19%
25 QUAY ISSUES
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Taken together, these figures form a concerning picture of the future of the industry in Northern Ireland. The low number of youngsters coming into the industry could create a generation gap. It’s therefore critical that efforts are made to research and identify the reasons behind the low proportion of young workers in the industry and the issues that may be off-putting for young people. When we talked about new entrants, fishermen not only thought there were fewer youngsters entering the industry but also fewer aspiring skippers. They felt a major problem was cost. The financial challenges standing between young people and progression in the industry were seen as too great.
One fisherman told me it was “almost impossible” for anyone to progress through the industry due to the rising costs of a vessel, licence and quota, calling it an “uphill struggle”. Indeed, a quick search on Find a Fishing Boat shows that even a small licensed boat can start at £15,000.
When talking about the barriers to progression, it became clear that retaining crew on-board was a big problem. When crew don’t see a future in their career, they’re less likely to want to stay. Many fishermen thought this was related to income, and for a variety of different reasons. First, the sporadic nature of wages was highlighted, even being referred to as the industry’s biggest issue; as one fisherman told me: “Fishing is very up and down, your money is coming in very sporadically, and I think that is one of the drawbacks to maintaining younger people in the industry.” Many of the fishermen I spoke to also talked about declining fishing income and rising costs; since crew share is linked to fishing income, this can lead to lower wages. One fisherman told me that when he first joined the industry over 30 years ago, fishing was a “medium salary job”. But now it’s “likely below minimum wage”. Most alarming was the proportion of salary to effort and work hours, with some reporting that it is common for crew to work 17-hour days in the summer for £400 to £500 a week. One fisherman also compared the local fishing industry to Kilkeel’s aircraft factory as an example. He pointed out that a young person could find employment in the factory and leave at the end of the week, carefree and with a guaranteed salary; it would be hard to justify the labour and hours involved in fishing with alternatives like that. Fishing is competing with other industries that can offer better working conditions, shorter hours and more stable income.
26 QUAY ISSUES
Despite all of this, the passion of the fishermen I spoke to shone through in all our conversations. It was clear that for many, fishing is not just about a salary but, as one fisherman said: “You have to love what you do, but you can only love what you do so long if you’re not making enough money to support your family.”
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
And skippers don’t just have to support their own families. Many also support the crew – this can be especially hard if the business needs long-term investment. One fisherman spoke about the difficulties of finding a balance between supporting the crew and maintaining a vessel: “There’s frequent times where we wouldn’t gross a big enough gross in the week to give our crew man a living wage… we would possibly take the expenses out and divide the money between my brother and the crew man; so the boat is actually getting nothing. “It’s more than a business if you understand me. You have to realise, if I haven’t got that man working with me next week, I’ll not be able to work, and sometimes that takes a sacrifice of taking a wee hit for the team. But in some aspects, a lot of people wouldn’t do that because business is business and it’s ruthless, but you need that bit of compassion too.”
Arguably the most alarming issue to come out of my study was the extent of succession planning among the fishermen I spoke to. Although many had thought about succession planning, half had no concrete plans in place. Some were hopeful their children would one day take over the business, and perhaps that optimism factors into their lack of planning. On the other hand, some feared that challenges facing the wider industry would persist and actively steer their children away from a future in the industry. At the end of the day, a fishing business is the culmination of years of hard work and investment in the boat, the crew and the fishing rights. For some, the business may be their pension plan and they’re happy to keep fishing until they want to retire and sell the boat. For others, it’s a legacy, something they’ve built and want to hand to their family. Whatever the case, it’s important to make plans early. You can’t get to where you’re going if you don’t know where that is.
27 QUAY ISSUES
EASTBOURNE HARBOUR
A 30-year-old promise: The development of Eastbourne Harbour By Chris Williams Chris is Associate Fellow at the New Economics Foundation (NEF), who are working towards an economy that works for everyone.
According to local history, in the 1880s Sussex fishermen were said to be of “strong and resolute stock” of Spanish, Norman French and Saxon roots. The “Willicks” or “Willickers”, as the Fishermen of Eastbourne were known, fished for migrating herring, sprat and mackerel. Their boats were known as “Bourners”, and along with the fishing fleets of Hastings and Brighton, the Eastbourne fishermen would follow the mackerel down the English Channel to Devon and Cornwall and even to Southern Ireland; other fishing expeditions would take them as far north as Scarborough. Today, 38 mostly under 10m, family-owned fishing boats operate out of Eastbourne’s Sovereign Harbour. In 2019 they landed over £3 million worth of seafood.
28 QUAY ISSUES
Whelks are the most important species for the Eastbourne fleet and made up nearly three quarters of their total landings by weight. Other important species include crab, lobster, sole and bass. Despite Eastbourne’s long fishing heritage and their continued strong landings, the future of the local fleet has been shrouded in uncertainty for several decades. To understand why, we need to go back to the Eastbourne Harbour Act of 1980.
EASTBOURNE HARBOUR
Profile: Vessels whose top port in 2020 was Eastbourne*
2,453
Landed Weight (Tonnes)
38
38
Number of Active Vessels
Industry Overview 2020
Income
3,218
Employment (FTE)
Days at Sea
Top 5 Species 2020 (Weight in tonnes) 82%
Whelks
£4M
Crabs (C.P Mixed Sexes) 7% Cuttlefish 3% Bass 1% Lobsters 1%
£2M Gross Value Added
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Monthly Weight (tonnes) by Top 5 Species 2020 400 350 300 250
£1M
Operating Profit
200 150 100 50 0
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Source: public.tableau.com/profile/seafish#!/vizhome/FleetEnquiryTool/1Overview * Data from vessels which used Eastbourne as their top port of landings in 2020. Note the 2020 data are provisional estimates.
Artist’s impression – Harbour view. Image courtesy of the NEF.
29 QUAY ISSUES
EASTBOURNE HARBOUR
The development site. Image courtesy of the NEF.
A developer proposed to transform a strip of beachfront into a large harbour. Plans included two breakwaters, 1,800 moorings, 2,400 dwellings, commercial buildings and community assets like a school, library and swimming pool. Local fishermen were asked for their support and promised a fishing quay in return. The fishermen were keen, because having access to a fishing quay instead of landing on the beach as they had done for generations would make their lives much easier. The fishermen gave their support, permission was granted and the development progressed, but the fishing quay never emerged. For decades the fishermen worked from a small area in the harbour with limited storage and fishing infrastructure while the harbour grew and new flats were built around them. Then, in August 2013 they received a letter telling them to move, as their landing site had been earmarked for housing development.
30 QUAY ISSUES
Graham Doswell. Image courtesy of the NEF.
With no alternative sites in the harbour, the fishermen decided to stand their ground and hold the new landowners, Carillion, to the promises made in the past. The fishermen set up a Community Interest Company (CIC) to try to purchase the site themselves and ran a campaign to reverse the planning decision. Fortunately they had built up a fighting fund over the previous 10 years to pay for outline plans for the fishing quay they had been promised. With support from the local community, Eastbourne council, East Sussex County Council and pressure from the fishermen, the planning department agreed to earmark the site as a permanent home for the fishing fleet. While a fantastic step towards their goal, the fishermen still didn’t have the legal title to the land, nor did they have the funding to make this dream a reality. In 2014 they sought help from the New Economics Foundation (NEF). They worked together on a European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) grant proposal and brought the local community into the discussions to help shape their plans. The project team also worked closely with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to ensure the grant support matched the priorities and the grant intervention rate for small-scale fisheries.
EASTBOURNE HARBOUR
Graham Doswell, third-generation fisherman and director of the Eastbourne Fishermans CIC, explained:
“We really had nowhere else to go and no future. So we needed to get organised and bring the fishing fleet and local residents together. With NEF’s help, we ensured that the local council was very supportive of the project and developed a successful funding bid to the EMFF.” The proposal was organised in three major phases. The first involved securing a long-term (75 years) lease for the site and providing a place to store and process their catch, add value and sell direct to the public. The second and third phases aimed to link the working quay with the local community and businesses, while also providing a visitor centre to draw in customers and tourists to learn about the local seafood and fishing heritage.
In 2016 the EMFF application was successful, resulting in a £1.25 million grant. Getting this far had not been easy or quick. Grant funding meant a Community Economic Development plan with local people, businesses and local authorities was also needed, but thankfully, there was strong support for the project. Working with local people and businesses, as well as the Eastbourne Borough Council and East Sussex County Council, were crucial to making the fishermen’s situation visible and generating support for the project. Without helping the CIC connect and building support alongside a public profile, this would not have been possible. The support the fishermen have had has been fantastic.
Despite the success of securing funding and the best-made plans, it turned out that things weren’t going to be so simple. In 2018 the landowner (Carillion) went bust – the largest construction bankruptcy in British history. The land, including the earmarked fishing quay, was sold from under the fishermen’s noses when Carillion went into liquidation.
Artist’s impression – Harbour view. Image courtesy of the NEF.
31 QUAY ISSUES
EASTBOURNE HARBOUR
Agreeing to a long-term lease with the new owner then took a year of legal discussion, despite support from the company’s CEO, the Eastbourne Borough Council and the East Sussex County Council – as well as the local MPs at the time. During that period of negotiation, the team worked tirelessly to gather more public support and funding from several other sources, including the South East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (SELEP) Growing Places fund, the East Sussex County Council’s East Sussex Investment 4 scheme and the Seafarers’ Charity (formerly Seafarers UK). By now the plan and project were looking very strong, well-supported, financed and ready to go. But there were still more hurdles to overcome. In 2019 the building contractor went into administration, meaning the tenders, grant support and loan applications, plans, finances and timelines all needed to be updated.
The Eastbourne fishermen had been in a decades-long battle for their survival and were not going to give up just before reaching the finish line, so they pushed through. Finally, 30 years since the idea of a fishing quay started, 7 years after forming the CIC and 6 years after seeking help from the NEF, the project is becoming a reality.
Construction is now underway. Image courtesy of the NEF.
In early 2020, as a sign of the times, the project had a virtual ground-breaking ceremony via Zoom, attended by the local MP and key people who made the project possible. Building work is on track to be completed by April 2021, and in a surprise announcement the SELEP committed an extra £1.08 million to help embed the quay in the local economy. The Eastbourne fishermen have achieved so much. From being squeezed out of a harbour development to becoming a strong and ambitious partnership building new fishing and community infrastructure, their transformation has been amazing. They show us that by getting organised, working together and having clear goals, along with a good measure of gritty determination, the fishing industry can position itself as an asset to local communities and economies. Clearly the Eastbourne fishermen of today are just as “strong and resolute” as their forebears of 1880!
Find out more: Eu10CIC: www.eastbournefishermen.co.uk 2017 Community Economics Development plan: www.eastbournefishermen.co.uk/images/ EastbourneFishermenCED_PLAN_FINAL_May2017.pdf NEF video: www.neweconomics.org/2017/12/eastbourne-fishing-community NEF: www.neweconomics.org
32 QUAY ISSUES
Falling overboard is a major cause of deaths in the fishing industry. These actions can save lives:
HOMEANDDRY.UK
You are legally required to do these to keep you and your crew safe.
1ü 2ü 3ü
ASSESS THE RISKS
ACT NOW
â
Do your written risk assessment. What can you do to prevent someone falling overboard?
homeanddry.uk
DO YOUR DRILLS Practise how you would recover someone from the water. It’s harder than you think and speed is of the essence.
WEAR A PFD Always wear a PFD on deck. Wear it correctly, according to the instructions. Wearing a PLB is also highly recommended.
BERWICKSHIRE MARINE RESERVE
Behind the scenes at Berwickshire Marine Reserve By Kirsten Milliken
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” So goes the saying from Henry Ford, the American automobile manufacturer who revolutionised the automotive industry. Working together is crucial in all industries, and fishing is no exception. Fishermen in Berwickshire have teamed up with scientists and charity organisations to learn more about the local fishery and
34 QUAY ISSUES
make recommendations for its future management. Here, we look at some of the projects they’re working on and what they hope this will bring in the future. At the end of the 19th century, Eyemouth was a busy fishing port. At the centre of Berwickshire’s herring and whitefish fishery, it was home to about 50 fishing boats. Over the years as herring and whitefish declined, Berwickshire boats have turned more to shellfish.
Eyemouth Harbour on the Berwickshire Coastal Path.
BERWICKSHIRE MARINE RESERVE
In 2019 Eyemouth was home to 22 active fishing boats that landed roughly £3 million worth of mostly nephrops, crabs and lobsters. In fact, shellfish make up about 95% of all landings (by weight) in Eyemouth.
all moving. I’ve been up at the marine station a couple of times too, having a look about, trying out different creels and watching lobsters go in the different creels.” For the last couple of years Bruce has been involved in an industry science partnership. Local fishermen, the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE), the Berwickshire Marine Reserve (BMR) and the St Abbs Marine Station are working together to gather data on the local crab and lobster population. Bruce works with researchers on three projects to get a better understanding of the behaviour of the stocks and their reactions to changes in the environment. Bruce told us more: “I hope we get a good understanding about where the crabs and lobsters go in our area, how far they go, the times of year we get them and where they move.”
The livelihoods of the Eyemouth fishermen depend on a healthy fishery, but as with many shellfish stocks around the UK, very little is known about the local shellfish. Bruce Marshall, a fisherman for 25 years who catches crab and lobster from his 5.5m coble (a traditional open fishing boat), is part of the project trying to solve that problem. He told us about what it involves for him: “We go out tagging lobsters and crabs and we go to meetings to see what’s happening with the crabs and lobsters, where they were
Profile: Vessels whose top port in 2020 was Eyemouth*
724
Landed Weight (Tonnes)
23
28
Number of Active Vessels
1,867
Employment (FTE)
Industry Overview 2020
Days at Sea
Top 5 Species 2020 (Weight in tonnes) 74%
Nephrops
Income
£1.88M
Crabs (C.P Mixed Sexes) 9% Other species 5% Lobsters 3% Crabs (Velvet) 1%
£0.61M Gross Value Added
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Monthly Weight (tonnes) by Top 5 Species 2020 100 80 60
£0.04M Operating Profit
40 20 0
J
F
M
A
M
J
Source: public.tableau.com/profile/seafish#!/vizhome/FleetEnquiryTool/1Overview * Data from vessels which used Eyemouth as their top port of landings in 2020. Note the 2020 data are provisional estimates.
J
A
S
O
N
D
35 QUAY ISSUES
BERWICKSHIRE MARINE RESERVE
Boundaries and Designations Static Gear Reserve (26km2) Berwickshire and Northumberland Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (652km2) Berwickshire Marine Reserve (10.3km2)
Crustacean Studies
St Abbs
BLUE, in collaboration with the St Abbs Marine station, BMR and local fishermen, have developed an extensive crustacean research programme. The industry science projects underway in Berwickshire will provide vital information about the local crab and lobster stocks. They will help to show how sustainable current fishing levels in Berwickshire are and will aid local fisheries management. Here’s a quick look at some of the projects.
Population dynamics of edible crab and European lobster (2018–2020) Assessment of the local crab and lobster population, including juvenile brown crabs (age, sex, weight) to provide a baseline on the health of the local stocks, including a tag and recapture study to understand their movement. Juvenile crab data: It would seem the juvenile population has a higher proportion of males. September and May were shown to have the highest female counts (though not significantly different).
Furthest travelled lobster: An individual lobster travelled 45km across the Firth of Forth in 30 days, from Cockburnspath to Pittenweem.
36 QUAY ISSUES
Local fishermen supply information about the fishery and discuss problems and possible solutions via workshops and questionnaires.
Creation of crab and lobster working group
Pittenweem
Cockburnspath
Commercial fishermen workshops and questionnaires (2019–ongoing)
A forum for scientists, government, the fishing industry, and other stakeholders to gather, discuss regional issues and opportunities, and feed into local fisheries management.
BERWICKSHIRE MARINE RESERVE
Catch per unit effort (2018–2020) On-board boat surveys to assess catch rates and show local stock abundance.
Effect of temperature on fisher catch, BMR-led project (2019–ongoing) Data from temperature loggers fitted to creels will be assessed alongside catch rates to understand the role of temperature in species abundance. Temperature correlations with catch rate: Catch rates of European lobster and edible crab decline when the water temperature is higher.
Creel efficiency (2019–ongoing) Gear trials to assess the effect of creel type and set up on catch rates, bycatch, soak time and bait. Preliminary results show: • Single soft eye creels are most successful for edible crab but also caught more undersized crabs.
Eyemouth
• Prawn parlour creels were most successful for European lobster and reducing bycatch. • Single and double hard eye creels caught the most oversized individuals. • Seasonality influenced the approach rate and entry of edible crabs.
Size at sexual maturity of the edible crab (Cancer pagurus) in Scottish and English waters: A cross border study (2020–21)
o
Sc
nd
tla
d an
gl En
Cross-border project complementing the population dynamics data to show the size at which brown crabs become sexually mature in the Berwickshire and Northumberland regions (which have different Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes). Crab maturity preliminary results: • A small number of males had one underdeveloped teste or one singular teste. • Males might mature at a smaller size than females (more research needed).
37 QUAY ISSUES
BERWICKSHIRE MARINE RESERVE
All images courtesy of BLUE.
Two lobsters, caught by Bruce.
Tagging a lobster at sea.
Andrew Gillie, a third-generation fisherman from Eyemouth, is also involved in the partnership. He takes researchers to sea to record information on the size, weight and health of crabs and lobsters, which are tagged and returned to the sea.
When tagged lobsters are recaptured, fishermen like Andrew get in touch with the researchers and receive a cash payment for bringing the individual in. Andrew told us more: “If we catch one with a tag, I usually call or text and bring them ashore.” Andrew is also involved in the catch per unit of effort study, which aims to understand catch rates for the amount of effort fishermen put in. Researchers join Andrew on some of his fishing trips to record catch and discard information. As Andrew empties his pots, he shouts out to the researcher what’s in each one, and the researcher notes this down, including the time and location.
38 QUAY ISSUES
Returning a tagged lobster.
Andrew told us why he thinks this project is important: “It means the researchers are getting to know how many crabs are in each pot, how many we’re throwing back and how many we’re keeping. So they’re getting an average of how many are there and of what’s going back.” As well as taking researchers to sea, Andrew and his crew also voluntarily v-notch lobsters: “We do the v-notching of the berried hens, the undersized ones. We usually put a v-notch in their tails and a band on their claws so you know it’s v-notched, and we just do that ourselves, just to try and look out for the berried hens.” BLUE has led this collaborative programme in Eyemouth for several years. Their aim is to work with fishermen to understand the health of the local fishery and then make decisions together about how it should be managed. Joe Richards, Berwickshire Project Manager with BLUE, told us more: “There are huge gaps in the data about the local fishery, and that’s what we’re trying to solve. We’ve got several joint research
BERWICKSHIRE MARINE RESERVE
Joe Richards, BLUE Project Manager.
Measuring a crab.
projects with the BMR and St Abbs Marine Station to work with the fishermen to get the data. We can help to do the science and then sit down and work with fishermen to figure out what we can do to support them; what sort of things they need, and if there’s anything they want to change. We give them a voice from the ground up rather than the top-down approach that we’ve seen in the past.”
There are similarities with this approach and the Lyme Bay fishery in the South of England. Joe told us more: “We’ve seen this model work down in Lyme Bay, where the fishermen have a voluntary code. Alongside this, we’ve got scientific data that shows that the marine environment is also recovering, so you’ve got sustainable fishing alongside a productive fishery with fishermen still making a good income.”
The work the Blue Marine Foundation has been doing with fishermen in Berwickshire has led to the creation of a Berwickshire crab and lobster working group. The aim is to provide a forum for fishermen, regulators and scientists to discuss issues at a local scale.
The project in Berwickshire is a great example of fishermen working together with scientists, but it’s by no means the only one. All across the country industry science partnerships are underway to improve the level of understanding about our fisheries and lead to better outcomes. We asked Andrew for his advice to others looking to get involved in similar projects, and he told us: “It’s worth doing; if everybody works together it’ll be an easier job.”
Joe explained: “We hope the Berwickshire crab and lobster working group will be fed into the appropriate management channels, including the North and East Coast Inshore Fisheries Group and the newly formed crab and lobster management group.”
Now that’s the sort of team spirit that even Henry Ford would be proud of!
39 QUAY ISSUES
QUAY STATS: NET FISHING
Quay Stats: Net Fishing* We’ve had lots of requests to include information about netting in Quay Issues. Here we present some headline statistics about two important and very different netting segments.
Drift and fixed netters Average vessel length in 2020
8 metres
Gill netters
2017
Average vessel length in 2020
vessels
20 metres
2018
30
26
vessels
Top species in 2020 Monkfish
Hake
QUAY ISSUES
£518,576 Top port for landings in 2020
Pilchards
40
Average fishing income in 2020
Newlyn
QUAY STATS: NET FISHING
2017
187
vessels
Top species in 2020 Whelks†
212
Pollack
2020
2019
176
203
vessels
vessels
vessels
Average fishing income in 2020
Average operating profit in 2020
Number of FTE jobs in 2020
Top port for landings in 2020
Average total landing weight for 2020
Average full-time jobs per vessel
£41,230
Pilchards
†
2018
Eastbourne
£15,996
19 tonnes
87
0.5
Whelks are not caught with nets, these versatile vessels use many different types of gear.
2019
27
vessels
Average operating profit in 2020
£65,521 Average total landing weight for 2020
299 tonnes
2020
26
vessels
Number of FTE jobs in 2020
169
Average full-time jobs per vessel in 2020
6.5
Source: public.tableau.com/profile/seafish#!/vizhome/FleetEnquiryTool/1Overview * Note the 2020 data are provisional estimates.
Do you work on a netting boat? We’d love to feature your stories in the next edition of Quay Issues. Email us at quayissues@seafish.co.uk
Find out more: Seafish Gear Database: www.seafish.org/responsiblesourcing/fishing-gear-database Advice about fishing gear: David.Warwick@seafish.co.uk
41 QUAY ISSUES
THE FUTURE OF OUR INSHORE FISHERIES
The Future of Our Inshore Fisheries By Kirsten Milliken For once, the industry, government and scientists agree – the way that we manage inshore fisheries in the UK needs to change. Fisherman, policy makers, regulators and scientists will all tell you about different problems. From issues with quota allocation to poor representation in decision making, and a lack of data, a host of problems combine to make a system that is overly complex, lacks consistency and does not deliver long-term sustainability.
The Future of Our Inshore Fisheries initiative was born, with the ambition of establishing an effective inshore fisheries management regime that enables a sustainable and profitable inshore fishing industry.
Ultimately everyone wants a viable and profitable inshore fishing industry that can support flourishing coastal communities, but how do we get there?
It was clear from the start that the industry needed to be involved in the process. In June 2019 the group held a workshop with the industry to gather views and begin a conversation about what needs to change. At the workshop, active fishermen explained their priorities and ideas, which set the agenda for a wider discussion event.
In January 2019 a group of industry representatives, policy makers, regulators and scientists saw the UK’s departure from the EU and the Common Fisheries Policy as a chance to completely overhaul inshore fisheries management. They began discussing the existing challenges and how to involve industry in developing solutions.
42 QUAY ISSUES
In October 2019 the Future of Our Inshore Fisheries Conference in London was attended by 170 inshore fishery stakeholders, nearly 60 of which were active inshore fishermen. There were six discussion topics, including access and allocation of fishing rights, co-management and industry-led science.
THE FUTURE OF OUR INSHORE FISHERIES
The conference gave everyone a chance to explain their priorities, voice their concerns and talk about possible solutions. It marked the start of a journey into co-management and was a signal of commitment from regulators to do things differently. After the conference the steering group re-formed, bringing in eight inshore fishermen from around the UK to ensure every step of the project is informed by their expertise. Professor Michel Kaiser, chair of the steering group, explained the importance of fishermen’s representation in the group:
“This project has been led by the industry from the start and relies on the involvement, expertise and experience of active fishermen. We had excellent representation from fishermen at the Future of Our Inshore Fisheries conference and we are delighted that several inshore fishermen have stepped into a leadership role to help to shape this next critical phase.”
At a meeting in January 2020 the group discussed and distilled all the information gathered at the conference to agree on what the priorities should be. The group was getting ready to publish an action plan when all of a sudden, Covid-19 struck. Almost overnight everything changed, with everyone from individual fishermen to government officials finding their immediate priorities shifting dramatically given the new challenges. When the group met again, via Zoom this time, they agreed it was vital to press on and ensure that Covid-19 didn’t disrupt their important work. They were very aware that in the past, similar initiatives to reform inshore fishing had fallen down when big challenges emerged and priorities shifted; it was vital not to let that happen again.
43 QUAY ISSUES
THE FUTURE OF OUR INSHORE FISHERIES
Steering group member and inshore fishermen Joel Dunn from Plymouth explained why he thought it was important to continue with the initiative despite the difficulties posed by Covid-19: “Obviously with Covid-19 we have extra difficulties and pressures facing us as fishermen, so along with others on the steering group, I had to think about whether this was the right time to launch the next phase of the initiative. In the end I decided that it was important to keep going so we can keep pushing for the changes inshore fishermen want and need. If this project is to have any impact or benefit, it is no good to let it drift, so I believe it is the right thing to do to get this next phase started.” The action plan, published in June 2020, prioritises projects on Co-Management, Collaborative Science, Credible Fisheries Management and Rights and Access and is now well underway. Work on the ground is also progressing through Regional Groups and The Shellfish Industry Action Group, as well as individual species management groups. But the initiative is far from over. There is still much work to be done to reach their ambitious goal. Steering group member Barrie Deas, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, said:
Attendees at the Future of Our Inshore Fisheries Conference.
44 QUAY ISSUES
“The individual projects in the plan represent the building blocks of a world-class fisheries management system, and over time these have the potential to add up to a fundamental transformation.” We should be ambitious in wanting a fisheries management system that is truly sustainable, and which not only meets our environmental objectives but is also capable of meeting our social and economic needs at a national, regional and local level. Clearly reforming our inshore fisheries is a long-term project, but this is a good start.” Reforming inshore fisheries management is not a quick or easy task; while there might be some quick wins along the way, ultimately this is a long-term work programme. Though this first year marks just the initial steps of a long journey, this ambitious cross-industry group have been working tirelessly to build a more resilient inshore industry that can support flourishing coastal communities.
Find out more: For more information on the FOIF, news, updates and publications, go to: www.seafish.org/foif
We want to hear from you Quay Issues is a free magazine published by the Economics team at Seafish to promote innovation in the fishing industry. We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas for other topics to feature in the next edition.
Tell us what you thought of Quay Issues for the chance to win a £100 voucher!* Visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/quayissues or scan the QR code. *P rize draw terms and conditions apply and can be viewed alongside the survey. Entries to the Prize Draw close at 11.59pm on Sunday 7 November 2021.
Other ways to get in touch
Get on social media You'll find us on Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn
Speak to one of our Fleet Survey researchers
Quay Issues magazine is our way of telling some of the stories our researchers hear every year during our socio-economic survey of the UK Fishing Fleet. The survey is an opportunity for fishermen to tell us about their fishing business and ensures that decision makers have the best evidence.
To take part in our survey contact fleet.survey@seafish.co.uk or call 0131 524 8668.
Your Editorial Team:
Oscar Wilkie Economic Researcher
Kirsten Milliken Quay Issues Editor and Economics Project Manager
Marta Moran-Quintana Economics Project Manager
Juan Carlos Esclapez Paredes Temporary Field Researcher
Joe Cooper Temporary Field Researcher
45
QUAY ISSUES
Seafish 18 Logie Mill Logie Green Road Edinburgh EH7 4HS
Seafish Origin Way Europarc Grimsby DN37 9TZ
T: +44 (0)131 558 3331
T: +44 (0)1472 252 300
info@seafish.co.uk seafish.org
