Blog Posts - NFFO

Decarbonisation: Climate Emergency

7 October 2021

The UN Climate Change Summit in Glasgow this coming October and November, will bring world attention to the link between greenhouse gasses and climate change. The UK Government will want to earn the prestige associated with hosting a successful summit. A successful summit will include commitments to new ambitious targets for the reduction of greenhouse gasses - in particular carbon dioxide.

The Politics of Division

24 September 2021

It is not that difficult to exploit divisions in the fishing industry. We are a complex, multi-faceted, diverse industry, targeting a wide range of different species. We operate inshore and offshore with a bewildering range of gears, fishing from different ports, in vessel sizes that range from under 8 metres to over 100 metres. Quota shares are always divisive because they are a zero-sum game. More fundamentally, who receives a licence to fish and what kind of licence, involves political and administrative choices that can generate much heat and friction within the fishing industry.

Climate Smart Fisheries: Protected Areas or Sustainable Livelihoods?

9 September 2021

Adapting to climate change and reducing dependence on fossil fuels is something that the fishing industry, along with every other part of the economy is going to have to address. Some NGOs are making the argument that the solution lies with more marine protected areas. However, going all-out on MPAs as a “cure-all” for our seas risks perverse outcomes and real harm to coastal fishing communities. Dale Rodmell argues the case for a more cooperative approach that illuminates pathways to sustainable marine livelihoods that can deliver much more, and in the long run, be more adaptive to climate change.

Prepare for Displacement

18 May 2021

Lords appointment triggers NFFO change to MPA Policy. The appointment of Richard Benyon as Defra minister in the House of Lords has prompted a rethink within the NFFO on its approach to the management of marine protected areas.

Seaspiracy: Seafish Response

26 March 2021

Seafish have responded robustly to the claims made in the Netflix Seaspiracy film

Dogger Bank: Back to Remote Control

16 March 2021

“Closed” rather than co-management characterises the government’s first post-Brexit steps to defining its approach to fisheries management after the Common Fisheries Policy. Dale Rodmell examines the current proposals for this iconic site and what it signals for stakeholder participation in fisheries.

Lawyers, Boulders and Money: A future in which fisheries policy is driven by vigilantes and litigation?

5 March 2021

In an important and disturbing change, environmental NGOs have now apparently abandoned any pretence of working collaboratively with the fishing industry. With one or two honourable exceptions, most have embarked down the road of confrontation and litigation.

Labour disowns Greenpeace

2 March 2021

Full credit to Shadow Fisheries Minister, Luke Pollard MP, for publicly disowning Greenpeace for dumping boulders to endanger fishing vessels in the vicinity of where a fishing vessel was recently lost in tragic circumstances. Mr Pollard denounced the Greenpeace action as “tone deaf.”

A Precautionary MPA Tale

23 June 2017

Dale Rodmell argues that dismissing an evidence-based approach to Marine Protected Area planning in favour of precaution is misguided.

Voluntary Conservation Success Story

13 January 2017

Dale Rodmell argues that criticisms of voluntary approaches to conservation in the marine environment are missing the point. A bigger more important issue is at stake.

Brexit, eNGOs & our Industry

12 July 2016

Assistant chief executve, Dale Rodmell, reflects on Brexit, the disconnect between industry and the Common Fisheries Policy and the influence and role of environmental NGOs.

Sustainable seafood

20 October 2015

Barrie Deas talks about the importance of eating a variety of great British seafood.

Spurdog: Out with the Bathwater

8 September 2015

Assistant chief executive, Dale Rodmell, reports on why a different approach is needed to conserve protected species such as spurdog.

‘Profitable and sustainable’

14 April 2015

The Chief Executive of Seafish describes the role the organisation plays in the fishing industry.