News - Page 11 of 40

UK to be Ejected from Advisory Councils during Transition Period

22 June 2018

At a recent meeting of the North Sea Advisory Council, the European Commission made the surprising announcement that UK stakeholders will be ejected from membership of the advisory councils from March 2019. It had been assumed by most people in the ACs that as the whole acqui (the whole body of EU law) will continue to apply to the UK during the transition, and ACs are not decision making bodies, membership of the advisory council would remain unchanged until December 2020.

NFFO Lobby Day in Parliament

18 June 2018

The Federation recently held a lobby day in Parliament to ensure that fishing remains a priority issue for the Government as the UK approaches key stages in the UK/EU withdrawal negotiations. During the event, which took place in a Committee Room 10 in the Palace of Westminster, a team of ten NFFO port representatives briefed MPs and Lords on all aspects of the UK’s withdrawal, as they impact on their particular region or sector.

New Man at the Helm

14 June 2018

The appointment of Andrew Pascoe, as the new Chairman of the NFFO, was confirmed at a meeting of the NFFO Executive Committee, held immediately after the AGM.

Mike Cohen – NFFO Chairman – Personal remarks to the NFFO AGM, held this year in London in Fishmongers Hall

14 June 2018

In just a few minutes I cease not only to be the Chairman of the NFFO, but also - for the time being, at least - to have any regular involvement with the fishing industry. Life takes us, sometimes, in unexpected directions and mine is leading me - for now - away from an industry that I have lived and breathed around the clock - just like everyone else here - for the last 7 years.

Chairman’s Report 2018

14 June 2018

The NFFO’s AGM was this year held in Fishmongers Hall and was attended by UK Fisheries Minister, George Eustice. The Chairman’s report, which is a summary of the Federation’s activities over the past 12 months, along with current positions on the most important issues confronting our industry was presented to members.

Running out of Options

22 May 2018

The NFFO’s East Anglian Committee has highlighted the need for a concerted effort to protect fishing opportunities and the viability of the fleets in the region.

NFFO/SFF Joint Statement

30 April 2018

In a joint statement, Bertie Armstrong of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) and Barrie Deas of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) said: “As the Prime Minister has made crystal clear, at the conclusion of the transition period in December 2020, the UK will have the legal status, under international law, of an independent coastal state; with rights and responsibilities to manage the fisheries under its jurisdiction within the UK exclusive economic zone.

Fishing Industry Organisations across the UK Unite

27 April 2018

“We intend to Hold Government to Account on Brexit Commitments” A broad cross-section from all parts of the UK fishing industry, met recently in Manchester to take stock of the UK’s exit negotiations with the EU, and to agree the elements of a campaign to hold the Government to account on its commitments to the fishing industry.

Industry Should Not Under-estimate new MPA Threat: NFFO

24 April 2018

The fishing industry should not underestimate the threat from a new celebrity-led threat to fast-track marine protected areas, devoid of evidence, says the NFFO.

NFFO Elects New Chairman

22 March 2018

At its most recent meeting, the NFFO Executive Committee unanimously elected Newlyn fisherman, Andrew Pascoe, as the next Chairman of the Federation. He will take over from Mike Cohen at the NFFO annual general meeting later in the summer.

NFFO Elects New Chairman

22 March 2018

At its most recent meeting, the NFFO Executive Committee unanimously elected Newlyn fisherman, Andrew Pascoe, as the next Chairman of the Federation. He will take over from Mike Cohen at the NFFO annual general meeting later in the summer.

NFFO Elects New Chairman

22 March 2018

At its most recent meeting, the NFFO Executive Committee unanimously elected Newlyn fisherman, Andrew Pascoe, as the next Chairman of the Federation. He will take over from Mike Cohen at the NFFO annual general meeting later in the summer.

UK Fishing in the Transition Period

22 March 2018

The NFFO comments on where we are after the EU and UK have agreed arrangements for the 21 month transition after the UK leaves the EU in March next year.

EU Transition: Tactical Concession or Capitulation?

19 March 2018

The NFFO assesses the recent developments in Brussels

Landing Obligation: No Solution So Far to Choke Problem

19 March 2018

The full implementation of the landing obligation – the requirement to land all quota species – is less than nine months away but there is no sign yet that the problem of choke stocks has been resolved. This is the problem faced in mixed fisheries under the landing obligation when exhaustion of quota in one (possibly minor) species will lead to the closure of the fishery as a whole with fleets tied up for the rest of the year. The vessel, member state, or fleets concerned face a double bind: they are not allowed to retain on board the species concerned but neither are they allowed to return it to the sea, unless a specific exemption has been permitted. Chokes could, in theory, halt some fisheries as early as February each year

Meeting with Michael Gove

14 March 2018

An NFFO delegation met recently with Secretary of State, Michael Gove, as the UK and the EU move towards a crucial stage in the negotiations to leave the EU. The Federation reinforced the message, already well understood, that the EU’s aim to tie the UK into the CFP status quo, but with only a notional right to be consulted, would be wholly unacceptable, not only to the UK fishing industry, but to the voting public and strategically important politicians.

Take the Politics Out of Fishing

5 March 2018

Against the background of high level discussions on where fisheries powers should be located after they are repatriated from the CFP, the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation has issued a statement on the distorting effect that devolution is having on fisheries management.

The Prime Minister Spells It Out

5 March 2018

On the cusp of the next and crucial round of negotiations on the UK’s departure from the EU, the Prime Minister has spelt out the UK position on fisheries. Within the context of what is being regarded generally as a thoughtful and conciliatory speech on the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU, the Prime Minister said on fisheries:

Ten Reasons Why Fishing should not be part of a Transitional Deal with the EU

5 February 2018

As the cabinet debates the UK’s detailed positions on Brexit, the NFFO spells out why fishing should not be artificially tied to a transitional deal with the EU on trade.

Commission Publishes its Negotiation Positions on Fisheries: NFFO Executive Reaffirms its Brexit Positions

23 January 2018

The European Commission has recently presented its positions on fisheries to the EU 27 member states, in preparation for the opening of Round 2 Brexit negotiations in Brussels.

Pulse Fishing Agreement to Protect Sensitive Areas on the East Coast

15 January 2018

Following a meeting between Dutch pulse fishermen and English inshore fishermen, just before Christmas, a voluntary agreement has been reached through which the Dutch pulse vessels will refrain from operating in some of the most sensitive areas off the English coast.

David Scott

3 January 2018

We are very sad to hear the news that former NFFO Chairman and President, David Scott, has died.

Tony Delahunty OBE

2 January 2018

NFFO President, Tony Delahunty, has been honoured in the Queen’s New Year List for his services to the fishing industry. A working fishermen in an under-10 metre vessel until this November, Tony has been awarded the OBE in recognition of his huge contribution over many years.

UK Fisheries: the Year Ahead

22 December 2017

Over the next ten months, the shape of the UK’s future outside the EU should become clearer. In order to fit with the parliamentary ratification processes in both the UK and EU, exit negotiations must be concluded by October 2018, if the Government’s timetable for departure in March 2019 is to be met.