News - Page 17 of 40

Multi-annual Plan for the Baltic

27 April 2015

Normally the NFFO would not be overly concerned with management measures for the Baltic. Our vessels have no fishing opportunities in the Baltic and as it is a relatively sealed sea, there are no trans- boundary issues for us. However, the general approach to a multi-annual fisheries plan recently adopted by the Council of Ministers in Luxembourg, potentially carries significant implications for our demersal fisheries in the North Sea and Western Waters. After a long delay caused by an inter-institutional dispute between the Council of ministers and the European Parliament, a new generation of management plans are emerging at European level and the Baltic is the first of these dealing with mixed fisheries. So, although nothing is absolutely set in stone for the North Sea or Western Waters by what is agreed for the Baltic, it is reasonable to assume that the management plan set for the Baltic does provide something of a template for the fisheries that follow.

New NFFO Committee for East Anglia: Out of the Blocks Running

13 April 2015

A new regional committee, established to reflect the views of fishermen in East Anglia, came out of the blocks running at its inaugural meeting, held recently in Norwich. Statements of intent were agreed on shellfish management, marine protected areas, working with the local IFCA, and dealing with offshore wind farms.

Bass Measures

30 March 2015

Earlier this year, the Commission introduced emergency measures for the bass fishery following scientific advice that suggested that low recruitment and high fishing mortality had led to a significant decline in the biomass. The emergency measures primarily affected the French pelagic trawl fleet. Subsequently, discussions have been held in Brussels on a further package of measures to address the other sources of mortality on bass.

Reducing Fishing Footprints through Gear Modification

27 March 2015

A workshop on efforts to reduce the seabed contact from trawl gears demonstrates the huge potential for gear impact mitigation as a way to maintain productive fisheries, whilst contributing to marine habitat conservation objectives.

What will the landings obligation mean for me? Will there be time to adapt?

25 March 2015

Two perfectly reasonable questions are being asked across the industry, as the deadline for applying the landings obligation to the whitefish sector looms closer. This article will not provide the answers to those questions. It can only shed some light on the process under way that may, in time, provide the answers.

Regionalisation of the CFP Taking stock

24 March 2015

It is almost two years since it was decided to introduce a degree of regionalisation into decision-making within Common Fisheries Policy. We reflect on what it has meant so far.

Austin Mitchell: 38 Years of Support for the Fishing Industry

19 March 2015

The NFFO recently held a dinner in a London fish restaurant to honour Austin Mitchell MP in recognition and appreciation for his 38 years of steadfast support of the fishing industry in Parliament. He will retire as MP for Great Grimsby at the General Election in May.

Fishing Industry Urges Twitter To ‘Get On Board’ With #CatchofTheDay

16 March 2015

Members of the UK fishing industry are being encouraged to get on board with a forthcoming campaign designed to champion the diversity and sustainability of many species landed by the UK fishing fleet in a week-long Twitter campaign set to take place in March.

GBBO Winner And TV Chef Urges UK Consumers To Try More Fish

13 March 2015

Fishing Industry Takes To Twitter To Celebrate The Diversity and Sustainability Of The UK Fleet.

GBBO Winner And TV Chef Urges UK Consumers To Try More Fish

13 March 2015

Fishing Industry Takes To Twitter To Celebrate The Diversity and Sustainability Of The UK Fleet.

European Fisherman and WFO Pledge to Eliminate Marine Litter

4 March 2015

Europêche, the body representing 80,000 European fishermen, has teamed up with environmental group, Waste Free Oceans (WFO) to help combat the growing issue of marine litter.

‘Joint Working Is The Key To Wind Farm Development’ Say Fishermen

18 February 2015

Industry calls for collaboration to protect valuable industry and livelihoods as new wind farm project takes step forward.

Seafood and the UK Fishing Industry

13 February 2015

“The UK public are being misinformed - by certain core national media organisations, under the influence of green politics, and by some seafood retailers who want consumers to think that fishermen control the price of fish. Nothing could be further from the truth...” – Cormac Burke, Editor of the weekly commercial fishing industry newspaper Fishing News, and editor of the monthly global industry paper Fishing News International.

NFFO Welcomes Defra’s “Measured Approach to Designating Marine Conservation Zones”

30 January 2015

Defra has launched its second tranche consultation on 23 Marine Conservation Zones which is due to run until 24th April.

Fishing Body Rejects Basis for Greenpeace’s Divisive Court Action

27 January 2015

The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) has warned of potentially devastating effects policies outlined by Greenpeace could have on the availability, sustainability and price of fish should the NGO’s High Court action, announced this week, be successful.

NFFO Exec expresses frustration at Government “Inertia”

23 January 2015

The Executive Committee of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) has expressed frustration that inertia in government circles means that fisheries policy on a number of key issues has stalled.

Mervyn Mountjoy

12 January 2015

We are sad to convey the news that Mervyn Mountjoy, who played a very significant role in representing fishermen from the South West, died on Saturday 10th January after a long illness borne with bravery and dignity.

Discards will Dominate Industry in 2015, says NFFO

23 December 2014

With just 12 months to go before the introduction of a landing obligation, which will be the most dramatic change the European fishing industry has seen for 30 years, the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) believes there are still major issues yet to be addressed.

Crystal Ball

23 December 2014

The Federation looks forward to its work programme for 2015.

December Council 2014

19 December 2014

The 2015 deadline for quotas to be set in relation to maximum sustainable yield, where possible, was reflected in both the Commission’s TAC and Quota proposals and the Council of Minister’s deliberations, when the Council met in Brussels on 14th and 15th December to decide on fishing opportunities for 2015

Cod Recovery Rules for 2015

18 December 2014

The MMO has published the rules for vessels operating in the cod recovery zone in 2015

‘Ministers strike a balance to protect livelihoods’ – December Council outcomes

18 December 2014

Quota allocations for 2015 reflect stock recovery and acknowledge importance of local fishing communities.

BBC Today Programme: Ministers must put fishing businesses and livelihoods ahead of MSY dogma: NFFO

15 December 2014

Ahead of the December Council of Fisheries Ministers, which begins today in Brussels, the NFFO has made the fishing industry case to the BBC political flagship Today Programme.

Commissioner Vella and the Fishing Sector

15 December 2014

The NFFO was recently part of a Europeche/EAPO delegation which met with the new Fisheries/Environment Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, who has recently replaced Maria Damanaki.