News

Highly Protected Marine Areas: NFFO Response

3 October 2022

Consultation on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) - Defra

Welsh Fishermen’s Association formalises membership with NFFO

28 September 2022

The Welsh Fishermen’s Association-Cymdeithas Pysgotwyr Cymru (WFA-CPC) has moved to formalise its membership of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO). The WFA-CPC has applied for membership and has been warmly welcomed into the umbrella organisation for fishermen and vessel operators in England and Wales.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

8 September 2022

The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations expresses its deep condolences on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

NFFO Chairman’s Report 2022

27 July 2022

Introduction The reversal of fortunes of our industry has been sudden and stark. We have a fight on our hands on multiple fronts. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement laid bare the hollowness of the government’s rhetoric as we left the EU and the Common Fisheries Policy. The gap between the promise and reality was spelt out in quota shares and access arrangements little changed from the Common Fisheries Policy and very far from what any self-respecting independent coastal state would expect. Tonnage limits for non-quota species have opened another front where the complexity of the fisheries management issues and an overlay of political positioning are deeply intertwined.

NFFO Chairman: “IFCA Reform is Vital”

19 July 2022

NFFO Chairman, Paul Gilson, discusses what has happened to fuel conflicts between fishermen and their local IFCAs and what might be done about it.

The Frightening Outlook of Fisheries Displacement – Spatial Squeeze Report Published

30 June 2022

The loss of fishing grounds across UK waters points to a frightening outlook for the future of the industry, claims a new report.

Developments within ICES

24 June 2022

The annual meeting between ICES and fisheries stakeholders (MIACO) was held recently in Copenhagen, with many joining the event online, including the NFFO.

Five highly protected marine areas to be set up in English waters

21 June 2022

Leaked information regarding the establishment of five highly protected marine areas has now appeared in the press (below). The NFFO has expressed concern, not so much about the choice of individual sites, which will now be subject to consultation, but the exclusion of fishing representative organisations from the whole process of establishing Highly Protected Marine Areas. Whilst the government has worked with environmental NGOs, there has been no parallel engagement with the fishing industry - the sector that is likely to be the most impacted by HPMAs.

Fuel Costs at Tipping Point

15 June 2022

Many fishing vessels are facing a cruel choice between tying-up or going to sea to make a loss.

NFFO/MMO meeting on a Joined-Up Approach to managing ‘spatial squeeze’

30 May 2022

The accelerated expansion of offshore wind and the pace of application of management measures within marine protected areas pose a potentially huge spatial challenge to the fishing industry. This is not just the well-known view of the fishing sector but is increasingly recognised by those involved in planning and regulation of the marine area.

Federation Delegation Makes the Case to Minister on Fuel Costs

18 May 2022

The four federations representing England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland recently met with Fisheries Minister, Victoria Prentis MP to underline the crisis engulfing the fishing industry caused by the high cost of fuel.

NFFO Plea to Minister on MCA Safety Code

13 May 2022

An NFFO delegation recently met with Transport Minister, Robert Courts MP, to make the case for a review of the way that the Under-15m Safety Code is currently being applied. The Federation has received multiple approaches from fishermen “at the end of their tether” as the MCA applies the new regime introduced in September last year.

Electrifying the Fleet

13 May 2022

The NFFO announces the publication of a report into alternative propulsion.

The Seafarers’ Charity grant award assists appointment of new NFFO Safety Lead

25 April 2022

The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Risk, Safety and Training Lead. The post is partially supported by a three- year grant from The Seafarers’ Charity.

Accelerated Offshore Wind increases the Spatial Squeeze of Fishing

7 April 2022

The Government’s response to the energy security provoked by the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has now been published. One of the key elements (along with increased reliance on nuclear energy and a new round of offshore oil and gas licensing) is an acceleration of the expansion of offshore wind. The new target is to generate 50gw of power by 2030, increasing the massive expansion already planned by 10gw.

Joint Fisheries Statement

29 March 2022

The NFFO publishes its response to the Joint Fisheries Statement consultation currently under way by the four UK fisheries administrations

Fuel Price Crisis

24 March 2022

The NFFO has, today, written to the Fisheries Minister, Victoria Prentis MP, to outline our concerns of the effects that the current fuel price crisis will have on the industry

SeaFit – Mental Health Contacts

21 March 2022

Detailed information on contacts for the SeaFit Programme, particularly around mental health provided by the Royal National Mission for Fishermen.

Seafit Programme

16 March 2022

The SeaFit Programme is a joint initiative from the Fishermen’s Mission and Seafarers Hospital Society, working in partnership to deliver sustainable improvement in the health and well-being of fishermen and their families around the UK.

Joint Fisheries Statement (Consultation) Digest

16 March 2022

The need for JFS arises from the Fisheries Act 2020. The Act set out eight objectives* for fisheries management in the UK, post-Brexit. The JFS is a more detailed, follow-on document from the four fisheries policy authorities (the Secretary of State for the Environment; Scottish Ministers; Welsh Ministers; DAERA in Northern Ireland) setting out the specific policies that will be implemented to achieve those eight objectives. It is the roadmap to delivery of the Fisheries Act.

Catch-App Review

14 March 2022

NFFO declines an invitation to support Judicial Review but says that it is time to review the App.

Ukraine

14 March 2022

The resistance of the Ukrainian people to Russian invasion will go down in history as a beacon of courage, unity, and human values against authoritarian dictatorship. At home we have a duty to support that resistance and provide security and succour for those displaced by the conflict.

UK Women In Fisheries

25 February 2022

UK Women in Fisheries is a network for all women who work in UK fishing, be you vessel owners, fleet managers, fishermen, fishmongers, processors, fishing conservationists, charity workers, trainers or workers somewhere else in the fishing industry.

Crab and Lobster Die-Off

11 February 2022

The disturbing scenes of thousands of crabs and lobsters washed up on the beaches on the Yorkshire and Teeside beaches have caused widespread alarm and major media interest. The finger of blame has been pointed, at various times and from various quarters, with different levels of credibility, at seismic surveys, a disease that also affects dogs, pyridine from spoil dredged from the Tees and a toxic algal bloom.