News

Industry Unites to Oppose Benyon Report

24 July 2020

Comments from across the industry spectrum emphasised that there is much in the report to concern the fishing industry, both […]

Fisheries Bill Lords Amendments Virtue Signalling vs Sustainable Fisheries Management

24 July 2020

Of the eight objectives included in the Fisheries Bill, five of them relate to fishing sustainably. And that’s fine. Without a functioning ecosystem and policies which limit fishing to safe levels, there will be no fishing industry. It makes sense too, from an economic perspective, for our management decisions to aim to achieve maximum yields, where that is a reasonable option. What fisherman would be against high sustainable yields?

Draft Joint Statement & Press Release 

20 July 2020

Government, the national fishing federations and the Fishermen’s Mission share a commitment to the whole fishing industry. This means not only the fishing businesses that make up the sector - but also the crews who work on the vessels as owner/operators, self-employed share-fishermen, or fishermen under employment contracts. 

Meeting with UK Chief Brexit Negotiator

28 June 2020

A small delegation from the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations met recently (remotely) with Chief Negotiator, David Frost. The meeting took place ahead of five weeks of intensive negotiations designed to put momentum back into efforts to reach a deal on the future UK/EU relationship.

Mk3 FishSAFE unit now available

26 June 2020

The latest version of the FishSAFE unit, the essential safety information tool for fishermen working near offshore oil and gas infrastructure in the UK Continental Shelf, is now available.

Remote Electronic Monitoring: Instrument of Control or Assurance Tool?

18 June 2020

As the Fisheries Bill passes through the House of Lords, amendments have been laid down that would make CCTV cameras aboard all fishing vessels mandatory. The NFFO provides its view.

Post Brexit Landing Obligation

11 June 2020

One of the benefits of leaving the Common Fisheries Policy will be the potential to rethink and redesign the landing obligation. Initially the industry will continue to work under EU retained law, but after 1st January there will be scope to redesign and implement new arrangements tailored to the conditions in UK fisheries. Both Defra and the NFFO have begun work to identify deficiencies in the EU landing obligation and how these could be addressed to inform a more effective and workable UK discard policy. The contents of this paper were discussed at a recent Defra/MMO/NFFO landing obligation forum.

Government Panel Eyes No Fishing Zones Despite Existing World-Beating UK Marine Protected Area Network

8 June 2020

The government-sponsored Benyon Review, and its all-out advocacy for banning fishing in a new set of areas referred to as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), comes as a hammer blow for fishing communities having to cope with the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainties of the Brexit negotiations. This is despite Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) already comprising 40% of the total area of English waters, with a swathe of 41 sites being designated only last year.

Next Steps on Inshore Fisheries: Future of Inshore Fisheries Report Published

5 June 2020

The delayed report from the Conference on the Future of Inshore Fisheries has been published along with an outline of how the conference conclusions will be taken forward.

Covid-19: Social Distancing and the Fishing Industry

29 May 2020

The NFFO, with the support of Nathan de Rozarieux and the Fishmongers Company, has produced guidance to help different types of fishing vessel undertake Covid-19 risk assessments.

Covid-Safe Fishing: Adapting to the New Conditions

17 May 2020

Some parts of the UK fleet have been able to fish on through the coronavirus emergency, bringing food to tables during a time when the crisis was at its worst. Other vessels have seen their markets disappear completely and have had no option but to tie up. Whatever their current situation, vessels going back to sea or continuing to fish, will face a new set of challenges relating to how they might operate in a world in which a second surge in the pandemic is an ongoing threat.

Developing a participatory approach to the management of fishing activity in UK offshore Marine Protected Areas

14 May 2020

Successfully involving the fishing sector and stakeholders in decision-making over the management of fisheries in marine protected areas (MPAs) is important to their overall effectiveness and sustainable management of our seas. The results of a new project including new tools and approaches to use when establishing, evaluating and adapting fisheries management measures in MPAs aims to help achieve just that.

£500,000 from Seafarers UK for Fishers Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic

4 May 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on merchant seafarers, fishers and their families, the Seafarers UK charity has created a new Seafarers UK COVID-19 Emergency Fund of £2million, with £500,000 immediately allocated to assist fishing communities across Britain.

UK-EU Negotiations: Fisheries

28 April 2020

After last week’s round of negotiations, Michel Barnier singled out fisheries as one of the areas where insufficient progress is being made towards the point at the end of June when a decision is to be made (according to the Withdrawal Agreement) on whether to proceed with negotiations. Having ceased to be an EU member State at the end of January, the UK has repeatedly indicated its intention to leave the transitional period and not to ask for an extension.

Fisheries Response Fund: Detailed Advice

22 April 2020

Detailed advice has been provided by the MMO on accessing the Government’s financial support for fishing businesses.

Fisheries Response Fund

20 April 2020

Statement by the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations

Government announces financial support for England’s fishing businesses

17 April 2020

£10 million fund for England’s fishing and aquaculture sectors announced. More than 1,000 fishing and aquaculture businesses in England will receive direct cash grants through a fisheries support scheme announced today by Environment Secretary George Eustice and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay.

Financial Support Package Announced for English Fishing Industry

17 April 2020

After intense political activity, and in some quarters mounting despair, the Government has overnight announced a package of financial support for the English fleet. Its purpose is to mitigate some of the impacts of the coronavirus health emergency by covering some of the fixed costs faced by fishing businesses, whilst facing collapsed or seriously depleted markets.

Political Pressure for Support Package Ratcheted Up

16 April 2020

The NFFO has continued to ratchet up political pressure on the Government for a financial support package for the English fleets. Hundreds of MPs, including coastal MPs and government ministers, including those in the Treasury, have received briefing notes and urged to intervene. The telephone lines have been red hot as Scotland, Northern Ireland and then Wales announced support for their schemes. So far, the Treasury has stalled on English support, apparently fearful of setting a precedent for other sectors of the economy which fall through the financial support measures already announced.

Supporting the UK’s fishing industry through COVID-19 and beyond: New Interactive Retail Map and Grants Programme Launched

16 April 2020

COVID-19 has resulted in the closure of fish markets and the UK restaurant trade is now at a standstill. Now, more than ever, it is vital that we help fishers find local markets, so that they can keep working and to ensure that the British public has access to a vital, fresh food supply.

William Hocking (Downderry Bill)  1929 – 2020

10 April 2020

We are very sad to hear that Bill Hocking, fisherman from Looe in Cornwall, has died. Mixed with our sadness, is appreciation for a life well lived as a fisherman, and as an energetic representative for fishermen in Looe, Cornwall and the South West.

Frustration Mounting

9 April 2020

Frustration is mounting across those parts of the fishing industry impacted by the coronavirus, but which fall through the gaps in the financial support offered by the government. NFFO Chief Executive, Barrie Deas said, “We know that the case has been made to Treasury for a support package for the fishing industry. We also know that this is being discussed at the highest levels within government – but the delay in making an announcement as we head into a holiday weekend is creating a profound sense of frustration, not to say despair.”

Covid-19 NFFO Briefing Note for MPs

8 April 2020

National Federation of Fishermen's Organisanisations Covid-19 support package for the fishing industry briefing - April 2020

Pressure Mounts on Government for Fishing Support Package

8 April 2020

Pressure is mounting on the UK Government for a support package for the fishing industry in England and Wales. Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man have already announced financial support packages of various kinds for their fleets. The focus is now on Westminster for parallel support for fishing businesses squeezed by mounting fixed costs and collapsed demand, due to covid-19, and who cannot access other business support mechanisms.