News

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.

Salmon Compensation Delays

3 April 2020

We have been informed that the process of compensating salmon fishermen for the early closure of the drift net fishery has been impacted by the coronavirus health emergency.

Covid-19 Support for the Fishing Industry

3 April 2020

Follow the link below to a summary of the support that is available to the fishing industry as at 3rd April 2020.

Seal Deterent Trials to Reduce Catch Depredation

3 April 2020

The findings of acoustic seal deterrent trials undertaken in an inshore gill net fishery have been published by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

Claim a grant through the coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme

1 April 2020

Use this scheme if you're self-employed or a member of a partnership and have lost income due to coronavirus.

NFFO Pressing Government for Bespoke Fishing Support Package

1 April 2020

The immediate issue confronting the fishing industry, as the covid-19 virus crisis takes grip of the economy, are the gaps in the otherwise very significant financial support measures announced by the Government.

Financial Support Package

30 March 2020

It is widely acknowledged that the UK Government’s package of financial support to mitigate the economic impacts of the coronavirus health emergency, is unprecedented outside wartime. The immediate task is to assess how good a fit those support packages are for the fishing industry, which is in many ways unique as an economic sector, and to identify any gaps which require additional attention. Government and industry are dealing with a dynamic and fluid situation under extreme time pressures.

NFFO/UKAFPO Reaction to Coronavirus Support Measures

27 March 2020

Until yesterday, provision for the self-employed was the biggest gap in the UK Government’s unprecedented package of financial support measures to mitigate the economic shock caused by the coronavirus health emergency. There is no doubting the scale of the ambition and the clear intention behind the steps taken so far.

Support Package for Self-Employed Share Fishermen in next 24/48 Hours

24 March 2020

An announcement is expected within the next 24/48 hours on package of support that will help self-employed share-fishermen impacted by the coronavirus. A proposal has been submitted to the Treasury for decision. Whilst no guarantees are being given, there are high expectations that this new package will fill some of the gaps in the economic support measures announced so far. Self-employed share-fishermen are not eligible for the support given to wage earners (80% of earnings up to £2500 per month) and so it is imperative that the government acts urgently to fill this gap.The announcement on share fishermen is likely to be part of a package on measures for the self-employed more generally.

NFFO during the Shutdown

24 March 2020

In compliance with the Government’s instructions to limit attendance at workplaces, the NFFO office in York will be closing with immediate effect. This does not mean in any way that the Federation will cease to function. At this crucial time, it will continue to represent fishermen and vessel operators across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, albeit through different means than travelling to face-to-face meetings.

Response to Coronavirus Epidemic

23 March 2020

The Government has reacted to the potential health and economic damage caused by the pandemic, by announcing interventions on a scale not seen before outside mobilisation for war. New measures to encourage social distancing and to limit economic damage are being announced daily, with the aim of saving lives and preventing heath support systems being overwhelmed. Within the economy and society, individuals, businesses and organisations are taking their own steps to mitigate the impact of the temporary but massive crisis.

Joint Action Group on Coronavirus Formed

19 March 2020

A joint fishing sector/government action group has been formed to work on urgent measures to support the fishing industry through the coronavirus emergency. The virus has created a public health emergency, as well a profound economic crisis. The most immediate effect is being felt in a liquidity crisis in fishing businesses, where demand has reduced, and in some cases dried completely. The picture is a mixed one, with shellfish bearing the brunt of the crisis in its early stages.

Impact of Coronavirus on Fishing

16 March 2020

Dialogue has begun between the NFFO and the Government on how best to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the fishing industry over its duration.

New Shellfish Group Gets Under Way

13 March 2020

The recently formed Shellfish Industry Advisory Group met recently in London for its second meeting to plan out its work programme. The new group is in Government seen as being at the cutting edge of co-management, where the fishers, fisheries managers and fisheries scientists work together to manage specific fisheries as partners.

Pelagics Prepare for UK Adjustment

9 March 2020

The UK’s new status as an independent coastal state was widely recognised at a recent seminar held at the North Atlantic Seafood Conference in Bergen. An audience of invited guests heard from a panel which included representatives from the Norwegian, Faeroese and Danish pelagic organisations along with the NFFO. The seminar was organised by Norge Sildesalgslag.

A New Equilibrium

2 March 2020

The tectonic plates of European and internal UK politics are shifting. One consequence of this is that fishing has been thrust into a political prominence not seen since the cod wars with Iceland in the 1970s. Fishing rights have become one of the most emblematic issues associated with the UK’s departure from the EU. The NFFO examines where this shift will take the UK fishing industry.

EU Negotiating Mandate and NFFO Comment

26 February 2020

The EU’s negotiating mandate for the future relationship with the UK has been published. It is reproduced below, along with an NFFO commentary. The negotiations will begin in early March.

Catch App for Under-10s

21 February 2020

The MMO is introducing a mobile phone-based catch app for recording catches from the under 10 metre fleet. The NFFO addresses questions that have arisen.

What would a good deal on fishing look like?

3 February 2020

The Independent has published an article on what the NFFO would consider a good outcome from the forthcoming negotiations on a future fisheries agreement outside the Common Fisheries Policy.

Fishing: A Red Line Issue

31 January 2020

It may be a coincidence of timing but the day after the NFFO/SFF piled on the pressure with a major event in the Westminster Parliament, the Government has announced that getting a better deal for UK fishermen will be one of its five key negotiating principles with the EU.

Incredible Level of Support Across Parliament

30 January 2020

An “incredible level of support” for the fishing industry, was expressed at an event in Westminster organised jointly by the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation. The event, which was held within the Palace of Westminster attracted support from over 100 parliamentarians, MPs and lords, across the political spectrum. It took place two days before the UK leaves the EU, on the day which the Fisheries Bill received its first reading, and ahead of critical negotiations on future fisheries arrangements between the UK and EU. These are expected to begin in February or March.

The Year Ahead – A UK/EU Fisheries Agreement

28 December 2019

In an industry that has experienced many momentous years and critical turning points, 2020 stands to be one of the most pivotal in our history.

Last Council

20 December 2019

The NFFO Team attend the the UK's Last December Council