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News » Catching
  • Norway pledges to help EU with fishing reform

    NORWAY'S Fisheries Minister Lisbeth Berg-Hansen has pledged to help the European Union with its reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

    Published:  06 February, 2012
  • THE PRINCE OF WALES OUTLINES A POSITIVE FUTURE FOR THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL FISH STOCKS

    The Prince of Wales says that despite evidence about the continued decline of the world’s fish stocks there is real cause for optimism about the future of this vital resource.

    Published:  06 February, 2012
  • FISHUPDATE BRIEFING

    News from around the industry

    Published:  03 February, 2012
  • Simon Coveney

    COVENEY OPENS PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS ON HOW TO HARNESS IRELAND'S OCEAN WEALTH

    Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has today (Thursday February 2 2012) launched a public consultation process on how to harness the potential of Ireland’s vast marine resource

    Published:  02 February, 2012
  • Seafish update – industry meetings moved

    Seafish has taken the decision to move next week’s follow-up meetings with the UK fishing industry to later in the month while it waits on the final detail of its new operating structure and objectives being agreed.

    Published:  02 February, 2012
  • MMO offers to fund fisheries management research

    THE Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is offering funding to those seeking to improve fisheries management.

    Published:  01 February, 2012
  • Big increase in trawler firm's earnings

    HB Grandi, one of Iceland's top three fishing companies, has announced a value earnings of some 18 billion kroners or 111-million euros for all of  its catches last year.

    Published:  01 February, 2012
  • Great catching efficiency gains over quality, Norwegian study finds

    Nofima Mat, the Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, has looked at the correlation between the choice of gear, vessel size, catch size and the quality of raw materials from the coastal fleet and has reported findings that indicate the quality is deteriorating.

    Published:  01 February, 2012
  • ITF launches fishers’ convention guide

    The ITF will launch a free guide for fishers’ trade unions to the ILO Work in Fishing Convention tomorrow.

    Published:  31 January, 2012
  • Seafish invites applicants for feasibility study into bulk uses for discarded fish

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, is commissioning a project to assess potential uses for discarded fish that is not destined for human consumption.

    Published:  30 January, 2012
  • New approach to marine conservation zones lined up

    A NEW approach on marine protection areas is being put forward following a meeting between the Anglo-Scottish fishing coalition and a number of key organisations.

    Published:  30 January, 2012
  • Danish fishing dismay at Greenpeace acquittal

    FISHERMEN in Denmark have expressed their dismay following the acquittal by jury of the conservation group Greenpeace in a Danish Court.

    Published:  30 January, 2012
  • Richard Lochhead

    SCOT GOV: 1BN POUND MACKEREL LANDINGS AT RISK

    The Scottish Fisheries Secretary has warned that a third straight year without an international mackerel deal will put at risk the future of this very valuable fishery.

    Published:  30 January, 2012
  • SCOT GOV: WAY AHEAD FOR INSHORE FISHING

    £750k funding under new strategy for fishing activity close to shore.

    Published:  27 January, 2012
  • FISHUPDATE BRIEFING

    News stories from the industry.

    Published:  27 January, 2012
  • Friend of the Sea becomes international sustainability standard for OMEGA-3

    Friend of the Sea, the major sustainability certification for products from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, has also become the international reference standard for producers of fish oil, fishmeal and Omega-3.

    Published:  27 January, 2012
  • Norab Services will help keep you at sea!

    Norab are providers of Indumar STOP IT® products which are used to repair and reinforce industrial and domestic metal or plastic pipes in virtually any situation, even underwater, and are located in Aberdeen, distributing to Scotland and the rest of the UK.

    Published:  26 January, 2012
  • Versatile new vessel design set to spark huge interest at ‘Fishing, Aquaculture and Seafood Expo – from Sea to Plate’

    A new multi-purpose under 10m vessel from Cygnus Workboats that is ideal for potting, netting and jigging is set to be a major attraction at the forthcoming ‘Fishing, Aquaculture and Seafood Expo – from Sea to Plate’ that is being staged in Glasgow, Scotland, in March 2012.

    Published:  26 January, 2012
  • Sea shanty group raise money for seafarers in need

    Cornish sea shanty group Stamp and Go will be raising money for the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, which supports seafarers in need, with the launch of their latest CD on 1st  February.

    Published:  25 January, 2012
  • John Buchan takes up new role with SFF Services

    SFF Services Ltd has appointed John C Buchan to the role of Marine Assurance Officer in a move that will provide crucial support to the company’s Operations Team.

    Published:  25 January, 2012
  • Hopes of another busy year ahead for Lerwick Harbour

    IN the wake of increased traffic in 2011, including a higher value of fish landings, Lerwick Harbour officials are confident that another busy year lies ahead for Shetland’s capital.

    Published:  25 January, 2012
  • Ex minister tells of Cod War death threat

    A FORMER Icelandic Government Minister has told how he was threatened with death while negotiating the Cod War settlement between his country and Britain more than 35 years ago.

    Published:  25 January, 2012
  • China Maritime Week 2012 - Challenging Year Ahead

    The global maritime industry is bracing for a challenging year ahead, and there is an increasing need for the industry to get together and discuss the wide range of issues that will have to be addressed.

    Published:  25 January, 2012
  • Free-for-All in Southern Pacific Decimates Fish Stocks

    WASHINGTON, DC, January 25, 2012 – Asian, European and Latin American fleets have devastated fish stocks in the southern Pacific, once among the world’s richest waters, a new investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists has found.

    Published:  25 January, 2012
  • Mobilarm: Marine Safety Technology Pioneer David Marshall Appointed to Mobilarm Board

    Global marine safety equipment provider, Mobilarm Limited has appointed David Marshall, a highly regarded figure in the world of maritime safety, to its board of directors, effective 20th January 2012.

    Published:  23 January, 2012
  • DAG calls for greater clarity on CFP reform proposals

    The Discard Action Group (DAG), a cross-industry group formed in 2007 facilitated by Seafish, has written to the EU’s Commissioner for Fisheries, Maria Damanaki to emphasise the importance of discard reduction, within long-term management plans, as a tool for achieving sustainable fishing.

    Published:  23 January, 2012
  • LONG RANGE HELICOPTER MISSION FROM STORNOWAY

    Stornoway Coastguard rescue helicopter rescued a severely injured fisherman from a vessel 230 miles offshore on Saturday January 21 2012.

    Published:  23 January, 2012
  • Seafish seeking charter vessels for selective gear trials in the Irish Sea

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, is seeking three charter vessels to trial five different highly selective TR2 gears operating on Irish Sea nephrops grounds, out of a port in Northern Ireland.

    Published:  23 January, 2012
  • Keep Fishermen Fishing Rally in DC - March 21

    “Keep Fishermen Fishing” Organizers Unite to Fix Federal Fisheries Law.

    Published:  23 January, 2012
  • Two bodies found from stricken Irish trawler Tit Bonhomme

    DIVERS have recovered two bodies from the Irish trawler Tit Bonhomme which sank off the Cork coast last Sunday.

    Published:  20 January, 2012
  • Kefalonia first Friend of the Sea certified aquaculture farm in Greece

    Friend of the Sea project expands in Greece as Kefalonia Fisheries, a major producer of Mediterranean Sea Bream, Sea Bass and Meagre, obtains sustainability certification.

    Published:  19 January, 2012
  • Bertie Armstrong

    Scottish fishermen call for government support as efforts focus on ensuring fleet has enough fishing days to ensure survival

    The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation will underline tomorrow (Friday 20 January) at the first meeting in 2012 of the Fisheries Management and Conservation Group (FMAC) in Edinburgh that no stone must be left unturned in finding ways to ensure that Scotland’s fishing fleet has enough fishing days in 2012 to remain viable.

    Published:  19 January, 2012
  • Stabicraft Marine Delivers 9 Fishery Monitoring Vessels to Alaska

    New Zealand’s Stabicraft Marine has delivered nine custom 659 Wheel House vessels to Alaska where they will be used as observation boats to monitor the gill net fishery and the fishery’s interaction with sea mammals and sea birds.

    Published:  19 January, 2012
  • CREWMAN PLEADS GUILTY OF FAILURE TO KEEP A PROPER LOOKOUT

    On  17th March 2011 the United Kingdom Registered Fishing Vessel Reliant, BCK101, grounded on Sule Skerry to the South West of the  Orkney Islands.

    Published:  19 January, 2012
  • New research sheds light on whale by-catch in the Korean peninsula

    New published research from Professor Douglas MacMillan of the University of Kent’s School of Anthropology and Conservation has shed light on one of the most contentious issues in global conservation – the sale of skin, blubber and meat from whales caught accidentally.

    Published:  17 January, 2012
  • Richard Lochhead

    LAUNCH OF SEAFOOD PARTNERSHIP

    New Scottish seafood promotion group meets for first time.

    Published:  17 January, 2012
  • Irish trawler tragedy: hopes of more survivors all but gone

    HOPES of finding any more survivors from the Irish fishing boat Tit Bonhomme,. which sank off the coast of Cork on Sunday morning, have all but faded.

    Published:  17 January, 2012
  • Scots MEP seeks industry views on key CFP reform paper

    A Scots Euro MP has issued a call for feedback from the fishing industry on the final draft of his report to the European Commission on a key section of Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform.

    Published:  17 January, 2012
  • Fishermen ask US President not to treat fisheries as an 'afterthought'

    US President, Barak Obama, has announced a plan to abolish the Department of Commerce—home to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) since 1970. If the plan is implemented, NOAA would become part of the US Department of the Interior.

    Published:  17 January, 2012
  • Fishing communities to benefit from FLAGs funding

    A scheme is to provide funding for projects that make a difference in local Scottish fishing communities, with up to £7.6 million to be shared out across 13 local authorities.

    Published:  16 January, 2012
  • Search resumes for crew of Irish fisning vessel

    A MAJOR search for five fishermen whose trawler sank off the southern coast of Ireland early on Sunday resumed at first light today.

    Published:  16 January, 2012
  • Maine shrimp industry to seek longer season

    The Northern Shrimp Section will consider a request by Maine shrimp fishermen, processors and dealers to increase the 2012 shrimp harvest quota when the regulators meet January 19 in Portland.

    Published:  16 January, 2012
  • Aberdeenshire councillor expresses concern over mackerel MSC certification suspension

    A LEADING Aberdeenshire councillor has expressed concern at the 90-day notice issued by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to suspend the certification of sustainability from the Scottish mackerel fishery.

    Published:  16 January, 2012
  • MISSING CREWMAN FROM FISHING VESSEL

    At 02.29 am this morning, Friday, Holyhead coastguard received a call from a fishing vessel to report one of their crew missing.

    Published:  13 January, 2012
  • MSC to suspend mackerel cetificates until fisheries dispute resolved

    Marine Stewardship Council certified mackerel fisheries in the North East Atlantic ocean have received notice that their certificates will be suspended on 30th March 2012 unless issues in the fisheries are resolved.

    Published:  12 January, 2012
  • Eyemouth fishermen call for greater Government support at Ministerial meeting

    Eyemouth fishermen and other local stakeholders will tell UK Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore at a meeting in Eyemouth today (12 January) that the fishing industry must be given as much Government support as possible so as to create the optimum conditions to ensure survival.

    Published:  12 January, 2012
  • Seafish analysis of TACs agreed for 2012

    In response to the recent fish quota talks Seafish, the authority on seafood, has produced a summary document showing the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) agreed by the European Union in December 2011 for 2012, compared with the scientific recommendations made by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

    Published:  11 January, 2012
  • Environmental accounting project launched for cod and haddock

    A NEW EU-project is to carry out environmental accounting for catch and production of cod and haddock.

    Published:  11 January, 2012
  • UK fishing industry "facing pivotal year"

    ALL the signs are that 2012 will be a pivotal year for the fishing industry, says the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations.

    Published:  11 January, 2012
  • World Fisheries Congress, May 2012

    In the run up to the 6th World Fisheries Congress in May 2012, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Vice President of the Congress, Michel Kaiser, has participated in an interview with the American Fisheries Society (AFS) which details further the events taking place in May.

    Published:  11 January, 2012
  • Scottish Pelagic Processors Association takes over from Herring Buyers

    The Herring Buyers Association Ltd has just received approval from Companies House to change its name to the Scottish Pelagic Processors Association Ltd (SPPA) and will be know by that title with immediate effect.

    Published:  09 January, 2012
  • MAN OVERBOARD FROM FRENCH TRAWLER FISHING OFF ISLE OF LEWIS

    Stornoway Coastguard coordinated the search and rescue of a man overboard from a French fishing vessel in the early hours of Sunday (January 8 2012) morning off the Isle of Lewis.

    Published:  09 January, 2012
  • POSTPONEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT: FISH AND MARINE 2012

    Exhibition Management Services (EMS), organisers of Fish & Marine Africa 2012, has announced the postponement of the expo, which was scheduled to take place from 13 to 15 March this year in Cape Town.

    Published:  09 January, 2012
  • Seafish: An update on the ‘Discussion with Industry’ process

    Following the ‘Discussion with Industry’ workshops last autumn on the future of Seafish, the four UK Fisheries Ministers will soon publish a summary of the discussion and high level outcomes.

    Published:  09 January, 2012
  • FOUR PLEAD GUILTY TO OVER-FISHING WORTH OVER £8 MILLION

    At the High Court in Edinburgh today, four fishermen pled guilty to offences of making false declarations regarding over £8 million of fish that they landed.

    Published:  06 January, 2012
  • First langoustine landing of the year into Buckie provides a flying start to 2012 for Moray Seafoods

    Following a short trip to the North Sea fishing grounds, trawler skipper Sandy West successfully completed the first landing of 2012 of langoustines (prawns) into Buckie, enabling local processing firm Moray Seafoods to get the New Year off to a flying start by ensuring its customers are kept supplied with the highest quality shellfish.

    Published:  05 January, 2012
  • Jon Bjarnason loses Iceland Fisheries Minister post

    JON Bjarnason has been ousted as Iceland's Fisheries Minister after more than two years in the post.

    Published:  04 January, 2012
  • SCOT GOV - BUCKIE FISHING VISIT

    Fisheries Secretary welcomes one of Scotland's first 2012 prawn landings in Buckie.

    Published:  03 January, 2012
  • Iceland outlaws all fishing for halibut

    ICELAND has moved to ban virtually all halibut fishing with almost immediate effect because of growing fears over the state of the stock.

    Published:  28 December, 2011
  • NFI Crab Council Begins Search for Asia Liaison

    The NFI Crab Council in the US will retain an Asia Liaison, who will be the primary in-region contact for the Council’s projects. The position will work with in-country trade associations and various stakeholders on fisheries improvement work.

    Published:  28 December, 2011
  • WWF TAKES STOCK OF SCOTTISH FISH PROSPECTS FOR 2012

    The year 2011 was a "mixed year" for Scotland's fish stocks and fishing industry, said WWF Scotland today (Wednesday 28 December) as it published its end of year assessment of the state of Scotland's main whitefish stocks. [1]

    Published:  28 December, 2011
  • Fish conservation group accused of 'speaking without thinking'

    The Marine Conservation Society has been accused of  'speaking  without thinking' in its criticism of some of the decisions from the recent EU fish quota talks.

    Published:  27 December, 2011
  • Funding available for Cornish fishermen to complete under 16.5m Skipper’s Tickets

    Cornish Fishermen have until 31 March 2012 to take advantage of 100% funding towards the Seafish Under 16.5m Skipper’s Certificate or £1000 towards an MCA Deck or Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency.

    Published:  22 December, 2011
  • CONSERVATION KEY TO DAYS AT SEA

    A deal done after two days of frenzied negotiations in Brussels has secured the future of Scotland’s fishing fleet – but further improvements could not be implemented because of legal red tape, Scotland’s Fishing Minister Richard Lochhead told MSPs today.

    Published:  22 December, 2011
  • GREAT result for Shetland Seafood Auctions

    Shetland Seafood Auctions is pleased to announce that 258,286 boxes of white fish were landed at the market in 2011, a figure significantly higher than in 2010. This is a great result for Shetland’s white fish sector, which has faced tough quotas and a huge reduction in fishing effort imposed at the start of the year.

    Published:  21 December, 2011
  • NFI Crab Council Welcomes Crab Sustainability Group

    The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has formed its own Crab Council as part of its Seafood Committee that will work on Blue Swimming Crab sustainability projects. NFI’s Crab Council is eager to work with the new group and has already donated seed money to help get it up and running.

    Published:  21 December, 2011
  • Brussels "absurdity" makes EU reform even more urgent

    MAJOR reform of the Common Fisheries Policy was now even more urgent following the "absurdity" of last week's EU fish quota negotions, the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, said yesterday.

    Published:  20 December, 2011
  • After the December Fisheries Council the SWFPO Ltd counts the cost.

    Chairman, Bill Brock and Chief Executive, Jim Portus, have now returned to work after the Brussels Fisheries Council that ended in the early hours of Saturday morning, 17th December.

    Published:  20 December, 2011
  • Fisherman loses hand in accident

    A fisherman, who was airlifted from a vessel off the Sussex after severing his hand, has had surgery.

    Published:  19 December, 2011
  • Iceland's successful herring season comes to end

    ICELAND has just completed a highly successful herring season with the quality of the fish better than ever.

    Published:  19 December, 2011
  • EU TALKS END - WWF Scotland reaction

    Responding to the conclusion of two days of talks in which European Fisheries Ministers have agreed on the fishing opportunities for 2012 Dr Mireille Thom, Senior Marine Policy Officer at WWF Scotland said: "We are encouraged that the catch proposals have largely been set on the basis of scientific advice - a key requirement to deliver a sustainable future for our fisheries.

    Published:  19 December, 2011
  • UK secures victory in the EU fisheries negotiations

    The UK Government has secured a victory for the fishing industry by stopping a massive cut in the number of days that fishermen are allowed to spend at sea.

    Published:  19 December, 2011
  • Bitter blow for Scottish fleet as fishing days are slashed

    Following a marathon session of talks, the EU Fish Council in Brussels to decide upon catching opportunity for 2012 concluded earlyon Saturday morning (17 December) with the Scottish fleet being hit by the bitter blow of a further cut in the number of days that its vessels can put to sea next year.

    Published:  19 December, 2011
  • Mixed bag from fish talks

    Industry saved from days at sea penalties but challenges still remain.

    Published:  19 December, 2011
  • UK fishermen and politicians divided over EU fish deal

    WHILE  senior politicians were hailing the result of the weekend European Union fish quota talks as the "best possible deal", fishermen in Scotland and  England were taking quite the opposite view.

    Published:  19 December, 2011
  • “RECORD OUTCOME FOR IRELAND AT EUFISHERIES NEGOTIATIONS” – COVENEY

    Following the conclusion of lengthy and complex EU fisheries negotiations the Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, said: “I am delighted at the outcome of these negotiations which delivered my key priorities and will allow the Irish fishing fleet to look forward to 2012 with optimism.

    Published:  19 December, 2011
  • Faroese Prime Minister criticizes EU Commission’s stance on the mackerel issue

    Prime Minister criticizes EU Commission’s stance on the mackerel issue.

    Published:  19 December, 2011
  • OVER £3.1 MILLION CONFISCATED AFTER GUILTY PLEAS TO OVERFISHING

    At the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, December 16 2011 17 fishermen, who had previously pled guilty to landing undeclared fish at Shetland Catch Ltd in Lerwick between 2002 and 2005, were the subject of confiscation orders totalling £2,945,600.

    Published:  19 December, 2011
  • European mackerel fishermen express support for proposed EU sanctions against Iceland and the Faroe Islands

    European Commissioner Maria Damanaki presented yesterday (15 December) at the Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels her proposal for sanction measures against third countries that permit non-sustainable fishing in their waters.

    Published:  16 December, 2011
  • Scots mackerel fishermen welcome sanctions announcement by EC Fisheries Commissioner

    Scottish mackerel fishermen have welcomed the commitment givenon Thursday (15 December) by Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki at the EU Fish Council meeting in Brussels that negotiations for a new mackerel agreement in January are the last chance for Faroes and Iceland to avoid sanctions.

    Published:  16 December, 2011
  • Iceland's mackerel negotiator calles for change of tactics

    ICELAND'S mackerel negotiator has urged the EU to change its tactics towards his country in the wake of news that Brussels is finally planning sanctions against both Iceland and the Faroes.

    Published:  16 December, 2011
  • EU parliament rejects EU-Morocco fisheries extension

    THE European Parliament voted on Wednesday to reject a proposed extension of the controversial EU-Morocco fisheries agreement and called on the Commission to negotiate a new, more environmentally and economically beneficial deal, which should take account of the interests of the Sahrawi population.

    Published:  16 December, 2011
  • SCOT GOV: 'LAST CHANCE' ON MACKEREL DEAL

    EU Fisheries Commissioner says sanctions to come if no mackerel deal in January.

    Published:  16 December, 2011
  • Seafish response to European Fisheries Funding Report

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, has responded to a key report on the future of European Fisheries Funding published by the EU Court of Auditors this week.

    Published:  16 December, 2011
  • Norway increasingly important for cod and haddock, Grimsby workshop told

    NORWAY is becoming an increasingly important source of cod and haddock to the UK, although Iceland remains the largest supplier of these two species, a Grimsby trade workshop in Grimsby was told yesterday.

    Published:  15 December, 2011
  • EU moves closer towards imposing fish sanctions against Iceland and Faroes

    THE European Commission has moved closer towards imposing sanctions against Iceland and the Faroe Islands over their controversial mackerel overfishing policy.

    Published:  15 December, 2011
  • Science must be key determining factor in EU fisheries negotiations

    Our fishermen must be given enough time at sea to catch the quotas allocated to them, said Scotland's Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead.

    Published:  14 December, 2011
  • Great results for Seafish ‘Fish is the Dish’ campaign

    Seafish, the UK’s authority on seafood, reports a superb response to its ‘Fish is the Dish’ campaign. Launched in October, it has so far reached 120,000 consumers (twice as many as anticipated by this early stage) and this week was ranked the UK’s 15th ‘Most Talked About’ blogging campaign by the Tots 100 Brand Index - just two places behind Tesco.

    Published:  14 December, 2011
  • European Commission adopts proposals for overfishing sanctions

    Proposals have finally been progressed by the European Commission that could see sanctions brought against Faroes and Iceland for their reckless overfishing of mackerel.

    Published:  14 December, 2011
  • FISHING OPPORTUNITY FOR 2012 – NOWHERE NEAR “BUSINESS AS USUAL”

    One the eve of EC Fisheries Council (15 & 16 December) into deciding upon catching opportunity for 2012, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is warning that every effort must be focused on ensuring that the fishing fleet is not hit by further cuts in the number of days that vessels can go to sea next year, which as well as being devastating economically would also have a series of knock-on effects that would at a stroke destroy years of hard work by fishermen to conserve stocks.

    Published:  14 December, 2011
  • OCEANA: EU FISHERIES MINISTERS MUST SET ASIDE SHORT TERM INTERESTS IN CATCH LIMIT DECISIONS

    Oceana is urging EU Fisheries Council Ministers to put aside short term interests in tomorrow’s meeting to establish 2012 catch limits for the main species targeted by Europe’s Atlantic fleet.

    Published:  14 December, 2011
  • European Council Meeting on Agriculture & Fisheries

    EAPO CALLS UPON COUNCIL TO AVOID UNREALISTIC AND ARBITRARY

    MEASURES PROPOSED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

    Published:  14 December, 2011
  • Pembrokeshire Fish Week 2012

    Fantastic fish and shellfish, wonderful coastal activities, and plenty of family fun - it’s a recipe for success for Pembrokeshire Fish Week 2012.

    Published:  14 December, 2011
  • Seafish invites feedback from industry on developing seafood labelling legislation

    Seafish has invited industry to provide input on proposed new changes on the way that seafood products should be labelled in the future.

    Published:  14 December, 2011
  • Low levels of mercury in Norwegian cod

    Fillets from cod taken in Norwegian harbours and fjords contain low levels of mercury, according to a new report.

    Published:  13 December, 2011
  • SCOTTISH VESSELS REMOVE 242 TONNES OF MARINE LITTER

    A project involving 162 fishing vessels from 17 Scottish harbours has ensured that over 242 tonnes of rubbish has been taken from the seas since 2008.

    Published:  13 December, 2011
  • MEP condemns Illegal fisheries deal with Morocco to 'plunder over-fished stocks'

    During a plenary debate in the European Parliament last night (12 December 11), the East of England MEP Stuart Agnew has accused the EU of attempting to push through a fisheries deal with Morocco that would be illegal and allow over-fishing of already depleted stocks.

    Published:  13 December, 2011
  • Cod overfishing report could lead to further regulation

    A preliminary assessment by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on research showing that cod remains overfished could lead to further federal fishing regulations.

    Published:  13 December, 2011
  • Fishermen query "dubious science" behind conservation zones

    THE National Federations of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) has questioned what it has described as the dubious science behind the creation of Marine Conservations Zones around the UK coastline.

    Published:  13 December, 2011
  • Ian Gatt

    Provisional quota 'not ideal'

    Commenting on the failure of marathon negotiations at the end of last week to agree an international mackerel fishing deal in talks that included the EU, Norway, Faroe Islands and Iceland.

    Published:  13 December, 2011
  • OCEANA: REFORM OF EU FLEET MANAGEMENT STRONGLY NEEDED TO EFFECTIVELY TACKLE OVERCAPACITY AND REBUILD FISH STOCKS

    Today, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) released their long-awaited analysis of the effectiveness of EU fleet management, which shows the systematic failure of fleet capacity reduction policies.

    Published:  12 December, 2011
  • REPORT CONFIRMS MASSIVE MISUSE OF EU FISHERIES FUNDS

    Billions of euros to promote sustainable fishing are doing the reverse.

    Published:  12 December, 2011
  • Cromer Crab staff braced for job losses

    REDUNDANCY notices are expected to go out this week to some of the staff at the threatened Cromer Crab Company factory in North Norfolk.

    Published:  12 December, 2011
  • Spanish MEPS asked to vote against EU/Morocco agreement

    Fourteen social and environmental organisations have sent a letter to all Spanish MEPs asking them to vote against the renewal of the fisheries agreement between the European Union (EU) and Morocco.

    Published:  12 December, 2011
  • Disappointing mackerel negotiations

    Following yet another unsuccessful attempt to reach an agreement on multilateral management measures for mackerel for 2012, the Minister of Fisheries of the Faroe Islands, Jákup Mikkelsen, expressed his disappointment with the lack of progress in the negotiations.

    Published:  12 December, 2011
  • Mackerel talks

    A third round of negotiations to try and achieve an international mackerel fishing deal for 2012 concluded on Friday, with further negotiations planned to resume in January. The talks included the EU, Norway, Faroe Islands and Iceland.

    Published:  12 December, 2011
  • Greenpeace and Palau bust pirates in Palau shark sanctuary

    Palauan fisheries officials have boarded and detained a Taiwanese fishing vessel suspected of illegal fishing activities during a joint patrol with Greenpeace of the Pacific Island nation’s exclusive economic zone.

    Published:  09 December, 2011
  • UK chefs show unprecedented support for local fishermen

    In its first three months, an incredible 1,358 chefs and 136 UK fishing vessels signed up to Direct Seafood’s Coastal Fish campaign.

    Published:  08 December, 2011
  • HUME CALLS FOR AMNESTY ON PROPOSED EU FISHING REGULATION

    Scottish Liberal Democrat Fisheries spokesperson Jim Hume MSP has questioned the Cabinet Secretary in the Scottish Parliament during a statement on a proposed EU regulation that would drastically affect our fishing fleet.

    Published:  08 December, 2011
  • Commissioner DAMANAKI takes part in Europêche General Assembly

    Ms Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, was guest of honour yesterday, at Europêche’s General Assembly meeting, which was chaired by the Europêche President, Mr Javier Garat.

    Published:  07 December, 2011
  • 'Positive' talks on EU fish quotas

    TALKS between EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki and UK, Scottish and Northern Irish Ministers to discuss quotas and control measures have been described as “very positive.”

    Published:  07 December, 2011
  • Argentina detains foreign fishing boats in new Falklands tension

    ARGENTINA has launched a naval blockade of foreign fishing vessels operating in the South Atlantic in a new bid to put pressure on the Falkland Islands.

    Published:  07 December, 2011
  • UN RENEWS CALL FOR URGENT ACTION TO PROTECT LARGEST BIOSPHERE ON THE PLANET

    The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution on Oceans and Sustainable Fisheries which calls on high seas fishing nations to take stronger actions to protect deep sea life.

    Published:  07 December, 2011
  • Research to improve understanding of Channel scallop fisheries

    A NEW industry-funded PhD research project is underway at Bangor University to help improve understanding of the scallop fishery in the English Channel. 

    Published:  06 December, 2011
  • Prawn boat crew member airlifted to hospital

    A CREW member was airlifted from a prawn boat between The Isle of Rum and Sleat on Monday after he became ill.

    Published:  06 December, 2011
  • Europêche and Copa-Cogeca welcome proposal for new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)

    Europêche and Copa-Cogeca have welcomed with interest the proposal for a new European  Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) which has just been adopted by the Commission, replacing the current European Fisheries Fund (EFF) as well as other instruments over the period 2014-2020".

    Published:  06 December, 2011
  • Young's Seafood Limited: Statement on Cumbrian Seafoods

    Cumbrian Seafoods went into administration earlier today (5 December 2011).

    Published:  05 December, 2011
  • Humber Seafood Institute trains Tesco fish staff

    The Grimsby Institute has teamed up  with Tesco, one of Britain’s largest fish retailers, to provide specialist fishmongering skills aimed at increasing the retailers’ fishmongering offering throughout their stores.

    Published:  05 December, 2011
  • New EU fund to help deliver CFP reform

    THE European Commission has proposed a new fund for the EU's maritime and fisheries policies for the period 2014-2020: the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

    Published:  05 December, 2011
  • LOCHHEAD TAKES CASE FOR SCOTTISH FISHERIES TO BRUSSELS

    Commenting ahead of his meeting in Brussels today with EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki, Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "I am hopeful talks with Commissioner Damanaki will take us closer towards a fairer resolution for Scottish fishermen.

    Published:  05 December, 2011
  • EU-Norway bilateral talks conclude

    Negotiations have concluded on the 2012 bilateral deal between the EU and Norway.

    Published:  05 December, 2011
  • Satisfactory outcome for Scots fishermen at EU/Norway fish talks

    Most of the key objectives were achieved for the Scottish fishing industry following the conclusion on Friday, December 2, of the second round of EU/Norway talks to finalise catching opportunities for shared stocks.

    Published:  05 December, 2011
  • EU and Norwegian pelagic industry on mackerel

    EU and Norwegian fishing industry call on Iceland and Faroe Islands to start acting responsibly on the sharing arrangement for mackerel.

    Published:  02 December, 2011
  • SCOTTISH AND UK GOVERNMENTS MUST SHOW UNITED FRONT ON EC FISHING PROPOSALS: HUME

    Scottish Liberal Democrat Fisheries spokesperson Jim Hume MSP met with Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairson Thursday to discuss the announcement made by the European Commission last week on proposed changes to laws which could cut the numbers days that Scottish skippers can put to sea.

    Published:  02 December, 2011
  • Fishermen trial technology to protect marine habitats

    Trials show that new technology is allowing South West fishermen to continue to fish in their local area while protecting the marine habitats in Lyme Bay, it was revealed today, Thursday.

    Published:  01 December, 2011
  • Third round mackerel talks to take place in Ireland

    THE THIRD round of talks in 2011 between the Coastal States (EU, Norway, Iceland and Faroe Islands) will take place in Clonakilty, Ireland from 5-9 December 2011 with the aim of coming to an agreement on the joint management of the North East Atlantic mackerel stock.

    Published:  01 December, 2011
  • Fisheries vice-president is 'MEP of the Year'

    STRUAN Stevenson, Conservative MEP for Scotland and Senior Vice-President of the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee, scooped recognition as ‘MEP of the Year’ in the fisheries category at last night’s MEP Awards ceremony in Brussels.

    Published:  01 December, 2011
  • All Norwegian cod and haddock certified sustainable by MSC - Pioneering efforts on sustainable fishing pay off

    Norway has a long tradition of managing its fisheries in harmony with nature, and is internationally regarded by many organisations as a world leader in sustainable fisheries management.

    Published:  01 December, 2011
  • Coho Salmon Numbers on the Rise in Sonoma

    Field biologists funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers have counted a record number of coho salmon in the downstream portions of the Russian River system in western Sonoma County, offering a glimmer of hope that recovery of the endangered silver salmon is one day possible.

    Published:  01 December, 2011
  • DAYS AT SEA PROGRESS

    Scottish and UK Fisheries Ministers raise concerns with Commissioner Damanaki.

    Published:  01 December, 2011
  • Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir

    Iceland fisheries minister under fire at home

    ICELAND'S Fisheries Minister Jon Bjarnason is embroiled in a major political row over proposed fishing reforms which could cost him his job or force his resignation.

    Published:  30 November, 2011
  • EU Industry concerned over the upcoming Coastal States mackerel talks in Clonakilty

    From 5-9 December 2011 a new round of talks between the Coastal States (EU, Norway, Iceland and Faroe Islands) will take place in Clonakilty (Ireland) with the aim to come to an agreement on the joint management of the NEA mackerel stock.

    Published:  30 November, 2011
  • FCI certifies three more fisheries against the MSC Sustainable Fishing Standard

    Food Certification International (FCI) has recently certified three more fisheries as being sustainable against the MSC Sustainable Fishing Standard, including the first ever fishery to be certified in the western central Atlantic region.

    Published:  29 November, 2011
  • Norway interest in UK white fish market worries Iceland exporters

    SOME of Iceland's fish exporters appear to be getting worried about Norway's increasing interest in the UK white fish market.

    Published:  29 November, 2011
  • French coastguard translates for Irish rescue

    A CALL from a French fishing vessel to request the medical evacuation of a crew member became more complicated than usual because no-one on board spoke English.

    Published:  28 November, 2011
  • A new era for search & rescue

    Britain is to have a new fleet of faster and more modern search and rescue helicopters, the Government has announced.

    Published:  28 November, 2011
  • Simplify Commons Fisheries Policy, say fishermen

    THERE are growing demands from the fishing industry to simplify the Common Fisheries Policy when it comes up for reform next year.

    Published:  28 November, 2011
  • New Atlantic fishing and maritime strategy unveiled today

    EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki has pledged that she plans to press for stronger maritime growth in the Atlantic when she attends a key conference on the future of the great ocean later today.

    Published:  28 November, 2011
  • Struan Stevenson

    EC days at sea announcement "abrupt and inexplicable", says Scots MEP

    Last week's European Commission announcement of further cuts in the number of days at sea for Scottish whitefish vessels has been described as “abrupt and inexplicable” by a Scottish MEP.

    Published:  28 November, 2011
  • SIMON COVENEY TD, MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE OFFICIALLY OPENS ‘THE NATIONAL SEAFOOD CENTRE’ IN CLONAKILTY

    The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, T.D., has today officially named and formally opened the new National Seafood Centre at Clogheen, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.

    Published:  28 November, 2011
  • Scottish Lib Dems call for urgent clarification over EC fishing propsals

    Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Shetland, Tavish Scott, and Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, George Lyon have called for urgent clarification on the announcement by the European Commission, on proposed changes to laws which could cut the number of days that Scottish skippers can put to sea.

    Published:  28 November, 2011
  • Nations Agree to Protect Giant Manta Rays

    Shark Advocates International is heralding the agreement by Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) to list the giant manta ray (Manta birostris) under CMS Appendix I and II.

    Published:  28 November, 2011
  • CLARIFICATION SOUGHT ON TIME AT SEA FOR SCOTS FISHERMEN

    Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead is seeking urgent clarification from the European Commission over confusing figures published yesterday that indicate Scottish vessels will need to further reduce fishing effort.

    Published:  25 November, 2011
  • Scottish Fishermen’s Federation anger at new EC bid to impose additional cuts in fishing days

    The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has expressed dismay and anger at the news that the EC is set to impose further cuts in the number of days that Scottish whitefish and prawn vessels can put to sea on top of the draconian reductions already proposed for 2012.

    Published:  25 November, 2011
  • Scandanavian fisheries ministers sign agreement prohibiting fish discards

    FISHERIES ministers from Norway, Sweden and Denmark have signed a joint declaration to prohibit discarding of fish in the Skagerrak from 2013.

    Published:  25 November, 2011
  • European fisheries comissioner speaks about discards at Swedish conference

    MARIA Damanaki European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries spoke on the phasing out of discards at the conference "Renewal of the EU Fisheries Policy – minimised by-catch and ban on discards" at the Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences, in Stockholm on Wednesday.

    Published:  25 November, 2011
  • Simon Coveney

    SIMON COVENEY TD, MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE OFFICIALLY OPENS ‘THE NATIONAL SEAFOOD CENTRE’ IN CLONAKILTY

    The Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, T.D., has today officially named and formally opened the new National Seafood Centre at Clogheen, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.

    Published:  25 November, 2011
  • Scottish fears new mackerel talks will rob them of quota

    THE ongoing Iceland mackerel dispute took on a new intensity ahead of a meeting in Aberdeen today between Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead and representatives of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association.

    Published:  25 November, 2011
  • Scots pelagic fishermen to underline new concerns over mackerel to Scottish fisheries minister

    Scottish mackerel fishermen will tell Scots fisheries minister Richard Lochhead at a meeting in Aberdeen tomorrow (25 November) that they are deeply concerned that the European Union is ready to give up a huge share of the Scottish mackerel quota so as to strike a deal with Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

    Published:  24 November, 2011
  • EU: consumers can give preference to sustainable seafood certified by Friend of the Sea and other main labels

    Friend of the Sea is mentioned in an EU recent booklet aimed at raising consumers awareness to support the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

    Published:  24 November, 2011
  • Confident Norway orders more new trawlers

    NORWAY'S fish catching industry has embarked on a major new trawler building programme.

    Published:  24 November, 2011
  • LYON MEETS WITH SCOTTISH FISHING INDUSTRY

    George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, has met with representatives of the Scottish fishing industry to see what more can be done to support fishermen from Brussels.

    Published:  23 November, 2011
  • Simon Coveney

    COVENEY OUTLINES IMPACT OF COMMISSION PROPOSALS FOR THE DECEMBER FISHERIES COUNCIL ON FISH QUOTAS FOR 2012

    Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD today presented to the Dáil a Sustainability Impact Assessment of the EU Commission proposals for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for 2012, representing the first time that such a process has been adopted.

    Published:  23 November, 2011
  • ACTION ON SHARK FINNING WELCOME

    Commission follows Scotland's lead to strengthen ban on "barbaric" shark finning.

    Published:  23 November, 2011
  • Whitby Fishing School - Apprentice of the Year Award

    On Friday 18th November the Whitby & District Fishing Industry Training School held its 9th Annual General Meeting and Apprentice of the Year Award.

    Published:  23 November, 2011
  • Outright ban on shark fishing proposed by EU

    THE EU has finally proposed an outright ban on shark finning, in a move welcomed by European Parliament fisheries committee Vice-President Struan Stevenson MEP, a longstanding campaigner against the practice.

    Published:  23 November, 2011
  • Fishworks serve up a tasty dish for the Mission

    Award winning restaurant group Fishworks have been proud supporters of the Fishermen’s Mission since 2007.

    Published:  22 November, 2011
  • FISHING VESSEL RUNS AGROUND AT ENTRANCE TO ARDGLASS HARBOUR

    The crew of a fishing vessel were rescued from a life raft last night after their fishing vessel ‘Moyuna’ ran aground at the entrance to Ardglass Harbour.

    Published:  22 November, 2011
  • Applications invited for North Sea and Western Waters catch quotas

    APPLICATIONS are invited by the UK Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for new trials of catch quota schemes in the North Sea and in Western Waters for 2012.

    Published:  22 November, 2011
  • Oceana Applauds ICCAT decision to protect vulnerable silky sharks

    Oceana, the largest international advocacy group working to protect the world’s oceans, has applauded the 22nd regular meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) on Friday for establishing new protections for silky sharks, the shark species most vulnerable to overfishing by Atlantic longline fisheries.

    Published:  21 November, 2011
  • Possible use of 'blinders' by Dutch trawler found after joint operation

    AN international cod patrol in the North Sea has discovered the possible use of blinders by a Dutch vessel, according to the EU’s Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA).

    Published:  21 November, 2011
  • Cal Poly Marine Sciences Program Wins Grant to Aid California Fishermen and Fisheries

    Cal Poly’s Center for Coastal Marine Sciences won a scientific competition for a $720,000 state grant to help improve how California manages its near-shore fishing grounds.

    Published:  18 November, 2011
  • Swordfish risks following in the wake of bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean

    For the first time, a key species is ranking high on the agenda of International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) this year, another of the world’s most majestic, most commercially valuable – and most exploited – marine species: the Mediterranean swordfish.

    Published:  18 November, 2011
  • Spanish clam and cockle fisheries to enter into MSC asssessment

    THE Ria de Pontevedra razor clam fishery and the Ria de Arosa clam and cockle fishery have announced tthat they will enter full assessment under the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) certification and eco-labeling programme for sustainable and well-managed fisheries.

    Published:  17 November, 2011
  • Now California and Singapore move to outlaw shark fin soup

    SHARK Fin could  be about to start disappearing from the world's menus following two key decisions to ban shark fin products.

    Published:  17 November, 2011
  • Eilidh Whiteford

    WHITEFORD SPEAKS OUT IN FISHERIES DEBATE

    Speaking during a fisheries debate in the House of Commons yesterday (Tuesday) SNP Westminster Fisheries spokesperson Eilidh Whiteford urged the UK Government to learn from the abject failure of the CFP and prioritise an approach that puts regional management at its heart.

    Published:  16 November, 2011
  • HUNTER AND MORRISON TRUST LAUNCHES WEBSITE

    The Hunter and Morrison Trust is a charity which was established in 1980 to promote the development of the fisheries industries in Shetland for the benefit of the Shetland community, honouring local entrepreneurs, Geordie Hunter and Alex Morrison, both of whom made a significant contribution to Shetland during their lives.

    Published:  15 November, 2011
  • Call for Collaborative Research on California Fisheries

    Collaborative teams of fishermen, resource managers and scientists are invited to apply for funds to conduct applied research on California fisheries during the 2012–2014 biennium.

    Published:  15 November, 2011
  • Institute of Fisheries management welcomes moves to reform Common Fisheries Polic

    The IFM warmly welcomes the content of the proposed reforms to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Common Organisation of the Markets (CMO) in Fishery and Aquaculture Products.

    Published:  15 November, 2011
  • BID TO CUT FISH DISCARDS

    The Scottish Government is seeking support from the EU and Norway to expand its innovative scheme that cuts cod discards while allowing fishermen to land more fish.

    Published:  14 November, 2011
  • Last chance to have say on future of Seafish

    THE fishing and seafood industry's discussion on the long term  future of Seafish this autumn is now nearing completion.

    Published:  14 November, 2011
  • KEY TALKS ON CAP REFORM IN BRUSSELS

    Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead is set for key talks in Brussels with Commissioner Dacian Ciolos and DEFRA Secretary of State Caroline Spelman today, Monday November 14.

    Published:  14 November, 2011
  • CASH BOOST FOR FRASERBURGH HARBOUR

    Harbour development project among the recipients of European Fisheries Fund grants.

    Published:  11 November, 2011
  • Oceana Seeks Protections for Sharks and Swordfish at ICCAT Meeting in Turkey

    Oceana, the largest international advocacy group working solely to protect the world’s oceans, is seeking protections for sharks and swordfish at the 22nd Regular Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), which begins today in Istanbul, Turkey.

    Published:  11 November, 2011
  • Public to have their say on maritime red tape

    Life could be about to get easier for shipping companies, port authorities, ferry operators and those who simply use our seas for pleasure after Shipping Minister Mike Penning began work that could see Maritime red tape slashed.

    Published:  11 November, 2011
  • GIANT FISH SENDS SCOTLAND’S ‘MORE FISH’ MESSAGE TO BRUSSELS

    A giant fish, representing the thousands of people who have signed the WWF Scotland ‘More Fish’ petition was today (Thurs) sent from Holyrood to Brussels, as the European Parliament continues to debate reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

    Published:  10 November, 2011
  • 8th Annual Show - A Sell Out

    Skipper Expo International Galway 2012
    February 24th & 25th, 2012.
    Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway, Ireland

    Published:  10 November, 2011
  • Ireland launches campaign to persuade fishermen to wear lifejackets

    A NEW campaign has been launched to persuade more Irish fishermen to wear their lifejackets while at sea.

    Published:  10 November, 2011
  • SFF underlines that real progress is being made in fish stock recovery

    The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is underlining that good progress is being made in the recovery of fish stocks and that public opinion should not be swayed by “doom mongers” who continually talk down the state of fish stocks by using “worst case statistics”.

    Published:  10 November, 2011
  • WHITEFORD SPEAKS UP FOR FISHING INDUSTRY IN COMMONS EUROPEAN COMMITTEE

    Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has urged the UK Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon to “push CFP negotiations as far as possible”.

    Published:  09 November, 2011
  • Fishermen must become guardians of the seas - EU Commissioner

    EUROPE'S fishermen are bringing back unwanted, discard catches of a quite different kind - and it is damaging the seas and marine life, Maria Damanaki has said.

    Published:  09 November, 2011
  • Japan arrests another Chinese trawler

    JAPAN has arrested another Chinese trawler for alleged illegal fishing, but this time the two countries are playing down the incident.

    Published:  09 November, 2011
  • MINISTER COVENEY CALLS ON OTHER EU MEMBER STATES TO SUPPORT IRISH INDUSTRY EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH DISCARD PROBLEM

    Commenting on the first ever Irish Discards Atlas, which was launched today, Minister Simon Coveney said: “Ireland has now taken the lead in the debate on discards and this Atlas will inform the process to achieve real change and a significant reduction in discarding within the new Common Fisheries Policy”. 

    Published:  08 November, 2011
  • Simon Coveney

    FISH DISCARDS STUDY A POSITIVE MOVE BY IRELAND

    The Federation of Irish Fishermen has welcomed the publication by the Marine Institute (MI) and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) of the "Atlas of Demersal Discarding, An Atlas of Discarding Profiles by the Irish Demersal Fleet with a Toolbox of Mitigation Measures" and its launch today by Minister Simon Coveney.

    Published:  08 November, 2011
  • FISHING VESSEL SKIPPER PLEADS GUILTY

    The skipper of Grimsby-based fishing vessel ‘Karen’, that grounded on rocks at Ardglass, has pleaded guilty to the charge of endangering his ship and crew.

    Published:  08 November, 2011
  • Hugh's Fish Fight wins top documentary award

    HUGH'S Fish Fight, the acclaimed TV series which highlighted the scandal of fish discards, has picked up more top honours.

    Published:  08 November, 2011
  • Guernsey wins control of its own fishing zone

    GUERNSEY has signed a fisheries management agreement (FMA) with the UK Government which means that the Channel island Bailiwick now has control of fishing 12 miles (19km) off its shoreline.

    Published:  08 November, 2011
  • Domestic Fishing Industry asks Congress to Scuttle New Ocean Regulations

    The Seafood Coalition, a broad national coalition of commercial fishing interests, seafood processors, and coastal communities that includes members from every region of the U.S. and accounts for about 85 percent of the fish and shellfish products landed annually in the U.S, is united in opposition to the Administration's new National Oceans Policy regulatory regime.

    Published:  08 November, 2011
  • NFI Crab Council Adopts New Sustainability Policy

    Major companies in the Blue Swimming Crab market continue their sustainability efforts with a new policy that will restrict the purchasing of female crabs bearing eggs or “berried” females.

    Published:  08 November, 2011
  • Trials show fishermen can drastically reduce discards

    The dreadful waste of thousands of tonnes of dead fish being thrown back into the sea every day could be stopped if fishermen are required to count all the fish they catch as part of their quota, pioneering UK trials have shown.

    Published:  07 November, 2011
  • Warmer seas leave salmon emaciated

    High sea temperature severely reduces appetite and growth rates in farmed salmon, according to National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research in Norway.

    Published:  07 November, 2011
  • Fishing vessel suffers engine failure

    TOBERMORY RNLI’s all weather lifeboat launched on Friday evening to assist a fishing vessel with engine failure off the Isle of Coll.

    Published:  07 November, 2011
  • Richard Lochhead

    SFF urges UK and Scottish Governments to fight hard to persuade EC to ditch plans for more cuts in days at sea

    The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is urging the UK and Scottish Governments to do all in their power to persuade the EC to ditch automatic cuts in the number of days that fishing vessels can go to sea next year.

    Published:  07 November, 2011
  • Bertie Armstrong

    Fishing councils "helping to decentralise CFP"

    SAM Lambourn, former president of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, has signed off as chairman of the North West Regional Advisory Council, full of praise for the work of such councils (RACs), saying they were helping to foster international co-operation and decentralise the Common Fisheries Policy.

    Published:  07 November, 2011
  • Arctic weather conditions disrupt Iceland fishing grounds

    AN early sign of wintry conditions has appeared on some of the Icelandic fishing grounds which may not bode well for supplies in the next few weeks. At the moment fewer than 100 of Iceland's vessels are at sea because of the weather.

    Published:  04 November, 2011
  • MCLEOD WELCOMES REOPENING OF SCALLOP FISHERY

    SNP MSP for the South of Scotland Dr Aileen McLeod today (Thursday) welcomed the news that Area VII, which includes the important Irish Sea cockle fishery reopened at midnight last night (Thursday November 3), having been closed for a month.

    Published:  04 November, 2011
  • CORNISH FISHERMEN COULD BE GIVEN POWER TO MANAGE THEIR OWN FISHERY

    The MP for the West Cornwall and Isles of Scilly constituency of St Ives, Andrew George, is urging Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon MP, to give Cornish fishermen the right to manage their own fishing stocks.

    Published:  02 November, 2011
  • FISHERMEN TO JOIN FORCES TO KEEP THEIR COMMUNITIES AFLOAT

    English fishing communities struggling to survive could benefit from a new cooperative scheme to keep England’s inshore fishing fleet afloat.

    Published:  02 November, 2011
  • Mystery yacht found by fishing boat

    Lymington lifeboat volunteers were at sea for five hours last night after a fishing vessel hauled in an unusual catch in its nets off Milford-on-Sea at about 5.30pm: a submerged yacht on the sea bed.

    Published:  02 November, 2011
  • Crackdown on illegal cockling

    THE authorities on the coast of North West England have cracked down on unlicensed cockle fishing after a series of rescues involving people who were risking their lives.

    Published:  02 November, 2011
  • Norway to speed up fleet modernisation

    NORWAY'S Fisheries Minister Lisbeth Berg-Hansen has decided to change the quota arrangements to encourage fishing vessel owners to speed up the modernisation of the fleet.

    Published:  02 November, 2011
  • Lisbeth Berg-Hansen

    Norway a seafood superpower - Minister

    NORWAY must exploit its fishing industry to the full, Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, the country's Fisheries Minister has said.

    Published:  02 November, 2011
  • Major coup for Fishing UK 2012 as Airmar Technology Corporation confirms attendance at show

    For the first time ever at a UK fishing event, fishermen attending the Fishing UK 2012 exhibition in Glasgow, Scotland, will have a unique opportunity to view the innovative range of ultrasonic transducers and sensing technology from Airmar Technology Corporation of the USA. 

    Published:  01 November, 2011
  • Lochhead discusses crucial fisheries issues at key talks.

    In crucial meetings to be held over the next two days the Scottish Fisheries Secretary will call for a pause in cuts to the days at sea allowed to fishermen.

    Published:  01 November, 2011
  • Hundreds flock to view new Iceland fishery protection ship

    HUNDREDS of Icelanders have queued to visit their new symbol of naval power - the new fishery protection cruiser Thor.

    Published:  01 November, 2011
  • Cod management plan under fire again

    THE now '"desperate situation" faced by fishing vessels subject to the EU Cod Management Plan was top of the list at a recent NFFO executive committee meeting in York.

    Published:  01 November, 2011
  • Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program to bring popular fishing vessel refrigeration workshop to Kodiak

    Most Alaska fishermen know that top quality seafood—and top prices for their catch—begins with properly chilling their harvest aboard their vessels while at sea.

    Published:  01 November, 2011
  • Automatic reduction of days at sea must not continue in 2012 – SFF President

    The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is vigorously opposing the automatic reduction in the number of days that fishing vessels can put to sea that is set to come into force in 2012 under European regulations.

    Published:  01 November, 2011
  • Fish with three eyes caught near atom plant

    IT could be the ultimate fish horror story - a three-eyed wolf fish has been caught close to a nuclear power station in Argentina!

    Published:  31 October, 2011
  • Damanaki issues stark warnng on state of global fishing

    EUROPE'S Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki issued a statement at the weekend with a stark warning that the world's seas are in crisis.

    Published:  31 October, 2011
  • 'Discard' fish may be given to poor Damanaki tells Commons

    FISH which once would have been thrown back into the sea because it was over the quota limit may in future be distributed to charities, the Commons was told.

    Published:  28 October, 2011
  • Spanish fish delegation visits Grimsby in trade boost bid

    AN important Spanish fishing delegation arrived in Grimsby yesterday seeking to strengthen trade connections with the port.

    Published:  28 October, 2011
  • Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Foundation offers scholarship programme

    The Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Foundation has announced a new annual investment in a graduate scholarship programme to support talented Masters and PhD candidates who are pursuing lobster research.

    Published:  28 October, 2011
  • New Challenges & Opportunities Facing Marine Fisheries Science

    A conference on new thinking in the science and management of marine fisheries
    Fishmongers’ Hall, London, Monday 31st October 2011, 0900 -1700.

    Published:  28 October, 2011
  • Conad relies on Friend of the Sea to certify its seafood as sustainable

    CONAD, a leading Italian supermarket chain, has chosen to rely on Friend of the Sea, a non-profit organisation, in order to certify its suppliers of farmed sea bass, sea bream, turbot and trout.

    Published:  28 October, 2011
  • Mike Park

    SWFPA calls for Scottish Government to stand firm

    THE Scottish White Fish Producers Association (SWFPA) is calling on the Scottish Government to stand firm against further proposed cuts in the number of days that vessels can go to sea.

    Published:  27 October, 2011
  • Commercial Fishing and Maritime Industries highlighted in 2012

    “The oceans around Africa offer massive potential, from commercial fishing and maritime trade to offshore oil and gas development. Maritime opportunities form the focus of the co-located Fish & Marine Africa 2012 and Oil & Gas Africa 2012 trade exhibitions.

    Published:  27 October, 2011
  • US signals big rise in skate catches

    THE US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has taken emergency action to increase the amount of skate that fishermen can land this year from 31 million to 48 million pounds, - or 15,500 tons to 24,000 tons  - based on new scientific information which shows an increase in the overall skate population.

    Published:  27 October, 2011
  • Tensions in Channel Islands over fishing rights

    THEY are just a few miles apart and share a common culture and a common heritage - but the Channel islands of Jersey and Guernsey look like they could fall out over fishing rights.

    Published:  26 October, 2011
  • Victory! Toronto City Council Passes Shark Fin Ban

    Toronto City councillors have voted to adopt a city-wide shark fin ban, becoming the largest city in Canada to prohibit the sale of shark fin.

    Published:  26 October, 2011
  • "Difficult" Baltic catch rates agreed

    BIG cuts in salmon catches have been agreed among EU member states as they unveiled details of the amount of fish that can be taken from the Baltic Sea next year.

    Published:  25 October, 2011
  • Norway and Russia clash in Arctic fishing dispute

    A POTENTIALLY sharp fishing dispute has flared up between Norway and Russia.

    Published:  24 October, 2011
  • Norway and Russia clash in Arctic fishing dispute

    A POTENTIALLY sharp fishing dispute has flared up between Norway and Russia.

    Published:  24 October, 2011
  • Norway and Russia clash in Arctic fishing dispute

    A POTENTIALLY sharp fishing dispute has flared up between Norway and Russia.

    Published:  24 October, 2011
  • £566,000 boost for key fishing projects

    SEVERAL important fishing projects at ports from Yorkshire and the Humber to Cornwall have been able to go-ahead, thanks to grants totalling £560,000 from the European Fisheries Fund and the Marine Management Organisation during the past five months, it was announced at the weekend.

    Published:  24 October, 2011
  • Mackerel dispute talks go into second week

    TALKS to try to find a solution to the  EU and Norway mackerel dispute with Iceland and the Faroe Islands are going into their second week.

    Published:  24 October, 2011
  • Bertie Armstrong

    ABANDONMENT OF AUTOMATIC QUOTA REDUCTION MECHANISM A TRIUMPH OF COMMONSENSE

    The SFF has welcomed today's announcement by EC Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki in Luxembourg that the Commission intends to ditch the automatic mechanism where quotas are cut by 25 per cent for stocks where there is inadequate data on their status.

    Published:  24 October, 2011
  • John Butterwith

    NFFO South West Committee Elects New Chairman and Vice Chairman

    The NFFO South West Committee elected John Butterwith as its new chairman at its meeting on 19th October, replacing Rob Penfold who stands down after leading the committee for the last three years.

    Published:  24 October, 2011
  • National maritime charity launches Xmas card appeal

    Leading seafaring charity the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has officially launched its annual Christmas Card Appeal with the help of the Mayor of Chichester, Councillor Tony French.

    Published:  24 October, 2011
  • COVENEY MAKES PROGRESS ON QUOTA NEGOTIATIONS AT EU FISHERIES COUNCIL

    The Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, has welcomed the commitment by the EU Fisheries’ Commissioner to rethink her previously stated policy of applying automatic and arbitrary cuts of 25 per cent to a swathe of fish stocks, in the absence of full scientific information.

    Published:  24 October, 2011
  • Ministers meet Irish in Luxembourg.

    Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead said: "This meeting between Scottish, UK and Irish Ministers to discuss the mackerel crisis was very productive and we will work together on this issue as we move forward.

    Published:  24 October, 2011
  • Simon Coveney

    COVENEY SEEKS BRITISH SUPPORT TO PROTECT MACKEREL STOCKS AT EU COUNCIL MEETING

    The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, met on Friday, the UK Fisheries’ Minister, Richard Banyon, who was accompanied by the Scottish and Welsh Fisheries’ Ministers, Richard Lochhead and Alun Davies.

    Published:  24 October, 2011
  • Struan Stevenson

    Key Scots interest raised at high level Morocco fisheries talks in Gibraltar

    Leading figures from the Scottish fishing sector were in Gibraltar yesterday (20 October), making the case for a continuation of the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA).

    Published:  21 October, 2011
  • Fishing company wlecomes blue whiting increase, but disappointed over herring

    HB GRANDI, one of Iceland's largest pelagic fishing companies, has welcomed the large increase in the blue whiting catch quota for next year, but says it is disappointed there is not a larger catch quota for Atlanto-Scandian herring. Iceland itself is to get a 63,477 ton share of that new blue whiting quota.

    Published:  21 October, 2011
  • Seafish awards funding for report on Pacific oysters in the UK

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, has awarded £15,000 from its Industry Project Fund (IPF) to the Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) to produce a report detailing the issues pertaining to Pacific oyster cultivation in the UK.

    Published:  21 October, 2011
  • Abuse claim trawler allowed to leave

    A KOREAN fishing vessel at the centre of crew abuse claims has been allowed to leave New Zealand more than two months after she was arrested.

    Published:  20 October, 2011
  • Celebrities back ‘Celebrations of the Sea’ unique exhibition

    The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, one of the oldest charities providing financial support to former seafarers, is officially launching its ‘Celebrations of the Sea’ exhibition at Brighton Sea Life Centre today (20 October), marking the world’s first photography exhibition underwater.

    Published:  20 October, 2011
  • Icelandic catches for September increase year on year

    THE total catch of Icelandic vessels last month was 105,755 tonnes compared to 93,764 tonnes in September 2010.

    Published:  19 October, 2011
  • Arctic warming will affect everyone - Fisheries Commissioner

    EUROPEAN Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki has told a Norwegian fishing audience that what is happening in the Arctic will have serious consequences for the European Union and the rest of the world.

    Published:  19 October, 2011
  • MACKEREL TALKS FOR 2012 UNDERWAY

    Negotiations to seek international agreement on mackerel fishing.

    Published:  19 October, 2011
  • New talks in London to find resolution to mackerel dispute

    The first phase of a new round of talks to try and break the deadlock over mackerel catching opportunities in the north-east Atlantic will begin in London tomorrow (19 October).

    Published:  18 October, 2011
  • Damanaki turns focus on Black Sea fishing

    EUROPEAN Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki is attempting to persuade countries bordering the Black Sea to introduce EU style fishing regulations and controls.

    Published:  18 October, 2011
  • Borwn crab guidance launched by BIM

    BIM, the Irish Sea Fisheries Board, has launched a new guide on brown crab handling and quality.

    Published:  18 October, 2011
  • NWPG outlines its position on mackerel talks

    On Wednesday 19 October 2011 the coastal states of EU, Norway, Faroe Islands and Iceland will resume their negotiations on a future arrangement to manage the North East Atlantic mackerel stock.

    Published:  18 October, 2011
  • Jos Standerwick Joins Seafarers UK

    Seafarers UK welcomes Jos Standerwick in new corporate role.

    Published:  17 October, 2011
  • Landmark fishing industry discussions will take place in Edinburgh to shape the future of Seafish

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, has announced that it will be supporting the four Fisheries Administrations in landmark open discussions about the future of Seafish, to run during autumn 2011.

    Published:  17 October, 2011
  • Race to save the salmon

    At the ‘Salmon Summit’ in La Rochelle, French scientists confirmed that wild Atlantic salmon were dying at sea in alarming numbers.  Southern stocks, including some in North America and Europe, are threatened with extinction.

    Published:  17 October, 2011
  • Fishing fears over New Zealand oil spill

    FISHERMEN in the Tauranga area of New Zealand are anxiously watching  the effects of an oil spill from a stranded container ship which ran aground on a reef in the area a week ago.

    Published:  14 October, 2011
  • Researchers at NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Kodiak examine red king crab cannibalism

    Red king crabs are highly cannibalistic, which is a problem for mass culture and may reduce post-release survival.

    Published:  13 October, 2011
  • Tough questions for European Commission test legal waters of CFP reform

    Struan Stevenson MEP, in his capacity as a rapporteur on a key legislative part of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), has submitted a series of written questions to the European Commission’s Legal Services department, seeking clarity on crucial aspects of the reforms.

    Published:  13 October, 2011
  • Barents Sea 2012 cod quota set at bumper 751,000 tons

    NORWAY and Russian have agreed new fishing catch limits  for the Barents Sea for next year - and the quota for cod for the two countries is a massive 751,000 tons- an increase of eight per cent.

    Published:  13 October, 2011
  • Gas prices too high to be used as trawler fuel, say owners

    FISHING companies in Norway have been looking at the possibility of using natural gas as a fuel for their trawlers.

    Published:  13 October, 2011
  • Pair fishing gives herring fishing a boost

    WITH the herring fishing season under way, Icelandic skippers have been reporting that pair trawling has become the most efficient method of catching.

    Published:  13 October, 2011
  • Seafish launches campaign to "net" mothers

    SEAFISH has unveiled a new campaign called ‘Fish is the Dish’ which specifically targets mothers  and makes optimum use of cost-effective digital marketing techniques.

    Published:  12 October, 2011
  • EU cod plan faces new criticisms

    PLANS to shape the future of the European Union cod management plan have come under fire.

    Published:  12 October, 2011
  • More Senegal pole and line tuna fleets become Friend of the Sea

    The number of Friend of the Sea’s certified pole and line tuna fisheries is increasing worldwide.

    Published:  12 October, 2011
  • South west fishermen to discuss several key issues

    THE important South-west committee of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations meets in Exeter later this month with a number of pressing issues on its agenda.

    Published:  11 October, 2011
  • Damanaki on whirlwind fish message tour of Europe

    EUROPEAN Fisheries Minister Maria Damanaki has this week started on a hectic round of meetings and visits to sell her Common Fisheries Policy reform message.

    Published:  11 October, 2011
  • Proposed tenfold increase in blue whiting quota

    NORWEGIAN fishing leaders have welcomed recommendations for  near tenfold increase in the blue whiting quota announced for next year.

    Published:  10 October, 2011
  • More calls for Iceland to scrap quota change bill

    PRESSURE is growing on the Icelandic Government to take another look at its controversial plans to reform its country's fishing quota structure.

    Published:  10 October, 2011
  • Fishermen saved in "textbook rescue operation"

    SIX fishermen were this weekend breathing a sigh of relief after being snatched to safety in what was a textbook rescue operation  from their sinking vessel off the North West Coast of Ireland.

    Published:  10 October, 2011
  • Seafish invites industry to demonstration day at Brixham to find out how innovative inshore Vessel Monitoring System technology works

    Seafish has organised a free demonstration day to illustrate the operation of the new Seafish Succorfish global vessel tracking technology.

    Published:  07 October, 2011
  • SHIPWRECKED MARINERS' SOCIETY LAUNCHES WORLD'S FIRST PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION UNDERWATER

    Celebrities Back ‘Celebrations of the Sea’ As Unique Exhibition of Underwater Images is Unveiled.

    Published:  07 October, 2011
  • Gladstone Harbour

    Mystery skin disease hits Australian fishermen

    It has been one of Australia's more bizarre fishing stories in recent weeks - reports of diseased fish and  fishermen breaking out in boils and lesions.

    Published:  07 October, 2011
  • Scottish Minister announces multi-million pound boost for fishing communities

    Scotland is about to enter a crunch and potentially historic year for its fishing industry, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said yesterday, Thursday.

    Published:  07 October, 2011
  • Struan Stevenson

    Major CFP reform report to be written by Scots Euro MP

    The European Parliament's Fisheries Committee has confirmed the appointment of Scottish Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson as its rapporteur or draftsman on one of the three main legislative reports of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform package.

    Published:  07 October, 2011
  • Scottish fishing industry will remain at forefront of developing new initiatives to ensure a sustainable future for our fisheries

    The Scottish fishing industry is keen to further develop its already strong relationships with marine scientists to ensure that there is as much data as possible about the health of our fish stocks so as to ensure the implementation of effective management plans to ensure a sustainable future.

    Published:  07 October, 2011
  • Seafish kicks off new programme of industry Data Workshops

    On September 28th, Seafish held the first of a new series of market data workshops for industry.

    Published:  06 October, 2011
  • Faroese complete mackerel quota amid new calls for sanctions

    THE Faroe Islands has closed its controversial mackerel fishery for this year after taking more than 120,000 tons - much to the anger of Scottish fishermen. Iceland also completed its self-declared quota last month.

    Published:  05 October, 2011
  • Malliag Harbour has bumper year

    MALLAIG Harbour, on Scotland’s west coast, has had a bumper year for shellfish catches, with provisional figures showing the total raised has increased by half a million pounds on last year.

    Published:  05 October, 2011
  • Researchers Gather in France for "The Salmon Summit"

    The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) will join 130 salmon scientists and managers from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean in La Rochelle, France from October 11 to 13.

    Published:  05 October, 2011
  • NFFO draws up shellfish poilicy

    THE UK's National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations Shellfish Committee has just adopted a defined policy on the crab and lobster fisheries, following a recent meeting in Derby attended by a wide range of port representatives.

    Published:  04 October, 2011
  • Italy warned over use of drift nets

    The European Commission has called on Italy to take measures and comply with a two-year-old  Court of Justice ruling on Italy's continued illegal use of drift-nets.

    Published:  04 October, 2011
  • EU aid encouraging illegal fishing, say conservation groups

    THE way European fishing aid is doled out to various countries and companies has come under a twin-pronged attack from two leading environmental groups.

    Published:  04 October, 2011
  • Alex Seafood (PVT) Ltd hooks Friend Of The Sea certification for Sri Lankan tuna and swordfish

    Alex Seafood (PVT) Ltd yellowfin tuna and swordfish have been certified Friend of the Sea.

    Published:  04 October, 2011
  • Fishermen will earn more after reforms - Damanaki

    EUROPE'S Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki has delivered an impassioned plea outlining why changes to the Common Fisheries Policy are so vital.

    Published:  03 October, 2011
  • Alert for killer shrimp in Humber region

    THE "killer" shrimp could be on its way to the Humber - close to the centre of Britain's seafood processing industry.

    Published:  03 October, 2011
  • Campaign to save Cromer Crab Co under way

    A MAJOR campaign has been launched to save the iconic Cromer Crab Company plant in North Norfolk from closure.

    Published:  03 October, 2011
  • ANNUAL UK FISHING INDUSTRY REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY

    The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) publishes its annual UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 2010 report today, which shows an increase in both the quantity and value of fish landed by the UK fleet.

    Published:  29 September, 2011
  • N.Ireland fishermen warn EU plan could leave fleet unviable

    OPPOSITION is rapidly mounting in parts of  the UK  to the European Commission's fish catch proposals for next year - with some of the biggest fears being expressed by Northern Ireland fishermen.

    Published:  29 September, 2011
  • South East voice on fish protection zones "must be heard"

    THE fishing industry in South East England must prepare itself for a dialogue with fisheries managers at individual site level on marine protection zones.

    Published:  28 September, 2011
  • A policy fit for the future, says Damanaki

    EUROPE'S Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki, yesterday described new EU proposals on fish stocks in the North Sea and Atlantic as "a reform to deliver a fisheries policy fit for the future".

    Published:  28 September, 2011
  • SNP disappointed at fish quota proposals

    Scottish National Party President Ian Hudghton MEP has criticised the European Commission's proposals for fishing quotas for 2012.

    Published:  28 September, 2011
  • FISH QUOTAS LACK CONSISTENCY

    Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead has criticised the European Commission for proposing a 'meagre' increase in West Coast haddock fishing quotas, which will lead to an increase in discards due to proposals being far lower than advised by scientists.

    Published:  27 September, 2011
  • Offshore platforms could be hot spot of fish abundance

    Oil and gas platforms could be serving as beneficial habitats for commercially important fish populations such as cod and haddock, a marine ecologist will report today (Tuesday, September 27) at a major conference in Aberdeen.

    Published:  27 September, 2011
  • Danes fight piracy through fishing project

    A GROUP of Danes are hoping they can persuade Somali pirates to abandon their hi-jacking of ships off the Horn of Africa by making them take up fishing instead.

    Published:  27 September, 2011
  • Russia and Vietnam seek co-operation with Iceland on fishing

    VIETNAM and Russia have become the two latest countries to seek closer co-operation with Iceland - and its fishing expertise.

    Published:  27 September, 2011
  • CREW OF FISHING VESSEL RESCUED FOLLOWING EPIRB ALERT

    The safety equipment carried on fishing vessel ‘Islander’ proved its worth yestrday evening, Monday September 26, after it was used to alert rescue services after the vessel capsized in rough weather.

    Published:  27 September, 2011
  • LOCHHEAD: UK MINISTER SHOULD VISIT VITAL SERVICE

    Decisions must be made on safety, not cost-cutting grounds.

    Published:  27 September, 2011
  • Seafish announces dates for discussions with UK fishing industry

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, has announced autumn dates for landmark discussions about the future of Seafish, in support of the four Fisheries Administrations.

    Published:  27 September, 2011
  • Longline fisheries continue to drive albatross declines

    Research being presented at the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity in Aberdeen tomorrow (27 September 2011) will report a global estimate of the impact of longline fisheries on seabirds and reveals that, despite efforts to reduce seabird deaths, upwards of 300,000 birds are still being killed every year.

    Published:  26 September, 2011
  • Lisbeth Berg-Hansen

    Norway to undertake major review of fishing industry

    THE Norwegian Government is due to work on plans to undertake a wide ranging strategic review of its fishing and aquaculture policy.

    Published:  26 September, 2011
  • NAFO Performing Well

    An independent review by an international panel of experts assessed the performance of Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) and their findings and recommendations were presented at NAFO Annual Meeting in Halifax, Canada, last week.

    Published:  26 September, 2011
  • Strong interim plan for rebuilding cod adopted at NAFO

    The annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada saw the adoption of an interim plan tabled by Canada for cod recovery on the Grand Banks. This plan, promoted by WWF, is a step towards recovery of this depleted fishery.

    Published:  26 September, 2011
  • All the winners of the 2011 Icelandic Fisheries Awards

    Icelandic Fisheries Awards Winners 2011

    The 2011 Icelandic Fisheries Awards were presented at a reception last night (22 September 2011) hosted by the Icelandic Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Jón Bjarnason and the Mayor of Kópavogur, Guđrun Pálsdóttir.

    Published:  26 September, 2011
  • Marianne Rasmussen-Coulling, Guðrún Pálsdóttir, Mayor of Kópavogur and Jón Bjarnason

    Icefish opens for the tenth time

    The Icelandic Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Jón Bjarnason, formally opened the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition in Smárinn, Kópavogur on Thursday, 22 September 2011.

    Published:  26 September, 2011
  • Historic Visit by Two EU Commissioners to Marine Institute in Galway

    An historic event took place at the Marine Institute in Galway on Friday 23rd September when two EU Commissioners - Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn and Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki -  visited the facility to discuss key policy areas and priorities in marine science and innovation.

    Published:  26 September, 2011
  • South West hosts international marine workshop

    An international gathering of marine scientists, MPA managers, conservationists, fishermen and anglers begins in Devon today (Monday 26th September 2011) with the aim of improving the way we protect our seas.

    Published:  26 September, 2011
  • ASFB welcomes continuing restraint of anglers in 2010’s record rod catch of salmon

    The Association of Salmon Fishery Boards (ASFB) has welcomed today’s publication by Scottish Government of the official 2010 catch statistics for salmon, confirming that the rod catch for 2010 was the highest since consistent records began in 1952.

    Published:  23 September, 2011
  • Photo: Crown Copyright

    Seafish awards IPF funding to Cefas for mollusc purification trials

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, has awarded £23,750 from its Industry Project Fund (IPF) to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) for trials on the purification of oysters to identify ways of reducing the norovirus content of live bivalve molluscs.

    Published:  23 September, 2011
  • FINAL SALMON AND SEA TROUT FISHERY STATISTICS 2010 SEASON

    Scotland's Chief Statistician today published the salmon and sea trout fishery statistics for the 2010 season http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/Publications/stats/SalmonSeaTroutCatches

    Published:  23 September, 2011
  • Greenpeace calls for reduction of Taiwanese tuna fishing fleet in the Pacific

    Greenpeace has today urged the Taiwanese government to reduce its tuna fishing fleet in the Pacific, after activists on board the Greenpeace ship Esperanza witnessed Taiwanese-owned ship Li Chyun No. 2 hauling a shark on board, one of many non-target species also caught with destructive tuna fishing methods.

    Published:  23 September, 2011
  • Maria Damanaki

    MEP Gallagher meets Fisheries Commissioner in Dublin & demands radical changes to CFP proposals

    Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP  met yesterday with the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Maria Damanaki in Dublin.

    Published:  23 September, 2011
  • Scotland welcomes major boost for fishermen thanks to langoustine deal with Sainsbury's

    Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead MSP and Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, have today welcomed the move from Sainsbury's to source freshly caught langoustines from fishermen off the West Coast of Scotland.

    Published:  23 September, 2011
  • Sculptor to work on newfishing memorial

    THE Icelandic sculptor who designed the stolen fishing memorial in Hull has now offered to help with an identical replacement.

    Published:  23 September, 2011
  • COMMON FISHERIES POLICY REFORM DEBATE – WWF Scotland sets out priorities

    As the Scottish Parliament prepares to debate the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) today (Thursday) WWF Scotland urges MSPs to commit to supporting reform that is ambitious and progressive.

    Published:  22 September, 2011
  • Lochhead urges Europe to ensure Common Fisheries Policy reform delivers results

    Europe must not squander this opportunity to reform the ‘disastrous’ Common Fisheries Policy and ensure the industry can look forward to a prosperous future, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead has said.

    Published:  22 September, 2011
  • Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition Opens tomorrow!

    The 10th Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition has been formally opened today, 22 September, in Smárinn, Kópavogur, Iceland.  More than 500 exhibitors from 34 countries are taking part in the exhibition, a similar number to the last exhibition in 2008.

    Published:  22 September, 2011
  • Simon Coveney

    COVENEY WELCOMES COMMISSIONER DAMANAKI’S TWO DAY VISIT TO IRELAND

    Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has welcomed the two-day visit to Ireland of Maria Damanaki,  the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

    Published:  22 September, 2011
  • Rockall haddock management agreement welcomed

    The Scottish White Fish Producers Association (SWFPA) has issued a statement welcoming the successful conclusion of bilateral discussions between the EU and Russia in Moscow on the management of Rockall haddock.

    Published:  21 September, 2011
  • Queenie Management Board Introduces Voluntary Tie Up Scheme

    The Isle of Man Queenie Management Board yesterday confirmed that member-vessels had agreed to a voluntary Tie-Up Scheme, across the whole of the Irish Sea, to safeguard the Queenie Stock, which was facing unprecedented levels of fishing effort.

    Published:  20 September, 2011
  • The great shellfish debate is about to begin

    BRITAIN'S shell fishermen now look almost certain to face a cap on their fishing activities within the next couple of years, but at the moment they don't know precisely what form it will take.

    Published:  20 September, 2011
  • Fish discards research supported by Scottish Fishermen’s Trust

    Scots fishermen have been spearheading a range of initiatives to reduce the problem of discarding of fish at sea - including the use of more selective types of nets and real time fishing closures.

    Published:  19 September, 2011
  • Warming waters are shifting northeast Atlantic fish stocks

    Northeast Atlantic Ocean fish stocks are already shifting due to warming waters, harming some fish stocks but benefiting others, according to research published in Current Biology.

    Published:  19 September, 2011
  • Damanaki in Ireland for CFP reform talks

    FRESH  from her successful US tour European Union Fisheries Commissioner is flying to Ireland this week to discuss issues surrounding proposal to reform the Common Fisheries Policy.

    Published:  19 September, 2011
  • Maria Damanaki

    Fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea 2012

    THE European Commission has tabled its proposal on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2012.

    Published:  19 September, 2011
  • A RETURN to the sea can generate new jobs for young people and ensure Europe's food security through fish, European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki told an American audience.

    A RETURN to the sea can generate new jobs for young people and ensure Europe's food security through fish, European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki told an American audience.

    Published:  16 September, 2011
  • WWF Recommends Finalization of Cod Conservation Plan at Upcoming NAFO Annula meeting

    World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says it will be attending the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization’s (NAFO) annual meeting being held in Halifax, Nova Scotia from September 19-23, this year to call for more action on cod recovery and protection for vulnerable marine ecosystems.

    Published:  16 September, 2011
  • New SC2 VMS launched to improve commercial fishing industry

    A new, hi-tech global tracking device that could revolutionise the way the commercial fishing industry operates is to be officially launched following a series of successful trials across the South West of England.

    Published:  15 September, 2011
  • Jim Hume MSP

    HUME RAISES ISSUE OF FISH DISCARDS

    Scottish Liberal Democrat Fisheries spokesperson Jim Hume MSP has raised the important issue of fish discards at the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee (14/09/11).

    Published:  15 September, 2011
  • FISHING CATCH VALUE REMAINS HIGH

    Over £430 million worth of fish was landed in Scotland last year, according to the latest statistics which are published today.

    Published:  15 September, 2011
  • NEW FIRST AID TRAINING COURSE WILL IMPROVE MEDICAL CARE FOR FISHERMEN AFTER ACCIDENTS AT SEA

    A ‘training the trainers’ day using the Sea Fish Industry Authority’s new First Aid at Sea course has been held in Aberdeen.

    Published:  15 September, 2011
  • John West commits to pole and line caught tuna

    JOHN West, whose tinned salmon has been a familiar sight on Sunday tea tables for decades, is this month rolling out a new range of pole and line sourced tuna products as part of its sustainability drive.

    Published:  15 September, 2011
  • Call to end most commercial deep sea fishing

    A TEAM of leading marine scientists from around the world is recommending an end to most commercial fishing in the deep sea, the Earth’s largest ecosystem. Instead, they recommend fishing in more productive waters nearer to consumers.

    Published:  15 September, 2011
  • Andrew Duff MEP

    ANDREW DUFF MEP WANTS CONTROVERSIAL EU-MOROCCO FISH PACT TO GO TO EUROPEAN COURT

    UK Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff  and at least one-tenth of the whole European Parliament have tabled a resolution to refer the controversial EU - Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement to the European Court of Justice for an opinion on its legality under the EU Treaties and international law.

    Published:  14 September, 2011
  • Fishing industry "aiding Iceland econmic recovery"

    A DETAILED new report on the state of Iceland's economy says it is well placed for recovery due in large part to the country's fishing assets.

    Published:  14 September, 2011
  • Andrew George MP

    FISHERMEN PLEASED WITH GOOD PROGRESS AT MEETING WITH MINISTER

    Fishermen from West Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly who met Government Minister, Richard Benyon MP, at Defra headquarters today said that they were pleased with the outcome.

    Published:  14 September, 2011
  • DIRECT SEAFOODS LAUNCHES COASTAL FISH CAMPAIGN TO BRITAIN’S TOP CHEFS

    Direct Seafoods, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bidvest Group, today launched the “Coastal Fish” campaign to help Britain’s troubled local fishermen and save endangered fish stocks. The campaign will encourage the UK’s top chefs and the British public to try many types of fish, some of which may be new to them.

    Published:  13 September, 2011
  • Oceana is calling for an immediate stop of all capacity enhancing fishing subsidies

    Oceana has published a report on what it says are the true amount of subsidies provided to the fishing sector by the European Union (EU) and its Member States.

    Published:  13 September, 2011
  • Exhibitors sign up to Fishing UK 2012 in Glasgow as exciting plans for 25th anniversary event are unveiled

    Plans for Fishing UK 2012 25th anniversary unveiled.

    Published:  13 September, 2011
  • COVE FISHERMEN PRESS MINISTER ON COMMONSENSE POLICY

    A delegation of cove fishermen from West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will meeting Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon MP, in Westminster today, Tuesday 13th September 2011 at 1.15 pm, to urge the Minister not to go ahead with damaging policy changes.

    Published:  13 September, 2011
  • Reeds Fishermen¹s Almanac and Fishing Industry Handbook

    The first and only Almanac specifically produced for commercial fishermen, the Reeds Fishermen's Almanac provides fishing vessel owners, skippers and crew with a dedicated fishing-oriented almanac.

    Published:  12 September, 2011
  • TASTE OF SUCCESS FOR ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY

    Key role of fish 'taste tests' following North Sea oil leak.

    Published:  12 September, 2011
  • New websites for Scottish freshwater fisheries

    The Association of Salmon Fishery Boards (ASFB) and Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS) have today launched new, updated websites: www.asfb.org.uk and www.rafts.org.uk.

    Published:  12 September, 2011
  • Maria Damanaki

    US and EU sign joint deal to combat illegal fishing

    THE United States and Europe have signed a joint agreement to clamp down on illegal and unregulated fishing.

    Published:  12 September, 2011
  • Do not ignore social changes, Seafish researcher tells conference

    THE seafood industry should not ignore social changes because they often had an impact on its future, Angus Garratt from Seafish told the Humber Seafood Conference.

    Published:  12 September, 2011
  • Fishing coalition raises concerns over protection zone sites

    THE Marine Protection Area Fishing Coalition has expressed serious reservations about the site selection for the marine coastal zones announced last week.

    Published:  12 September, 2011
  • Greenpeace activists call for marine reserves to protect Pacific tuna

    Activists from the Greenpeace ship Esperanza have called for Pacific Ocean marine reserves to help protect tuna stocks by protesting alongside and aboard a Taiwanese tuna boat fishing in international waters between French Polynesia and the Cook Islands.

    Published:  12 September, 2011
  • Scottish Skipper Expo, Aberdeen re-branded

    Hugh Bonner MD of Mara Media has stated that after considering feedback from exhibitors and visitors to the inaugral “Scottish Skipper Expo  2011” show, it has been decided to evolve the exhibition to make it more of an international event, while maintaining the superb location, AECC Aberdeen.

    Published:  12 September, 2011
  • New online survey for fishermen

    THE National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations say their new online survey system will open a new era for fishermen’s knowledge.

    Published:  09 September, 2011
  • Lough Neagh Eels first to win EU protection

    Northern Ireland’s Lough Neagh eels have become the region’s first food to win EU protected legal status against imitators.

    Published:  09 September, 2011
  • Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) Project announcement

    Conservation for the UK’s marine environment took a big step forward yeerstday [Thursday 8th September] as the four regional groups of sea users that form the ‘Marine Conservation Zone Project’ published their final recommendations for new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs).

    Published:  09 September, 2011
  • FUTURE OF FISH STOCKS HIGH ON AGENDA

    Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead held a productive meeting yesterday with members of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association, to discuss the continuing situation of the mackerel stock being overfished by the Faroe Islands and Iceland.

    Published:  09 September, 2011
  • Framework conference to develop rights to fish tuna

    EXPERTS from around the world are in Spain this week to further develop the framework for nations to fairly allocate rights to fish for tuna, which swim through national and international waters.

    Published:  08 September, 2011
  • FISH ANALYSIS AFTER NORTH SEA OIL LEAK

    Following the oil leak at Shell's Gannet platform in the North Sea last month, Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead will on Monday (September 12) meet with the marine scientists carrying out analysis to assess the impact of hydrocarbons on fish in the vicinity of the spill.

    Published:  08 September, 2011
  • Value of US fishing landings for 2010

    NOAA Fisheries has released its Fisheries of the United States 2010 report.

    Published:  08 September, 2011
  • Fishing areas included in new protection zones

    THOUSANDS of square miles of fishing and sea area have been listed by the government to be protected in new marine conservation zones.

    Published:  08 September, 2011
  • Maria Damanaki flies to US to seek closer fishing co-operation

    EUROPE'S Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki has set off for the United States to seek greater trans-Atlantic co-operation on a number of key  fishing and maritime issues.

    Published:  07 September, 2011
  • Fishing People of the North symposium to discuss social, environmental change

    Coastal fishing communities throughout the circumpolar north are in the midst of rapid social and environmental change.

    Published:  07 September, 2011
  • Seafish invites applications for new round of Industry Project Funding

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, has today announced that its Industry Project Fund (SIPF), worth up to £1 million, is once again open for new applications from those with innovative ideas benefiting the seafood industry.

    Published:  07 September, 2011
  • FISHING VESSEL RAN AGROUND OFF THE ISLAND OF STROMMA

    A 19-metre fishing vessel ran aground off the Island of Stromma in the Pentland Firth early this morning, with five crew aboard.

    Published:  07 September, 2011
  • Friend of the Sea sustainable tuna now traded in Spain by Comercial Pernas S.L.

    Comercial Pernas S.L. is now trading Yellowfin and albacore tuna from approved Friend of the Sea vessels.

    Published:  07 September, 2011
  • Invitation to the Friend of the Sea Day Netherlands 30th September 2011

    International certification scheme for sustainable fishing and aquaculture products.

    Published:  06 September, 2011
  • Federation gears up for busy autumn

    THE ever-vigilant National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations is gearing up for an extremely busy autumn on a number of important issues affecting its members.

    Published:  06 September, 2011
  • Mission Council visits North-East Scotland

    For only the second time in the Mission’s 130-year long history, the Mission Council, the Charity’s governing body, held a Council meeting in Scotland on Thursday 1st September.

    Published:  05 September, 2011
  • White fish prices excellent in Scottish fishing sector

    WHITE fish prices are excellent, herring returns have been “astonishing” and prospects for the newly open mackerel fishery are very encouraging.

    Published:  05 September, 2011
  • Industry invited to join a discussion on shaping the future of Seafish

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, has announced that it will be supporting Defra and the Devolved Fisheries Administrations in an open discussion about the future of Seafish, to run during autumn 2011.

    Published:  02 September, 2011
  • EC one-day event on fish stocks

    THE European Commission will host their one-day seminar on the state of fish stocks in European waters on September 8.

    Published:  02 September, 2011
  • Iceland says mackerel fishing coming to a close

    ICELAND'S trawler companies are coming to the end of their controversial mackerel season. They have been given a quota of around 146,000 tonnes this year which has caused anger in Norway and among some EU countries which claim that such high catches are damaging the stock.

    Published:  01 September, 2011
  • Norway trawler chief delivers strong attack on Iceland and Faroes

    A SENIOR figure in the Norwegian Fishing Vessel Owners Association has criticised Iceland and the Faroe Islands over its mackerel policy, describing it as pirate fishing.

    Published:  01 September, 2011
  • SCIENCE AND DESIGN COLLABORATION

    New link up sees design students work alongside marine scientists.

    Published:  31 August, 2011
  • Icelandic fleet lands fewer fish but value increases

    OFFICIAL figures show that the Icelandic fleet landed significantly less fish last year, although overall value rose.

    Published:  31 August, 2011
  • Cod plan rocked by 12 words - NFFO

    THE National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has said that twelve words have rocked the foundations of the EU Cod Management Plan and have undermined the whole basis of the EU’s strategy for rebuilding the cod stocks in the North Sea, Irish Sea and West of Scotland.

    Published:  31 August, 2011
  • SFF hosts visit of Scottish Parliament Information Centre

    The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is to host a visit to Peterhead of the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICE) tomorrow (31 August) to enhance their understanding of the key issues facing the fishing industry.

    Published:  30 August, 2011
  • Iceland trawlers owners in new plea over quota reform

    ICELAND'S fishing vessel owners, with the support of other business organisations, have made a strong appeal to the government to think again about plans to reform the country's fishing quota system.

    Published:  30 August, 2011
  • Seafood Industry Defends Sustainability of Canned Tuna

    Greenpeace has launched an international effort to bully grocery stores over sustainability, this time targeting canned tuna.

    Published:  29 August, 2011
  • Funding for fisheries students from Scottish Fishermen’s Trust

    A Scots fishing charity is once again helping fund the fisheries managers and marine scientists of tomorrow.

    Published:  29 August, 2011
  • Iceland firm says most mackerel caught for human consumption

    HB Grandi, one of Iceland's main pelagic fishing companies, has said most of the mackerel it is catching and processing is now going for human consumption and not for fish meal or oil as has been the case in the past.

    Published:  29 August, 2011
  • Man dies on fishing boat after being overcome by fumes

    A 37-year-old man died on Thursday after becoming unwell on board a fishing vessel in the North Sea.

    Published:  29 August, 2011
  • INCREASE OF QUANTITY AND VALUE OF FISH LANDED BY UK FLEET

    New statistics published today by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) show an increase in the quantity and value of fish landed by the UK fleet in 2010 compared with 2009.

    Published:  25 August, 2011
  • Badly fitted fan heater major cause of fishing deaths - inquiry

    AN ordinary fan heater, but badly fitted, was the major contributor to the deaths of three fishermen in Fraserburgh Harbour, Scotland, almost exactly three years ago, an official inquiry has found.

    Published:  25 August, 2011
  • New Zealand launches inquiry into mis-treatment of fishing crews

    NEW Zealand is to hold an official inquiry into the mis-treatment of fishing crews on foreign-owned vessels operating around its shores.

    Published:  25 August, 2011
  • Hull leader pledges to replace stolen fishing statue

    A BRONZE statue commemorating the memory of thousands of Hull fishermen who were lost at sea during the past 100 years, which was stolen a month ago, will be replaced next year, the city has pledged.

    Published:  25 August, 2011
  • Hake study finds sea warming helps population growth

    Despite the reduction in the hake biomass over the years due to fishing, the larvae survival rate grew aided by sea warming. This is one of the main findings of an investigation by Nerea Goikoetxea, from the fishing laboratory Azti-Tecnalia.

    Published:  24 August, 2011
  • Aberdeen Council looks to EU for fisheries funding

    ABERDEEN councillors have given their backing to work to try to draw down cash from the £4.5 million European Fisheries Fund’s Axis 4 resource.

    Published:  24 August, 2011
  • "Friendly" exchange of views on mackerel dispute

    EXPLORATORY talks between officials from Iceland, Norway and the European Union have been held to try to find a solution to the ongoing mackerel dispute.

    Published:  24 August, 2011
  • Iceland halts catching of fin whales

    ICELAND has said that no fin whales will be caught around its shores this year, blaming the collapse of the Japanese whalemeat market following the devastating earthquake over four months ago.

    Published:  24 August, 2011
  • Bridlington fishermen to get their own health advisor

    THE growing fishing community in  Bridlington on the East Yorkshire Coast are get get their own health trainer to help steer them back to a more healthy lifestyle.

    Published:  23 August, 2011
  • Scottish seas in good shape, say scientists

    A NEW study by scientists has established that the waters around Scotland are in good condition and should be able to survive the rising levels of carbon dioxide which are causing serious problems in other parts of the world.

    Published:  23 August, 2011
  • Grand Design for Scottish Oysters

    A major international conference gets underway this week in Stirling. From 23rd to 27th August experts from all over the world will debate current thinking around the future of shellfish – a resource that has been under appreciated for too long – and particularly what can be done to restore Scottish oyster populations in the Forth.

    Published:  22 August, 2011
  • GOOD AND BAD NEWS ON BALTIC FISH STOCKS
    THERE is mixed news from an international fishing watchdog for fish stocks in the Baltic Sea, an area fished by a number of nations.
     
    ICES, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, says while cod stocks are on the road to recovery, pelagic fish and salmon stocks are on the decline.
     
    ICES says the situation in the central sea basin calls for a more ecosystem-based approach to Baltic fisheries in the future, taking species interactions into greater account.
    The  advice for a majority of the stocks is based on the “transition to maximum sustainable yield (MSY) approach”. For Baltic cod, the recommendation is to follow the established long-term management plan resulting in a 15 percent increase for the eastern stock and a 13 percent increase for the western stock.

    The status of the different Baltic herring stocks is more variable. For herring in the central Baltic, ICES recommends a TAC of no more than 92,000 tonnes which would imply a 23 percent cut in the current quota. A similar decrease is advised for herring in the Gulf of Riga: 22 percent reduction, or 25,500 tonnes. Western Baltic herring sees a three  per cent cut, while no change is suggested for herring in the Bothnian Sea and Bothnian Bay (managed jointly) in the north.

    Published:  19 August, 2011
  • Norway fishing welcomes Sellafield partial closure

    NORWAY'S fishing industry has welcomed the news that a so-called MOX ( mixed oxide fuel) plant at Sellafield on the Cumbrian Coast is to close.

    Published:  17 August, 2011
  • Trawler grounded because skipper fell asleep

    AN official investigation has found that a  big French stern trawler  grounded off the West  of Scotland  after her skipper fell asleep.

    Published:  17 August, 2011
  • New reports suggest east coast of Canada cod in recovery
    IT was once the richest cod fishing area in the world - until stocks collapsed over 30 years ago.
    But new reports from North America suggest the cod population off the East Coast of Canada is showing signs of sustained and serious recovery.

    The waters were once so bountiful that in the 1950s British trawlers from Hull and Grimsby would even cross the Atlantic to fish the area.
    The journal Nature reports that research shows that the cod and other species of groundfish are making a comeback, although the fishery is still a long way off from what it was a few decades ago.
    Professor William Leggett, a professor in the Department of Biology, and an expert in the dynamics of large marine ecosystems said: ""This early-stage recovery represents a long ecological transition for an ecosystem that was pushed out of balance and that is gradually moving back into balance."
    The results are being viewed in Canada as encouraging for its east coast communities, which suffered greatly after the cod fishing disappeared and went into near terminal economic decline. Oceanographer Ken Frank says cod, haddock and redfish are showing promising signs of recovery on the Eastern Scotian Shelf since they were wiped out and placed under moratorium in 1993.
    Frank, who is a biologist at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Halifax, explained that the number of fish that preyed on those species are decreasing, allowing the vulnerable stocks to increase in biomass.
    However, others are urging caution. George Rose, a fisheries scientist at the Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada, said Scotian Shelf is a very small ecosystem, and other areas might not respond in the same way. "It is an interesting story and a very fine use of the data available on the but it does not solve our much bigger problem," he added.

    Published:  16 August, 2011
  • New Zealand ponders fate of fishing crews who abandoned trawlers after abuse allegations

    NEW Zealand is this weekend embroiled in a debate over the fate of two Asian fishing crews who walked off their trawlers complaining they had been abused and mistreated.

    Published:  12 August, 2011
  • Seafish Media Release: Seafish commences annual fleet economic survey

    Seafish commences annual fleet economic survey   

     

    Fieldwork has just begun for the annual Seafish Financial Report of the UK Fishing Fleet and staff from Seafish are gearing up to meet vessel owners around the country.

     

    Survey staff from Seafish, the authority on seafood, will cover every region of the UK in the next couple of months, interviewing skippers and vessel owners as part of the study.

     

    Hazel Curtis, Chief Economist at Seafish, said: “This important annual survey provides a detailed overview of the financial performance of different sectors of the UK fleet and a personal financial benchmark report for skippers who supply us with a copy of their vessel accounts.

     

    Published:  12 August, 2011
  • CONSULTATION ON FISHING IN LUCE BAY

    New control measures for mobile gear fishing - dredging and trawling - in Luce Bay in the South West of Scotland are being consulted on by the Scottish Government.

    Published:  11 August, 2011
  • Fishing vessel nationality row hots up

    THE National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has accused Defra of failing to address any of the substantive criticisms it has made in the fishing vessel nationality transfer row.

    Published:  11 August, 2011
  • Irish fishing vessel detained

    AS a result of ongoing monitoring, control and surveillance by the Irish Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), a fishing vessel was inspected at sea and detained by the Irish Navy and brought to port.

    Published:  10 August, 2011
  • EU says most fuel efficient trawlers show the highest profits

    THE more fuel efficient the fishing vessel - the higher the profits - that is the view of a new European Commission report out recently.

    Published:  10 August, 2011
  • FISHING BOAT FRAUD LANDS FATHER AND SON IN COURT

    A judge at Newport, Isle of Wight Crown Court, has imposed financial penalties totalling £25,650 on a father and son for having an unregistered fishing boat. His Honour Judge Richard Price, also ordered the confiscation of the unregistered fishing vessel.

    Published:  09 August, 2011
  • West coast of Scotland haddock row

    THE Scottish White Fish Producers Association (SWFPA) says it is outraged at the contents of a letter from the EU Fisheries Commissioner to Scottish MEP, Struan Stevenson on the subject of West of Scotland haddock.

    Published:  09 August, 2011
  • England and N. Ireland fury over fishing "sell out" to Scotland fears

    ANGER IS growing over claims that some sections of the English and Northern Irish fishing industry may be placed under Scottish control.

    Published:  09 August, 2011
  • Sea Safety Training For Under 16’s - A Great Success

    Twenty five young people from Cornwall’s fishing community have been equipped with essential lifesaving skills following the success of a new, one day ‘sea safety’ course developed and delivered by Seafood Cornwall Training, Cornwall’s dedicated Fish Industry Training School based in Newlyn.

    Published:  08 August, 2011
  • Dutch trawler skipper and owner fined a total of £51,000

    The owner and the master of a Dutch fishing vessel have been fined £51,000 (EUR 58,549)  after a Royal Navy patrol ship caught the vessel with nets illegally adapted to catch baby fish.

    Published:  08 August, 2011
  • Japanese release two Chinese trawlers after new fishing flare-up

    THE Japanese authorities have released two Chinese trawler skippers after they were arrested for alleged illegal fishing on Friday.
    This was the second fishing related flare-up between the two countries in just over a month. This time the vessels were not escorted into port, but negotiations were held while they were under detention at sea. According  to Japanese sources, the skippers admitted illegal fishing

    Published:  08 August, 2011
  • Congress Introduces Legislation to Hold Federal Agency Accountable For Lost Fishing Jobs

    This week Representatives Jon Runyan (NJ-3), Walter Jones (NC-3), and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18) introduced the “Saving Fishing Jobs Act of 2011", legislation which seeks to hold the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) accountable for fisheries management programmes called catch shares that have been detrimental to fishermen throughout the Eastern and Gulf Coasts.

    Published:  05 August, 2011
  • Lerwick Harbour reports landings for first six months

    LERWICK Harbour is meeting the expectation of a busy year, with figures released yesterday for the first six months showing increases in cargo, oil-related cargo, passenger traffic and the tonnage of vessels handled.

    Published:  05 August, 2011
  • Community quotas could leave under-10-metre boats worse off

    THE National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) has reported on the most recent meeting of the fishing industry-Defra working group charged with developing solutions to the quota problems facing parts of the under 10m fleet.

    Published:  03 August, 2011
  • Warmer seas push Iceland mackerel further east

    RISING sea temperatures appear to be pushing mackerel shoals further to the East of Iceland, according to one of the main trawler companies fishing for the species.

    Published:  03 August, 2011
  • Irish Sea cod recovery failure mystifies fishermen

    THE National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has admitted that it is baffled by the failure of the cod stock in the Irish Sea to respond to some fairly tough conservation measures. It also says the situation has parallels with the west of Scotland cod stock.

    Published:  03 August, 2011
  • UK has thrown away enough cod to support 711 jobs for 46 years, says nef

    New research from independent think-tank nef  (the New Economics Foundation) reveals that the UK has, from just one cod stock, thrown away enough fish to support 711 jobs for 46 years.

    Published:  02 August, 2011
  • Norway brings down mackerel curtain on Iceland and Faroe Islands

    NORWAY yesterday formally banned all mackerel and mackerel products from Iceland and the Faroe Islands in protest at the two countries' self-declared fishing quotas.

    Published:  02 August, 2011
  • MMO issues alert after bluefin tuna caught off UK coast

    The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is calling for extra vigilance from the fishing industry to ensure they do not catch bluefin tuna.

    Published:  01 August, 2011
  • 25th anniversary celebration donation from SFF Services Ltd

    25th anniversary celebration donation from SFF Services Ltd gives five youngsters the opportunity of a lifetime to sail on tall ship Lord Nelson.

    Published:  29 July, 2011
  • Scottish Government welcomes EU and Norway position on mackerel

    The public rebuke of the irresponsible mackerel fishing practices of Iceland and the Faroes by the European Commission and Norway has been welcomed by the Scottish Government.

    Published:  29 July, 2011
  • Loch Torridon langoustine withdraw from MSC

    SCOTLAND’S Loch Torridon langoustine (Nephrops) fishery has withdrawn from the MSC programme.

    Published:  29 July, 2011
  • Ian Gatt

    Scots fishermen welcome joint statement

    Scots fishermen welcome joint statement from EC Commissioner and Norwegian fisheries minister on North Atlantic mackerel fisheries

    Published:  28 July, 2011
  • Deadly virus kills half of France's oysters

    A deadly virus has managed to kill half of France’s oysters this year. Oyster production has dropped by 30 per cent because of a very aggressive form of herpes.

    Published:  28 July, 2011
  • International €4 million bluefin tuna trafficking ring busted

    The port authorities of Maddalena in Sardegna, Italy, have found some one thousand administrative violations relating to bluefin tuna.

    Published:  27 July, 2011
  • EU MACKEREL TALKS

    RICHARD LOCHEAD STATEMENT ON EU MACKEREL MEETING.

    Published:  27 July, 2011
  • EUROPE URGED TO FOLLOW SCOTLAND AND HELP SAFEGUARD FUTURE FISH STOCKS

    Scotland’s innovative approach to ensuring the fishing industry and marine environment have a sustainable future is being taken to Europe today (27 July).

    Published:  27 July, 2011
  • Brussels meeting calls for all out fish ban and EU talks freeze on Iceland

    A FIVE -point plan to bring Iceland and the Faroe Islands to heel over its mackerel policy, including an all-out ban on any fish products from those two countries, was presented to the European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki yesterday.

    Published:  27 July, 2011
  • Plea for return of stolen fishing memorial

    A GROUP of ex-Hull trawlermen have appealed to thieves to return a six-foot high statue dedicated to the memory of the thousands of fishermen from the city who have died at sea over the past 100 years.

    Published:  27 July, 2011
  • Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition – A very international affair!

    Visitors at the 2011 Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition will have the opportunity to view products and services from exhibitors from over 27 countries including Australia, Canada, China, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Turkey and the USA.

    Published:  26 July, 2011
  • MMO seeks volunteersto help shape inshore fishing

    THE Marine Management Organisation is looking for people interested in shaping the management of inshore fisheries and conservation of the Northumberland and North West coasts of England.

    Published:  26 July, 2011
  • Scots fishermen represented at key meetings in Brussels to discuss serious mackerel situation

    Scottish fishermen will be represented at key meetings in Brussels tomorrow (Tuesday 26 July) involving the EU and Norwegian pelagic industries and EU fisheries commissioner Maria Damanaki to discuss the current extremely serious mackerel situation, with the Faroes and Iceland continuing to plunder the stock with immunity.

    Published:  25 July, 2011
  • Seafish Industry Project Fund funds consultant for Scottish Fishermen’s Federation

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, has awarded the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) a total of £40,740 from its Industry Project Fund (IPF) to fund the services of a Marine Environment & Planning Legislation Consultant.

    Published:  25 July, 2011
  • Norwegian fisheries minister to meet EU Fisheries Commissioner

    NORWEGIAN Fisheries Minister Lisbeth Berg-Hansen is meeting with the EU Fisheries Commissioner, Maria Damanaki in Brussels to discuss the prolonged mackerel conflict involving the EU, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

    Published:  25 July, 2011
  • Iceland mackerel fishing continues unabated

    DESPITE the furore in Scotland and the rest of Europe, almost the entire Icelandic pelagic fleet is this week busy fishing for mackerel and making little secret of the fact.

    Published:  25 July, 2011
  • West Country fisherman to be new NFFO chairman

    THE National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has a new chairman -  Paul Trebilcock, who is also chief executive of the Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation.

    Published:  25 July, 2011
  • Seafish funds online shellfish preparation films for consumers

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, has awarded £4,000 from its Industry Project Fund (IPF) to the Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) to produce five new online videos of how to prepare key shellfish species.

    Published:  21 July, 2011
  • US fires trade sanctions warning across Iceland's bow

    THE United States has threatened to impose trade sanctions against Iceland for increasing its whale hunting quota - and it could  include a ban on Icelandic fish imports to America.

    Published:  21 July, 2011
  • NFFO warns of "minefield of laws" facing fishermen

    THE National Federation of Fishermen's Organisation has just completed a constructive meeting with the Marine Management Organisation, raising  a number of concerns affecting its members.

    Published:  20 July, 2011
  • Mackerel row could "cost Ireland 1,500 fishing jobs"

    FISHING leaders  in Ireland have warned that overfishing of mackerel by Iceland and the Faroe Islands is putting up to 1,500  fishing jobs at risk.

    Published:  20 July, 2011
  • Seafish announces a £700k boost for fishing projects

    SEAFISH back to its old buoyant self, giving  several innovative  fishing related projects and businesses  a £700,000 shot in the arm  through its  Industry Project Fund (IPF).

    Published:  20 July, 2011
  • Mackerel high on EU agenda as fear of "wipeout" grows

    THE alleged plundering of mackerel stocks around Iceland and the Faroe Islands is expected to be high on the agenda when EU fisheries meet in the next few days.

    Published:  19 July, 2011
  • BBC2 is looking for a Fisherman

    BBC2 is looking for a Fisherman to take part in the second series of the current affairs documentary: Toughest place to be…a Fisherman.

    Published:  18 July, 2011
  • English and Scottish fishermen brief MPs on EU fish plans

    A GROUP of fishing related MPs have been jointly briefed by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations on this week's European fishing reform proposals and what they could mean for the UK fishing industry.

    Published:  15 July, 2011
  • Brixham Harbour

    Devon fishing dismay, but Humber relief at coastguard decision

    DEVON fishermen has expressed dismay that the vital coastguard station at Brixham is to close.  The round the clock centre at the busy fishing port  was not included in those that have been saved.

    Published:  15 July, 2011
  • LOCHHEAD COMMENT ON COASTGUARD ANNOUNCEMENT

    Welcome reprieve for Islands Coastguard stations, but concerns remain.

    Published:  14 July, 2011
  • Seafish says industry must have say in reforms

    THE Seafish Industry Authority has given a broad welcome to the EU fish reforms, but it wants  the seafood industry will be significantly involved in developing how future  goals are to be met.

    Published:  14 July, 2011
  • EU reforms "could cost 1,000 Scots fishing jobs"

    SCOTLAND'S Fisheries Secretary  Richard Lochhead has warned that yesterday's  proposal to reform the Common Fisheries Policy do not go far enough - and could  pose a threat to the fleet.

    Published:  14 July, 2011
  • Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

    End of discards as Brussels unveils CFP reform

    The European Commission  today set out its long awaited and radical plans for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and, as expected, they include an end to the hated practice of discards.

    Published:  13 July, 2011
  • Damanaki pledges more power for fishermen and aquaculture

    AS Scotland's fish catching industry leaders  warned that European fishing reform must not turn out to be a wasted opportunity, EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki told Fishupdate that her proposals, due to be unveiled later today, would take an ambitious approach and give more responsibility to fishermen, along with increased support for aquaculture.

    Published:  13 July, 2011
  • NFFO welcomes European clarification on term overfishing

    The National Federation of Fishermens Organisations said last night it welcomes the European Commission’s clarification over the definition of the term “overfishing”.

    Published:  12 July, 2011
  • Seafish hopes for flexibility in fishing reform proposals

    SEAFISH  said today that it  is hoping the UK seafood industry will have flexibility to operate sustainably and profitably within the European Commission’s plans for a new Common Fisheries Policy tomorrow.

    Published:  12 July, 2011
  • CFP reform package unveiled tomorrow

    THE European Commission's long awaited plans for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy will be published after midday tomorrow.

    Published:  12 July, 2011
  • Smiles after Whitby Fish Market rescue

    WHITBY Fish Market has been running well since a new operator moved in recently, saving the facility from closure, the harbour board has said.

    Published:  11 July, 2011
  • Ireland Uniquely Positioned to Target Trillion Dollar Market with Marine ICT

    Delegates at the Second SmartOcean Conference - Driving New Business Opportunities at the Interface of ICT and the Sea - at the Marine Institute in Oranmore, Galway, this week (Tuesday 5th July), heard how Ireland is uniquely positioned to leverage its technical expertise in targeting opportunities within the trillion dollar global marine sector.

    Published:  08 July, 2011
  • New Regulation of Bottom Fishing in Norwegian Waters

    Protection of vulnerable marine species and habitats is a priority for the Norwegian government. With the introduction of a new regulation for bottom fishing in Norwegian Waters, Norway takes an important step in the ecosystem-approach to fisheries management, said Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Lisbeth Berg-Hansen.

    Published:  08 July, 2011
  • New campaign to raise awareness that Gulf seafood is safe

    The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has launched a new website as part of a public awareness campaign to riase awareness that Florida Gulf seafood – including snapper, grouper, shrimp, blue crab, oysters and clams - is safe.

    Published:  08 July, 2011
  • Service will mark final chapter for lost Grimsby trawler

    THE ordeal of 20 brave Grimsby trawlermen who lost their lives off the coast of Norway over 50 years ago will finally be laid  to rest this weekend.

    Published:  07 July, 2011
  • CHILE BANS SHARK FINNING

    The Chilean National Congress has passed a bill that bans shark finning in Chile  after being approved by 24 in favor and 0 against.

    Published:  07 July, 2011
  • The Fishermen's Association BLOG --Trawling for Truth

    TRAWLING FOR TRUTH    http://trawlingfortruth.blogspot.com/

    Published:  07 July, 2011
  • Iceland confirms 177,000 ton cod quota

    ICELAND has confirmed that its cod catch quota for the new fishing year which starts on September 1st will be 177,000 tons – an increase of around ten per cent.

    Published:  06 July, 2011
  • Louisiana shrimp fishermen look to innovative Enzyme treatment to prevent blackspot

    In an effort to bring top quality, more eco-friendly  shellfish to market, particularly in light of economic losses from the recent oil spill disaster, New Orleans' Louisiana’s shrimp industry has begun testing an innovative sulphite-free liquid enzyme treatment to prevent melanosis, or “black spot,” in harvested shellfish. Although harmless, this blackening affects the appearance and market value of the shrimp.

    Published:  06 July, 2011
  • WWF sets out what it wants from reform of CFP

    On Wednesday 13 July 2011, the European Commission is expected to publish its long awaited proposals for reforming Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), meanwhile World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has published a list of what it expects the new proposals should contain.

    Published:  06 July, 2011
  • Faroes in MSC bid for NE Arctic cod and haddock

    The  Faroe Islands has entered its North East Arctic cod and haddock fishery for full Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. If successful products from these two species will be able to use the MSC ecolabel.

    Published:  06 July, 2011
  • Good news on North Sea haddock

    THE International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has said more haddock can be taken from the North Sea next year, but is recommending a small reduction in the cod catch.

    Published:  05 July, 2011
  • China and Japan clash again over fishing

    FISHING tensions between China and Japan have flared up again.

    Published:  05 July, 2011
  • Sharkatag 2011 - Tope numbers down - no sign of cuckoo, blonde or spotted rays

    Are Scottish tope shark stocks in decline and will any rays be seen again?

    Published:  04 July, 2011
  • NFFO wants move away from 'strong arm' fishing controls

    THE National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations said it plans to make a case for a move away from 'strong arm reductions' in fishing effort and catch controls towards a more intelligent and comprehensive approach focused on results.

    Published:  04 July, 2011
  • UK fishermen numbers down by 2,300 in ten years

    THE number of fishermen working in the UK is down by 2,300 over the last decade, new figures show .And there were 16 per cent fewer vessels over the same period, but the UK fleet still remains the sixth largest in the EU in terms of numbers.

    Published:  04 July, 2011
  • Coveney launches intiative to increase French Landings of Seafood into Ireland

    Key representatives from six of the most influential French fishing organisations, representing over 850 vessels are in Ireland today (Monday 4th July 2011) with a view to agreeing strategic partnerships between Irish and French seafood interests.

    Published:  04 July, 2011
  • FISHING BOAT FIRE OFF FRASERBURGH

    Aberdeen Coastguard were coordinating the rescue of 14 crew members from a Danish registered fishing boat six miles off Fraserburgh after a fire was reported in her engine room in the early hours of this morning.

    Published:  01 July, 2011
  • Radical changes suggested for cod management plan

    THE North Sea and North West Waters regional advisory councils (RACs) have presented their case for radical changes to the EU Cod Management Plan to a meeting of ICES and STECF fisheries scientists, held on 20-24th June, in Hamburg.

    Published:  01 July, 2011
  • GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS COULD ‘REGULATE INSHORE FISHING FLEET OUT OF EXISTENCE’

    UK Fishing Minister, Richard Benyon MP, has agreed to meet a delegation of Cornish fishermen led by their local MP, Andrew George, following questions raised in the House of Commons today.

    Published:  30 June, 2011
  • Nordic Council exerts pressure on ministers in mackerel war

    Overfishing threatens to destroy mackerel stocks in the North Atlantic, according to The Nordic Council’s Environment Committee which is calling on the food and fisheries ministers to do something about it, starting at their meeting in Finland next week.

    Published:  30 June, 2011
  • £2.4 MILLION GRANT-FUNDED HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT GETS UNDERWAY

    A significant grant from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) is being used towards the regeneration of Southwold harbour in east Suffolk.

    Published:  30 June, 2011
  • Coveney re-affirms close trading relationships between Ireland and the UK

    Speaking in advance of his forthcoming visit today and tomorro, Friday, to the UK, The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD has re-affirmed the importance of bilateral trade in food and drink trade between Ireland and the UK and the close relationships between the two industries and both governments.

    Published:  30 June, 2011
  • Lerwick Harbour extension to be complete by end of year

    THE latest significant expansion of Lerwick Harbour’s already extensive deep-water infrastructure is progressing towards completion around the turn of the year.

    Published:  29 June, 2011
  • Trawlers built to revolutionary sperm whale design celebrate 30th birthday

    TWO of Iceland's longest serving fresh fish trawlers are celebrating their 30th anniversary of active fishing this month.

    Published:  29 June, 2011
  • Coveney gains support for sanctions at EU Fisheries Council meeting

    Simon Coveney TD, Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has called for urgent and meaningful actions against Iceland and Faroe Islands for their irresponsible and unacceptable fishing of mackerel outside international arrangements and in total disregard for the scientific advice for that stock.

    Published:  29 June, 2011
  • UNMANNED FISHING BOAT PROMPTS SEARCH FOR MISSING FISHERMAN

    Hopes are fading for a missing creel boat fisherman after his boat was found, with the engine running and no-one on board, drifting off the east coast of Unst on Sunday evening.

    Published:  29 June, 2011
  • EU PROMISES ACTION OVER MACKEREL - BUT NOT UNTIL AUTUMN

    The European Commission have once again promised action over mackerel, but not quickly enough, Scotland's Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead warned today.

    Published:  28 June, 2011
  • Scots MEP to propose 10 point plan for CFP reform

    Struan Stevenson, Scottish Conservative MEP and Senior Vice-Chairman of the European Parliament Fisheries Committee, is to set out his 10-point vision for comprehensive reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) at a European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group debate tomorrow [Wednesday 29 June] in Windsor.

    Published:  28 June, 2011
  • Fishing the big issue as Iceland formally applies to join EU

    DESPITE the current economic turmoil within the European Union, Iceland is pressing ahead with its application for membership.

    Published:  28 June, 2011
  • Why ancient Greeks feared lovers of expensive fish!

    FISH was regarded a highly expensive luxury among the Ancient Greeks, and the species they ate was used to determine whether a person might  become a tyrant or decent human being, a fascinating new BBC television documentary revealed last night.

    Published:  28 June, 2011
  • COVENEY WILL DEMAND STRONG ACTION AGAINST ICELAND AND THE FAROE ISLANDS FOR IRRESPONSIBLE AND EXCESSIVE MACKEREL FISHING AT TUESDAY'S FISHERIES COUNCIL

    Simon Coveney TD, Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is demanding strong action, involving trade sanctions on fishery products against Iceland and the Faroe Islands as a result of their irresponsible and damaging over-fishing of mackerel.

    Published:  27 June, 2011
  • LOCHHEAD URGES COMMISSION TO TAKE SPEEDY ACTION ON MACKEREL

    The EU must act now to put in place sanctions they have been promising since last year to address Iceland and Faroes' irresponsible and unsustainable mackerel fishing, Scotland’s fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead said today.

    Published:  27 June, 2011
  • Per Magne Eggesbø

    Metizoft certifies pelagic vessels

    Larsnes Mek. Verksted AS has announced that it has been contracted by ship owners Kings Bay AS and Eros AS to produce two new pelagic vessels.

    Published:  27 June, 2011
  • International watchdog tells Iceland not to change fish quota system

    NEW battle lines are being drawn up in Iceland overplans to re-structure the country's 20-year-old fishing quota system, following a warning from an international watchdog.

    Published:  27 June, 2011
  • Decommissioning is happening too slow, says EU report

    In a report on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the European Commission (EC) has stated the fishing vessel scrapping by the European Union (EU) is "very slow" and there is "capacity excess" in most vessels of the EU fleet.

    Published:  27 June, 2011
  • A fresh approach to fisheries

    Plans to ensure Scotland maximises the potential of its fisheries and seafood sectors have been unveiled by Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead.

    Published:  27 June, 2011
  • Seafish Damage Control Box wins Safety at Sea International Award

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, last night won the training category at the Safety at Sea International Awards 2011 for the Damage Control Kit and accompanying seminar. 

    Published:  24 June, 2011
  • SFF reinforces need for close co-operation between fishing industry and Scottish Government

    The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation will reinforce the need for close engagement and co-operation between the fishing industry and Scottish Government at the Scottish Skipper Expo in Aberdeen tomorrow (25 June).

    Published:  24 June, 2011
  • Safeguarding Scottish Sharks

    The Shark Trust applauds the Scottish Government’s proposal for new rules to further protect vulnerable sharks, skates and rays.

    Published:  24 June, 2011
  • MPs criticise UK government over quota management

    AN all party group of MPs has criticised the UK government over the way it is handling the current fish quota system, as it affects the English fleet.

    Published:  24 June, 2011
  • SEARCH ONGOING FOR 18-YEAR-OLD MISSING OFF MORAY COAST

    A search for an 18-year-old young man was continuing this morning after he went missing off the Moray coast last night. The search is currently being coordinated by Aberdeen Coastguard.

    Published:  24 June, 2011
  • More protection for vulnerable species

    Fisheries Secretary announces plans to safeguard Scottish sharks, skates and rays.

    Published:  23 June, 2011
  • Benefits of using Prawnfresh Plus to be highlighted to NE skippers

    Prawn skippers and processors visiting the Scottish Skipper Expo in Aberdeen on 25 and 26 June will be able to see at first hand the significant financial and health benefits of using Prawnfresh Plus as an effective and safer treatment than sodium metabisulphite in preventing blackspot or melanosis in prawns.

    Published:  23 June, 2011
  • Fish discard reduction schemes to receive substantial funding

    TWO projects designed to help reduce fish discards are to receive substantial funding, it has been announced.

    Published:  23 June, 2011
  • CAP AND CFP NEGOTIATIONS

    SCOTLAND TO PUSH FOR MORE INVOLVEMENT IN EUROPEAN CAP AND CFP NEGOTIATIONS.

    Published:  23 June, 2011
  • Haddock, Saithe and Golden Redfish in Iceland enter certification process

    Encouraged by the successful outcome and market recognition of certified Icelandic cod, three more Icelandic fisheries have now made application to the Iceland Responsible Fisheries certification programme.

    Published:  23 June, 2011
  • Lochhead attends Skippers Expo

    Fisheries Secretary supports Scottish fishermen at first Scottish Skippers Expo.

    Published:  23 June, 2011
  • Discards ban ‘will boost fisheries’, says new research

    Banning fisheries discards in the North Sea will promote fish stock recovery and increase fishermen’s incomes, according to new research by scientists at the University of York.

    Published:  22 June, 2011
  • LIFEJACKET-WEARING FISHERMAN RESCUED FROM SEA

    A fisherman who had been moving his boat when it was swamped and began to sink was rescued from the sea on the evening of Tuesday June 21 near Sugar Loaf, off the Calf of Man.

    Published:  22 June, 2011
  • New lifejacket on display at Scottish Skipper fishing show

    A BRAND new design of lifejacket, offering 100 Newtons of inherent buoyancy, has been produced by Regatta of Norway and will be on display at the Scottish Skipper fishing show in Aberdeen this week.

    Published:  22 June, 2011
  • EU increases Spanish quotas

    The Council of Ministers of Economy and Finance of the European Union (EU) has increased fishing quotas for mackerel, blue whiting and Norwegian lobster for the Spanish fishing sector.

    Published:  22 June, 2011
  • FISH STOCKS IN CRISIS

    A meeting of MEPs on Wednesday will hear new evidence from the EU Fisheries Commissioner about the crisis facing Europe's fisheries.

    Published:  22 June, 2011
  • Haddock, Saithe and Golden Redfish in Iceland enter certification process

    Encouraged by the successful outcome and market recognition of certified Icelandic cod, three more Icelandic fisheries have now made application to the Iceland Responsible Fisheries certification programme. 

    Published:  22 June, 2011
  • Review of the Cod Recovery Plan

    For many years now, cod stocks in the North Sea, the North Western Waters and other European fishing zones have been under threat.

    Published:  22 June, 2011
  • Seafish supports calls for better governance of the world’s oceans

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, has welcomed recommendations from the International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO) to mitigate threats facing the marine environment.

    Published:  22 June, 2011
  • Seafish plans return to full service

    SEAFISH, the authority on seafood, has today outlined its plans to return to full service after its Supreme Court victory last week.

    Published:  21 June, 2011
  • North West Marine invests £2.5 million in new boat

    OBAN firm North West Marine is to spend around £2.5million on a new boat to secure work on the lucrative offshore renewables industry.

    Published:  21 June, 2011
  • Vietnam protest over "Chinese fishing aggression"

    TENSIONS are growing between China and Vietnam over fishing activities in the region - and it is having an impact on supplies.

    Published:  21 June, 2011
  • Galician researchers look into fishing's carbon footprint

    A team of researchers from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) has found that fishing for hake in the waters of Galicia produces lower emissions of greenhouse gases than in fishing grounds like Gran Sol.

    Published:  21 June, 2011
  • £48,000 FUNDING BOOST FOR ENGLISH FISHING INDUSTRY

    In May 2011 the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) approved over £48,000 of grants for the English fishing industry from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF).

    Published:  20 June, 2011
  • Iceland research institute signals 17,000 ton cod increase

    THE Icelandic Government is expected to shortly announce an increase in the country's cod catch quota of at least 17,000 tons for the new fishing year which starts on September 1st.

    Published:  20 June, 2011
  • Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine meeting this week with Lowri Evans, Director General of DG MARE

    COVENEY MEETS EU DIRECTOR GENERAL LOWRI EVANS

    The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, this week met the EU Director General Lowri Evans for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries during a visit to Dublin. 

    Published:  20 June, 2011
  • FISHING VESSEL SKIPPER FOUND GUILTY FOR FAILURE TO KEEP A PROPER LOOKOUT

    On 23rd  July 2009 the British Registered fishing vessel Avalon II, registered in Campbeltown CN690, was reported steaming round in circles in Machrie Bay on the West side of the Island of Arran in the Firth of Clyde.

    Published:  20 June, 2011
  • SCOTLAND'S SHELLFISH TO LAND ECO-LABEL

    Scotland’s entire fishing industry should be helped to gain eco-label status, said WWF Scotland yesterday (Thursday 16 June).

    Published:  17 June, 2011
  • Four meetings to come in NUFTA's tour of English ports

    WITH four meetings yet to come, NUTFA’s tour of English ports continues to ensure that inshore fishermen have a clear understanding of the proposals and a platform to make their views known to Defra.

    Published:  16 June, 2011
  • Seafish back on board after positive Supreme Court ruling

    Seafish, the authority on seafood, will be back serving the seafood industry at full capacity after the Supreme Court today handed down its judgment in favour of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).  The Court ruled that Seafish levy collection from imported sea fish and sea fish products is legal and always has been legal.

    Published:  15 June, 2011
  • NFFO launches strong attack on Maria Damanaki

    THE National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has launched a strong attack on the EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki over her stance on discards and other matters.The NFFO's misgivings abut her approach to reform of the Common Fisheries Policy are also shared by other fishing groups, but this is one of the strongest criticisms so far.

    Published:  15 June, 2011
  • Faroes host annual North Atlantic Fisheries Ministers conference

    Faroe Islands Minister of Fisheries Johan Dahl last week hosted the 16th Annual Conference of the North Atlantic Fisheries Ministers in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.

    Published:  15 June, 2011
  • FISHERMAN LOST OVERBOARD

    At 08.21 am on Tuesday, June 14, the FV About Time, which is an under-15-metre registered FV which operates out of Milford Haven, called on Channel 16 to report that he had lost a crewman.

    Published:  15 June, 2011
  • Scottish Skipper Expo. 2011 - Next week June 24th & 25th, Aberdeen

    First ever Scottish Skipper Expo due to get underway.

    Published:  15 June, 2011
  • Fishing boat needed help from four lifeboats

    A FISHING boat heading home to Scotland needed help from four lifeboats to get it back to its home port.

    Published:  15 June, 2011
  • Whitby shellfish skipper fears for the future

    SHELLFISH skipper owner Peter Hansell, who works from Whitby, has voiced fears over his ability to stay in business, given concerns over the future of the shellfish quota.

    Published:  14 June, 2011
  • Seafood sector needs to ensure products are in line with market expectations to ensure continued growth

    The independent certification of seafood will become increasingly important in the coming years to ensure the sector can continue to enjoy market growth and compete effectively with other foodstuffs, according to Martin Gill, managing director of Food Certification International.

    Published:  14 June, 2011
  • Sodexo signs MSC agreement for wild caught fish

    SODEXO has signed a worldwide agreement with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for wild caught fish with the view to promoting MSC-certified seafood across the 80 countries where it operates and
 maximizing awareness and collaboration with clients and consumers.

    Published:  13 June, 2011
  • Bluefin tuna fishery closed to Spanish purse seiners

    MARIA Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, decided to close the bluefin tuna fishery to Spanish purse seiners in the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic on 9 June 2011 due to the exhaustion of their quotas.

    Published:  13 June, 2011
  • Fisheries oppostition at release of Fukushima nuclear power plant water

    Japan's Fisheries Agency has strongly opposed Tokyo Electric Power Co's (TEPCO) plan to release water contaminated with radioactive materials from its afflicted Fukushima Daini nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

    Published:  13 June, 2011
  • Russia climbs world fishing league

    RUSSIA is fast emerging as one of Europe's most important fishing countries, catching up on major producers such as Norway and Iceland.

    Published:  09 June, 2011
  • MSC announces week-long festival on Firth of Clyde

    THE Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has announced a week long festival to highlight  the biodiversity, natural heritage and recreational opportunities of a large part of the west coast of Scotland.

    Published:  09 June, 2011
  • EU Fisheries Minister gives GLOBE speech

    EUROPEAN Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki gave a speech yesterday at Selfridges in London at the opening of the GLOBE World Oceans Day Forum.

    Published:  09 June, 2011
  • GLOBE discusses improvements to EU's CFP

    It was World Oceans Day day yesterday and one of the events happening around the world was the GLOBE Forum in London, where politicians and some other interested parties gave their suggestions for improving the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

    Published:  09 June, 2011
  • FAROES & ICELAND LIKE PIRATES OVER MACKEREL, SAYS SCOTS MEP

    A Scots Euro MP has launched a scathing attack on the Faroes and Iceland, accusing them of behaving “little better than common pirates” due to their part in the on-going mackerel dispute.

    Published:  08 June, 2011
  • Norway fishing has bright future - leader

    THE Norwegian fishing industry is facing a very bright future, according to one of its leaders.

    Published:  07 June, 2011
  • New bye-law for Isle of Man territorial sea

    ISLE of Man Minister John Shimmin MHK has confirmed the signing of a new bye-law, bringing in a number of new conservation measures in the 0-3 mile zone of the Territorial Sea that will bring long term benefits to crab and lobster stocks.

    Published:  07 June, 2011
  • South African pelagic fish workers' strike 'unlawful'

    The South African Pelagic Fish Processors' Association is calling the strike by more than 3,000 members of the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) that has been taking place since Friday unlawful.

    Published:  07 June, 2011
  • GOVERNMENT PLANS MAY UNINTENTIONALLY FINISH TRADITIONAL COVE FISHING

    The MP for the West Cornwall and Isles of Scilly constituency of St Ives, Andrew George, has warned Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon, that the Government proposals which are intended to protect smaller and traditional fishing ports and methods may in fact put them out of business.

    Published:  07 June, 2011
  • Second annual European Fish Week launched

    The OCEAN2012 coalition launched the second annual European Fish Week on Saturday (June 4th – 12th 2011).

    Published:  06 June, 2011
  • Visit to London by Scots fishing vessel will highlight catching sector’s commitment to sustainability

    A Scottish fishing vessel that specialises in catching herring and mackerel will set sail from Peterhead on Sunday 5 June on a six-day visit to London to raise awareness of the work of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen and highlight the importance of the fishing industry to the UK.

    Published:  03 June, 2011
  • Grounded prawn boat's skipper failed to monitor passage

    AN official probe has found that a prawn trawler ran aground in County Down because her skipper was not monitoring the vessel’s passage.

    Published:  03 June, 2011
  • Fisheries crime has to be taken seriously, says Norway's fisheries and coastal affairs minister

    IF Norway is to maintain its position as the world’s “leading seafood nation,” it is  essential that the problem of fisheries crime is taken seriously, says Norway’s Minister for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Lisbeth Berg-Hansen.

    Published:  03 June, 2011
  • Trawlerman "star" takes Scottish fish message to London

    JIMMY Buchan, star of the popular "Trawlermen" television series, sailed up the River Thames yesterday to take his message about the quality of Scottish fish right into the heart of London.

    Published:  02 June, 2011
  • EU outlaws bluefin tuna from Libyan waters

    THE European Union has warned member states not to buy any bluefin tuna caught by Libyan vessels or from Libyan waters.

    Published:  02 June, 2011
  • PFA herring fishery recertified for 2011

    THE Pelagic Freezer-Trawler Association (PFA) North Sea herring fishery celebrates the start of the 2011 season with their successful re-certification against the MSC standard for sustainable fisheries.

    Published:  02 June, 2011
  • Green MEP supports EU Fish Fight campaign

    Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, is backing a Europe-wide campaign which seeks to end the wasteful and unethical practice of throwing dead fish back into the sea.

    Published:  02 June, 2011
  • Hugh takes Fish Fight message to Europe

    FISH Fight campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall yesterday took his anti-discards and sustainability message into the heart of the European Union on what is expected to a Continental wide mission.

    Published:  01 June, 2011
  • Fishing fraud can be traced through new technologies

    EUROPEAN Commission scientists have published a report on how new technologies can tackle fishing fraud.

    Published:  31 May, 2011
  • Scottish prawn fishermen host ground breaking meeting to spearhead new initiatives to reduce discards

    The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation Nephrops Focus Group hosted a ground breaking meeting of industry, fishermen, Marine Scotland management, gear manufacturers and experts at its Aberdeen headquarters at the end of last week with the aim of stimulating discussion and investigation into innovative ideas for net designs that will significantly reduce and hopefully eliminate discards in the Nephrops (prawn or langoustine) fisheries.

    Published:  30 May, 2011
  • Iceland fishing reform debate hots up

    A WAR of words appears to be opening up in Iceland over radical plans to reform the country's fisheries management system.

    Published:  30 May, 2011
  • UAF experts say shellfish toxin likely to be a problem again this year

    Ocean conditions that last year triggered algal blooms and outbreaks of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) appear to be present again this summer, according to experts at the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.

    Published:  30 May, 2011
  • Safeguarding mackerel stocks

    Scotland is to make further strenuous efforts to monitor the line between Faroese and Scottish waters, Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead pledged today.

    Published:  30 May, 2011
  • Dales works on fishing boat at Leith dry dock for first time

    DALES Marine Services has taken another significant step forward in the development of activity at its Leith dry dock, with work there for the first time on a fishing vessel.

    Published:  27 May, 2011
  • Mackerel quota dispute to top agenda in meeting between Scottish pelagic fishermen and Scots fisheries minister

    Scottish pelagic fishermen will meet with Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead in Aberdeen today (27 May), with a key element of the talks likely to focus on developing a strategy to resolve the ongoing dispute with Iceland and the Faroes over mackerel quotas.

    Published:  27 May, 2011
  • Scottish interests must be represented in Europe

    Scotland's interests in the current crucial debates on the Common Fisheries Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy must be given full weight said Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead.

    Published:  27 May, 2011
  • USDA urged to inspect all catfish

    Elected officials, chefs and U.S. catfish farmers united today in support of new U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements for the inspection and regulation of all domestic and imported catfish sold in America.

    Published:  27 May, 2011
  • Newfoundland settles lobster price row

    A potentially damaging dispute over lobster prices in Newfoundland and Labrador has just been averted.

    Published:  27 May, 2011
  • EC to set fishing limits based on scientific data input

    The European Commission has published its report on progress achieved in the Common Fisheries Policy over the last few years and its suggestions for fishing opportunities in EU waters in 2012.

    Published:  26 May, 2011
  • Nordic conference to examine challenges facing fishing nations

    MANY key fishing leaders are expected to attend a high level event which will examine the cross cutting challenges facing coast and fishing nations in the North Atlantic and Nordic region early next month.

    Published:  26 May, 2011
  • Hugh's Fish Fight wins BAFTA award

    HUGH'S Fish Fight, the acclaimed Channel 4 television series which highlighted the discards scandal, was recognised in the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) at the weekend.

    Published:  25 May, 2011
  • Change of certification body for North Sea Nephrops

    Following an operational decision, the Scottish Fisheries Sustainability Accreditation Group (SFSAG) has  announced that it has changed its certification body for MSC accreditation of North Sea Nephrops.

    Published:  25 May, 2011
  • Joint patrol of Blue Fin Tuna in its fourth year

    FOR the fourth year, the Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA) is coordinating the Joint Deployment Plan (JDP) for the Blue Fin Tuna fishery in the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic waters for 2011.

    Published:  25 May, 2011
  • New proposals for working boats under 10 metres

    THE way that local commercial fishermen working boats of under ten metres in length in England and Wales will have their access to fish managed is likely to be changed dramatically if proposals from the Department of Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs are implemented next year.

    Published:  25 May, 2011
  • Scottish Skipper Expo - Online Visitor Registration goes Live

    The organisers behind the new "Scottish Skipper Expo 2011", Mara Media owners of "The Skipper" fishing publication are pleased to announce that visitors to the show can now register online and have their name badges ready to collect at the show.

    Published:  24 May, 2011
  • Flexibility key to new discard regulations, urges Group

    The Discard Action Group (DAG), a cross-industry group formed in 2007 and co-ordinated by Seafish, has written to the EU’s Commissioner for Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, to urge that new discards regulations should have the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.

    Published:  24 May, 2011
  • London seminar on UK fishing and future of CFP

    THE Westminster Food and Nutrition Forum Keynote Seminar on UK fishing and the future of the Common Fisheries Policy and which will feature a list of leading industry figures will be held in London on Wednesday, September 14.

    Published:  24 May, 2011
  • Boats suffering as winds batter Scotland

    The crew of a north-east-of-Scotland based trawler were rescued yesterday after their boat started taking in water in the North Sea.

    Published:  24 May, 2011
  • Iceland's proposed new quota system could by against the Icelandic Constitution

    The Icelandic Ministry of Finance has condemned Fishery Minister Jón Bjarnason’s new bill on changes to the fishing quota system because it could be 'incongruous' with the Icelandic Constitution.

    Published:  24 May, 2011
  • NFFO reports on key quota conference

    THE National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has just returned from a conference in Copenhagen which has been assessing  the progress made in introducing a catch quota system. It could go some way towards  solving some of the issues around quotas, the NFFO says.

    Published:  24 May, 2011
  • Coveney launches review of crawfish conservation measures

    The Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD today has asked BIM to conduct a review of the present conservation measures for crawfish and to bring forward recommendations by 29 July 2011.

    Published:  24 May, 2011
  • Consumers challenged to try UK hake

    Catches of Northern hake, landed around the UK, are looking plentiful this season – so Seafish, the authority on seafood, is urging consumers to try this excellent whitefish.

    Published:  23 May, 2011
  • Faroes and Iceland prepare to start mackerel fishing

    BOTH Iceland and the Faroe Islands have started or are preparing to start mackerel fishing in defiance of protests from the European Union and Norway.

    Published:  23 May, 2011
  • Frozen hake study link to reduction in cardiovascular disease

    A team of scientists from the Biomedical Net Research Center-Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (Ciberobn), in collaboration with the multinational company Pescanova and the Marine Research Institute for Nutrition & Wellness (Inesma) in Spain has found out that consumption of frozen hake reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

    Published:  23 May, 2011
  • Sixth world fisheries congress to take place in Edinburgh

    The World Council of Fisheries Societies and the Fisheries Society of the British Isles have issued invitations to the 6th World Fisheries Congress (WFC 2012).

    Published:  23 May, 2011
  • Prawn shortage in North Sea getting worse

    THE prawn shortage hitting the North Sea was described today as “even worse” with no prawns at all landed on Friday at Fraserburgh, normally the UK’s top prawn port.

    Published:  23 May, 2011
  • Winterisation Europe's fish oil from Morocco certified sustainable Friend of the Sea

    Winterisation Europe is a leading bulk supplier of small pelagic Omega-3 fish oils deriving from the Atlantic Ocean.

    Published:  20 May, 2011
  • Castlemaine Harbour commercial fishing to be re-opened

    The Irish Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Pat Rabbitte T.D., has announced plans to re-open licensed commercial fishing in Castlemaine Harbour, following receipt of the results of the pilot fishery undertaken there in 2010.

    Published:  20 May, 2011
  • Do something Fishy on Friday 24th June

    Whether you’re a fish ‘n’ chip shop, restaurant, business or group of friends make it a day to remember by taking part in FISH FRIDAY.

    Published:  19 May, 2011
  • Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition & Awards 2011

    Launch of the 5th Icelandic Fisheries Awards - 22 September 2011.

    Published:  19 May, 2011
  • MPA Fishing Coalition warns MCZs are at a critical stage

    THE MPA Fishing Coalition, the body set up to ensure that the fishing industry has a strong voice as a network of marine protected areas are established in UK waters, has warned that the process of implementing marine conservation zones has reached a critical stage.

    Published:  19 May, 2011
  • Global Trust takes on Seafish good practice scheme

    SEAFISH, the main UK authority on seafood, has just announced that Global Trust Certification has been appointed as the new certification body for the Responsible Fishing Scheme (RFS).

    Published:  18 May, 2011
  • Bluefin tuna fleet urged to stay within its commitments

    The Commissioner of Fisheries of the European Union (EU), Maria Damanaki, has asked large scale fishing fleets which catch bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea and in the Atlantic Ocean to respect their commitments for the current fishing season.

    Published:  18 May, 2011
  • INDIVIDUAL TRANSFERABLE QUOTAS WILL HARM SCOTTISH FISHING

    Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Western Isles) SNP MP Angus MacNeil has hit out at the plans for Individual Transferable Quota.

    Published:  18 May, 2011
  • Joint decleration signed on CFP

    Authorities in Spain, France and Portugal have signed a joint declaration for the maintenance of fishery agreements in the framework of the Common Fishery Policy (CFP).

    Published:  17 May, 2011
  • NFFO says it is fighting on many fronts

    THE National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has said it is firing on all cylinders ready to meet all the major fishing challenges looming up over the next few months.

    Published:  17 May, 2011
  • Mackerel row "an independence opportunity for Salmond"

    CHARLES Clover, who made End Of The Line, the acclaimed and hard hitting film on overfishing, has said the mackerel dispute with Iceland and the Faroes could provide a major opportunity for Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond to assert Scottish independence on the issue.

    Published:  17 May, 2011
  • UCSB to Launch Seafood Programme

    Fishermen in Santa Barbara may soon be able to sell their catches directly to the UC Santa Barbara community through a pilot community-supported fishery program that it is hoped will help re-vitalize the local fishing industry.

    Published:  17 May, 2011
  • "Dan Rather Reports" Investigates Fisheries

    After a six-month investigation, Dan Rather Reports will broadcast an in-depth look at the US commercial fishery along the east coast on Tuesday May 17 at 8 p.m. ET.

    Published:  17 May, 2011
  • Prawn landings in north-east Scotland 'at poorest level'

    PRAWN landings into the North-east of Scotland have been described as at their poorest level for some time.

    Published:  16 May, 2011
  • Iceland honours Grimsby trawler crew 57 years on

    A GROUP of more than 30 Icelanders travelled to Grimsby at the weekend to pay tribute to a local trawler crew who rescued their fishermen relatives more than 50 years ago.

    Published:  16 May, 2011
  • Scottish Skipper Expo in Aberdeen

    Mara Media Ltd., owners of the Irish Skipper publication and the Irish Skipper Expo, are hosting a new fishing exhibition for the Scottish fishing and processing industry, Scottish Skipper Expo 2011, which is being held on June 24 and 25, 2011 at the AECC (Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre).

    Published:  16 May, 2011
  • 'Slow Fish' event to take place in Italy

    Fish is back at the Genoa Fiera from May 27 to 30, the fifth biannual international event dedicated to the world of fish and marine ecosystems.

    Published:  13 May, 2011
  • SNP ON EU "DANGEROUS" FISHERIES PROPOSALS

    Commenting on reports that the European Commission may be considering the introduction of internationally tradeable Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs) as part of a package of CFP reform measures, the SNP’s Richard Lochhead MSP said: “This is a very dangerous proposal that rears its ugly head from time to time in the European Commission.

    Published:  13 May, 2011
  • Death of two fishing industry pioneers

    TWO pioneering giants of the British trawling industry in the era when Grimsby could rightfully claim to be Europe's largest fishing port have died within a few days of each other.

    Published:  13 May, 2011
  • Fishermen to get long term quota guarantees under radical CFP shake-up

    FISHING vessels are to be given long term quota shares guaranteed for periods of up to 15 years under radical proposals to reform the European Union Common Fisheries Policy.

    Published:  12 May, 2011
  • Environment groups call for suspension of Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishing

    International conservation organisations WWF and Greenpeace have called for the forthcoming industrial purse-seine bluefin tuna fishing season in the Mediterranean Sea to be suspended.

    Published:  11 May, 2011
  • Iceland finally publishes fishing reform proposals

    RADICAL plans to reform Iceland's fishing quota system were finally published yesterday.
    The Reykjavik Government believes the proposals could bring its exchequer up to an extra £28-million (around five billion kroners) a year - a considerable sum for a country with a population of just over 320,000 people. Around a third of this total would be ploughed back into the fishing industry or spent on projects in rural areas.

    Published:  11 May, 2011
  • Scientists set sail on sustainable tuna expedition

    A GROUP of scientists have left on an eight-week long mission to find ways of reducing the environmental impact on tuna fishing. The party, which also includes fishermen, have sailed into the Pacific on a global co-ordinated project to promote effective and practical tuna fishing techniques.

    Published:  11 May, 2011
  • UK Company First To Promote New Icelandic Eco Label

    Cumbrian Seafoods Ltd, the UK’s leading independent supplier of seafood, has become the first in the country to present the new Icelandic responsible fisheries label to British consumers.

    Published:  11 May, 2011