The overall responsibility of regulating and preserving the abundance of the life that teems within these seas, falls to the now decades-old Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), a leviathan of a management system, that although recently reformed, still incurs considerable rancour, from those who seek to operate profitably and sustainably within its often challenging remits.
Sustainability is an oft-used word and one that does not always reflect its true meaning. In terms of the management of fisheries, it not only refers to the state of the populations of commercially caught fish, but also to the economic viability and wellbeing of the communities intrinsic to their production and sale.
Historically, the management of fish stocks via the CFP has been a largely cumbersome and prescriptive “top-down” approach with little recourse to local level interpretation. Back in the 1980’s with maximum fishing effort at its peak, the emphasis, was solely on output with the inevitable consequence, that fish stocks of the more commercially valuable and popular species started to come under increasing pressure, their productive and reproductive “biomass” in danger of dwindling to unsustainable and dangerous levels.
Accordingly, the problems created by fishing effort in excess of capacity were met by a response. Quotas and catch limits were instigated, decommissioning incentives made available, and the less viable and more inefficient vessels encouraged to either embrace the new regime and improve or to quit the industry and make way for more efficient, modern and innovative practice. Fishermen, ever resourceful and ultimately concerned that their livelihoods now hung potentially and precariously in the balance, stepped up swiftly to the challenge.
The resultant reduction in fishing “effort” over the last two decades has therefore manifested itself in very positive and tangible ways:
Firstly it has led to a mini industrial revolution in terms of fishing practice. Fuel efficient engines for vessels, state-of-the-art fish finding technology, net and mesh innovation, improved safety and training and real-time data recording have ensured that not only do vessels throughout the EU operate under conditions of increased efficiency but in an environment conducive to best practice. And it continues, with fisherman of all classes and sectors, constantly responding to the bureaucratic challenges they face, in typically proactive form, designing and trialling new types of gear, and continually seeking to improve on operational efficiency, whilst keeping an ever mindful watch on the welfare of their crews, the investment in which, carries equal importance to that of net function and navigational science.
Secondly, it has resulted in probably the best outcome of all: that of fish stock recovery and populations of the traditional commercial species (Cod, Haddock and Plaice, Herring and Mackerel) to name but a few, suddenly becoming more visible and available in biomass to fishermen and edging back towards their Maximum Sustainable Yield (the measure of sustainability), from only two species in 2003 to 36 in 2015. Exciting news indeed for an industry that could have so easily have had the tables turned and found itself in the unenviable position of a sharp economic decline, from which there would have been little chance of recovery.
Unfortunately, with the initial demise of once bountiful fish populations, the apportion of blame, was an inevitable consequence of the inertia and momentum built up over the preceding years of maximum fishing effort. Fishermen in all sectors of the EU suddenly found themselves in the firing line of a sustained campaign of increasingly inaccurate and conflicting information, which although erroneous in content and biased in approach, nonetheless fostered a groundswell of public opinion that not only dissuaded a generation that fish was a food group to be avoided, but armed them with falsehoods about how the fishing industry per se, were addressing the problem, leading to much unfounded scaremongering.
The various representative fishermen’s bodies across the EU have met this insidious pressure head on and have put their case across in a forthright and meaningful way with overwhelming evidence both scientific and anecdotal, that change has and is happening, with huge advances being made in terms of the ongoing and resourceful management of numerous fisheries.
Until relatively recently, the different trade federations involved, have remained a little unconnected in their collective ability to counter any negative spin that has built up and therefore place themselves in better stead to meet the arguments and assertions placed in their path. Combine that with a lack of presence in the corridors of the Brussels policy-making echelons, a more cohesive partnership was sought and the embodiment of that has been the advancement of the role of Europêche.
Europêche is the overarching and singular trade body, which represents the twelve member fishermen’s organisations, across nine of the member countries that fish commercially. Although founded in 1962 with the intention of defending the interests of its members and ensuring productive dialogue between them and the EU, its role has recently been galvanized and rejuvenated by a concerted effort to play an increasingly influential part in the proposal and adoption of policy in an already highly regulated sector. Kathryn Stack, its newly appointed Managing Director and former doyenne of EU Fisheries policy implementation, makes the case:
“For far too long the industry has had to endure the onslaught of NGO and media prevarication. Our industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the world and our members some of the most legislation-compliant. We believe in compliance, but also in innovation, progression and responsibility. One of our foremost aims is to uphold the tenets of sustainability: Environment, Social, and Economic (Planet, People, Profit), incorporate them into legislation and ensure in doing so that the views, knowledge and experience of our membership are afforded the recognition and respect from those who ultimately manufacture the policies that bind us.”
Kathryn knows full well, from years of dealing with all the bodies involved, just how much progress has been made and continues to do so.
“There are many ongoing challenges” she elaborates, “apart from the sustainability element, food security, sound decision making from peer-reviewed science, progressive safety at sea, continued development training for our members and provision for succession, all help us to implement best practice. Moreover, we know that out there is a fish-loving populous that’s consuming an average of nearly 25.5kgs per capita across our member countries.”
These revealing statistics are part of the Europêche drive to establish far greater and more positive consumer engagement and mainstream understanding of current practice and doctrine.
“We commissioned a pan-European survey,” she continues, “to ascertain exactly where consumer attitudes lie in respect of our industry, its practices and objectives and the dietary importance of fish and the significance of the accompanying health benefits, in a society where wellbeing is of paramount importance.”
The resultant statistics revealed an enormous appetite amongst EU dwellers, not only for the fish they were buying and consuming, but also for information, born out of a desire to extend their knowledge of its provenance beyond that of the fishmonger’s slab or supermarket shelf.
68% of consumers in the poll, revealed, that knowledge of where and how the fish was caught and by whom, is of significant importance. A further 54% attested that knowing a species was fully sustainable and responsibly fished, would influence their decision to purchase. Furthermore, a staggering 86.4%, in the UK alone, regarded the need for increased Government support for the fishing industry, as vital, in maintaining a healthy and well-managed supply of fresh seafood.
“We took these figures (and many more) from our findings”, Stack expounds. “From what we saw, it was obvious that there was a statistical need for improved consumer engagement and knowledge transfer. The survey showed a clear recognition by Europeans of the importance of our industry not just for food but as part of the wider economy”
Thus was born iFish.
Essentially a consumer-facing information portal, iFish seeks to focus on the realities of the European fishing industry, slicing through the bunkum of myth, discarding the offal of misinformation and leaving only the prime facts available for consumption.
Barrie Deas, Chief Executive of the UK’s National Federation of Fishermens’ Organisations (NFFO) and a Vice President of Europêche, regards iFish as a natural response to the considerable dearth of critical information, lately available to the average fish-consuming European.
“The public domain has been swamped with inaccuracies about the fishing industry for far too long. Our technological development in recent years coupled with the management systems we, as fishermen, have implemented, has seen us make huge advances in the way our industry operates now.” he asserts.
“But it doesn’t stop there. The consumer needs to also understand that the days of archaic, top-down prescriptive and sweeping, blanket-legislation from Brussels are over. For our fisheries to be managed correctly, decentralisation and more regionalisation, has to happen, so policy makers can work alongside fishermen to implement a framework that is not only flexible in its approach but local in its governance.”
“Fishermen are able to react very quickly to circumstance and opportunity. That means real-time data being acted on in a timely way and not accompanied by the lag we’ve seen in recent years. Fishermen need to be consulted at every opportunity and we need to see more decisions being made in the wheelhouse.”
So what next? Our desire for abundant seafood has placed undoubted strain on stocks in the past, but both Barrie and Kathryn are at pains to illustrate, that with the increasing number of commercial species, reaching MSY and improved education for consumers high on the agenda, a bright future lies ahead for the fisheries of the EU.
Barrie continues: “With the reduction in effort that we’ve seen due to the recovery of stocks and hopefully more localised roadmaps produced for better fishery management, our members should be able to fish with confidence for generations to come.”
This all certainly rings true for Peterhead fisherman Jimmy Buchan. Having faced the bleak and dispiriting prospect of decommissioning his vessel five years ago, he decided to alter course, in a supreme effort to be able to continue with what he knows best. A major refit of his boat (Amity II) ensued, with investment in every aspect of her function. Everything was scrutinized, from fuel efficiency, crew safety and training, to gear function and navigation technology, culminating in a modern workhorse of a boat equipped handsomely for life on the waters of the North Sea for the next 20 years.
“I just felt I had to invest,” he stresses. “With the fishing as good as it has been for many years, we, the skippers, merchants and processors, know full well there’s a future for our industry, which if managed correctly, will ensure quality fish continue to be landed around our coasts. Many of us are now engaged in live data recording aboard our vessels with CCTV and electronic monitoring of everything we do. We embrace it happily because we know it’s part of the overall sustainability for which we strive.”
It’s clear that Jimmy Buchan is not alone. All around the coast of the UK from Peterhead to Newlyn, fishermen are adopting these measures and are massively keen to interface with society on the future of fishing.
From the deep-water vessels, to the inshore artisanal boats, all are integral to the economic fabric and overall demographic of coastal communities and their dependents. Large or small, both types continue to coexist, as they carry out essentially the same function i.e. the hunting of wild food.
iFish is there to inform, to educate, to reassure and to enthuse. It aims to deliver a message of confidence, whilst excluding and filtering out the sensationalist background narrative that confuses and confounds.
Last words go to the Europêche President, Javier Garat, who sums up in definitive tone, the need for confidence in the future of an industry worth over seven billion Euros, in landings alone.
“There is a need throughout Europe for consumers to have a clearer idea of how the fish they eat is caught, the fishermen and the vessels behind the catch. Fishermen take their role as stewards of the sea incredibly seriously. There is no one more determined than the fishermen themselves, to see healthy and sustainable stocks. The EU sector is leading the way in innovative technology and gear development and is taking part in a huge number of projects to improve catches, enhance monitoring and compliance and participate in voluntary oceanic cleanup. This proactive approach and total commitment to responsible fishing must filter down to the public, so they can see for themselves all the hard work and success the sector has achieved over the last few years.”
Mike Warner
Originally appeared on EASTCOASTAVOCET
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Through SFPAs the EU provides financial assistance to partner countries to boost local fishing sectors and fishing governance, scientific research and contribute in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) in exchange for access rights. SFPAs are widely regarded as one of the most transparent agreements in the world.
In 2014, the budget for SFPAs was €68 million, of which 35 per cent was used to reinforce the governance of the fishery sector in the partner country. In addition, Europêche members operating within SFPAs guarantee local fishermen a salary at an International Labour Organisation (ILO) approved level. To ensure these benefits are felt, SFPAs also require EU ship-owners to employ local fishermen (up to 60 per cent of the crew in some agreements).
Further protection as part of an SFPA agreement comes in the form of rules preventing EU vessels from fishing within 12 miles of shore to avoid competition with local artisanal fishers. SFPA agreements also incentivise EU vessels to land their catch for processing in the partner country, thereby contributing to employment and the economic wellbeing of the country.
Kathryn Stack, Managing Director of Europêche, which represents 80,000 fishermen and 45,000 vessels within the EU fleet, said: “Europêche members have good relationships with our partners in Africa. By entering into SFPAs we can ensure that both partner countries and their citizens get a fair deal as part of our fishing in Africa.
“There have been disturbing reports about IUU fishing off the coast of Africa in recent weeks, which is something our organisation and members stand against. SFPAs are important in raising our standards in terms of fishing and thereby helping promote higher standards for all fishing off the coast of Africa, thereby protecting both the environment and African fishermen.”
The fishing industry is a major employer in Africa, with 12.3 million people directly employed in the sector – two per cent of the population between 15 and 64 years old. In 2011, the fishing trade accounted for 1.26 per cent of the GDP of all African countries.
]]>The new external dimension of the CFP has introduced the following principles :
• Development of scientific knowledge and advice
• Human rights clause concerning respect for democratic principles and human rights, which constitutes a crucial element of such agreements
• Promotion of sustainable fishing activities aimed at long-term resource conservation
• Support and promote actions to eradicate IUU-fishing
• Strengthen regional cooperation, good governance and sustainable development of partner countries’ fisheries sectors
• Enhance the role of RMFOs
• Financial assistance for sectoral support provided that the partner country achieve specific results (infrastructures, local development, social investment etc.)
• Joint management of stocks with 3rd countries fishing in that area
• Public ex-ante and ex-post evaluations of each protocol to a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement
Europeans believe the fishing industry has a vital role to play in feeding a growing world population but have accused Governments of failing to do enough to support the sector, according to a survey of consumers spanning the continent.
The findings come in the first ever pan-European survey of attitudes among consumers towards the fishing industry and to eating fish as part of their regular diet. Four thousand consumers in eight major European nations took part in the survey earlier this month. Among the key findings were that 71% of those responding thought the industry had a vital role to play in feeding a growing world population but with 84% saying that Governments should do more to support the sector and fishermen.
Despite the fishing industry contributing €71.3 billion to the EU economy*, only 1.7% of the EU’s 2014 budget for sustainable growth in natural resources was allocated to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, against 97.5% of funding allocated to European agriculture. This equates to €1 billion of funding for the fisheries sector against €57 billion bolstering the agricultural sector in 2014 alone. **
The survey also disclosed that 70% of Europeans eat fish at least once a week, partly for health and taste reasons. Spanish consumers were revealed as the most avid fans, with the majority (almost 75%) eating fish at least 2-3 times each week. Most consumers (84%) preferred to eat fish at home rather than in restaurants.
In each of the countries surveyed – the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Denmark and the Netherlands – the majority (73%) of consumers said they bought fish at the supermarket rather than at a fishmongers but said the stores didn’t offer a wide enough choice.
Over two thirds of consumers across Europe (68%) noted that they would like to know more about where and how their fish had been caught, and who had caught it, though new regulations introduced in December 2014 meaning that all labels must now carry the exact location and method of the catch could alleviate this. Furthermore, the majority (54%) of consumers said the knowledge a species was sustainably caught would influence their buying decision. These concerns are addressed, as all EU fishermen meet strict EU standards on fisheries practices to ensure that fish are sustainably caught.
In the UK specifically, 86.4% of consumers thought more needed to be done by Government to support the country’s fishing industry with 75.6% saying fisheries played a key role in offering a healthy food source to the population.
The survey was commissioned independently by Europêche, the body which represents 80,000 fishermen and 45,000 vessels within the EU fleet, to mark the launch of its new consumer facing information portal – iFish.
iFish is designed to address the growing consumer appetite for information on the industry, and will cover key themes such its economic and environmental impact, as well as its role in providing a healthy, sustainable food source to a growing population.
The findings come in the week which will see 25,000 fishing industry professionals attend the Global Seafood Expo in Brussels – the industry’s showcase event which will see more than 1,700 companies from over 75 countries meet to identify future opportunities within the industry.
Europêche managing director Kathryn Stack said:
“The survey clearly shows that Europeans recognise the importance of the fishing industry both to their daily diets but also as part of feeding a growing world population. Fishing is a heavily regulated industry and the fishermen we represent have made huge strides in recent years, not only to comply with new European regulations but secure the sustainability of fishing practices and in turn, their livelihoods.
“There is a huge disparity between the level of support provided to the agricultural and fishing sectors and what’s important now is that Governments recognise this and provide a more level playing field to assist those who frequently work in difficult and dangerous conditions to put food on our plates.”
The consumer findings come on the back of the publication of the latest scientific findings by the European Commission*** which show continued success in the industry’s drive for sustainability. The data shows 36 stocks are now fished at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) levels – a key indicator of the sustainability of a particular fishery – compared to 27 fisheries at MSY in 2014, and just two in 2003.
According to the latest scientific advice from ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), there has been a 50% reduction in fishing pressure across all commercial stocks in the North Atlantic since 2000.
Europeche members include the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation – the industry bodies which represent the interests of the United Kingdom’s 6,415-strong fleet, which lands 599,523 tonnes of fish each year.
Barrie Deas, chief executive of the NFFO, said:
“iFish is a response to the lack of consumer focused information available which is something European consumers were concerned about, as this survey has shown.
“Over half of all respondents believed fish stocks are in serious decline – a misconception that the latest scientific figures show clearly isn’t the case – so further education for consumers is timely and we hope will go some way to addressing the misconceptions that still plague the industry”.
To view iFish, visit www.ifish.info
[ENDS]
For more information, please contact Ellie Smith or Jack Williams – [email protected] / [email protected] – 0845 4567 251
The survey was undertaken independently by Research Now between 03/04/2015 – 08/04/2015 and encompassed a total of 4,000 respondents – 500 each from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK.
* p. 17 & p.34, Facts and figures on the Common Fisheries Policy, http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/documentation/publications/pcp_en.pdf
**p.19, Multi Annual Financial Framework 2014-2020, European Commission, http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/multiannual-financial-framework-2014-2020-and-eu-budget-2014-pbKV0413055/?CatalogCategoryID=mpgKABstFogAAAEjbIUY4e5K
Europêche represents the fisheries sector in Europe. Currently, the Association comprises 12 national organisations of fishing enterprises from the following 9 EU Member States: DE, DK, ES, FR, IT, MT, NL, PL, UK.
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Press release: March 2015
Europêche, the foremost trade body representing the fishing industry in Europe, is strengthening its activities to champion the sector and ensure its vital contribution to the economy, social fabric and food supply chain is fully recognised by EU policymakers.
With twelve member organisations across nine countries, Europêche represents 80,000 fishermen and 45,000 vessels within the EU fleet and which provide 48bn fish-based meals a year, injecting €41.3bn into the European economy.
Europêche plays a leading role in ensuring the views of fishermen and the concerns of the industry are heard in the European Commission, Council and Parliament when setting policy and regulations. It is focused on supporting what it calls its ‘three pillars of sustainability’ – environmental, social and economic.
As part of the organisation’s reinvigorated approach, it has appointed Kathryn Stack, former Senior Policy Adviser on Fisheries Policy in the European Parliament, as Managing Director.
She said:
“The European fishing industry is the most well managed and regulated in the world. With tens of thousands of fishermen and their families relying on the industry for work, millions relying on it for food and Governments across the continent relying on it to contribute to their economies, the fishing industry has a greater impact than most people realise. This is all done whilst we also take a pro-active role in ensuring fishing activities are carried out in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. The fishing industry relies on healthy ecosystems for abundant stocks. We want a sustainable fishery and a sustainable sector.”
Stack continued:
“For too long, the sector has struggled to make itself heard among the throng of newly-emerging environmental groups. Fishing is a heavily regulated industry. The fishermen we represent have made huge strides in recent years, not only to comply with new European regulations designed to ensure the sustainability of fishing practices, but also to act proactively to safeguard stock levels and their own livelihood in the years to come. Ultimately, we are all striving towards the same outcome: to ensure resource protection. What is important is that regulation is reasoned and proportionate, based on proven science, good environmental practices and provides for the long-term sustainability of the sector. The current image of the EU fishing industry does not represent the reality of our fishing operations.”
Europeche members include the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation – the industry bodies which represents the interests of the United Kingdom’s 6,415-strong fleet, which lands 599,523 tonnes of fish each year.
Europêche has renewed its drive to illustrate how sustainable and responsible commercial fishing can be. Currently 66 European fisheries hold Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) accreditation, an official recognition of the sustainable fishing practices in operation, with a further 29 currently under assessment.
European fishermen operate within strictly defined quotas, which are often set below the Maximum Sustainable Yield advice suggested by scientists. Such a policy has allowed the majority of European fish stocks to experience a significant recovery in recent years, with a recent study declaring that the majority of assessed stocks were being fished sustainably .
Javier Garat, president of Europêche, said: ” Europêche is here to support the excellent work done by our fishermen in this crucial industry. Our fishermen deserve appreciation and recognition for the work they do in often challenging conditions to provide food for so many people, whilst also helping towards creating and maintaining a sustainable marine environment.”
Ends
For more information contact Ellie Smith or Jack Williams on 0845 4567251, or email [email protected] or [email protected].
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23358256
http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(13)00707-0
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“The Pew Foundation has recently unveiled its report Turning the tide: Ending overfishing in North-western Europe which claims that the changes to end overfishing adopted at the last reform of the Common Fisheries Policy are being threatened by high quota allocations and short termism. “
“As the president of Europêche, the body representing 80,000 European fishermen and 45,000 vessels, I have to challenge this assertion and make clear that Pew’s report is hugely misleading. “
“Firstly, the number of stocks within safe biological limits has almost doubled in the last decade, a fact which Pew fails to acknowledge. In the North East Atlantic many fisheries are already on the way to being put on a sustainable footing and great progress has been made by the industry itself to ensure stocks are healthy and abundant. “
“The definition of overfishing has evolved so much over the years. Where once it meant stocks below a safe minimum, it now means stocks not yet at maximum in terms of sustainable yield. What would once be considered healthy is now considered overfished. Yet, even by this new definition, a decline in the number of ‘overfished’ stocks could be seen well before Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) targets were in put in place during the CFP Reform. In the North East Atlantic, an area that has seen a substantial reduction in its exploitation rate and an improvement in stock status, there are now 36 stocks being fished at MSY, compared to 27 last year and just two in 2003.”
“It should also be pointed out, as is fleetingly referred to in the report, that under the CFP Reform, scientific TAC advice is set within the policy framework to deliver MSY by 2015 and 2020 at the latest. This is to give the sector time to adapt to the inevitable hefty cuts in quota, which will be slowly increasing year on year, and ensure our fishing industry can remain economically viable.”
“Secondly, environmentalists cannot lay claim to changing the tide of overfishing and depleting stocks. The tide turned 15 years ago, with fishing mortality across all the main stocks in the North East Atlantic being halved since 2000. The reason the Pew organisation may not be aware of this is because it is many years before it expressed any interest in our fisheries and a full 13 years before the CFP reform.”
“We can identify around 20 individual measures that underpin this turnaround, probably the most significant being the fleet reduction in various member states. Major advances in fishing gear and techniques have also played a part. All stocks are responding to these changes – some dramatically, others more slowly – but the fact is Pew has failed to acknowledge this natural variation. “
“Europêche and the wider fishing industry welcome input from all factions to address and overcome challenges in achieving sustainable fisheries. However, by being selective with the facts to constantly portray fishing in the most negative light, real progress is not being made. “
“Misleading reports such as these only serve to push the sector into further disrepute at a time when our fishermen are making huge progress towards achieving sustainable fisheries.”
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