Like most areas of business, the seafood sector in Scotland is in  the midst of a very testing and trying time.  Lost markets for a number of high-end species such as Scallop and prawns and significantly reduced  demand for  whitefish has led to  a high number of vessels tying  to the quayside.  A limited number of  vessels continue to fish for haddock for the domestic market with species such as monkfish, hake, ling and megrim shipped to foreign markets mainly France and Spain.   These exports are traditional and form a significant element of the trade from fish processors in the north east of Scotland who send regular shipments on a daily basis.

That trade is now threatened  after a section of the French industry applied pressure through political routes to the large retailers to ensure that only fish of French origin is purchased at auction.  The genesis of their actions is unclear but understood to be linked to poor returns for a quantity of French fish.  What is clear is the impact their actions will  have for Scottish fishermen with exports of fish to France now reduced to very low levels.  Their actions have a direct impact on Scottish markets with prices for a number of key species dropping sharply.

Scottish waters are fished quite heavily by around thirty  large French vessels. These vessels land their catch into Scottish ports and truck the  produce to France. Understandably,   and in response to the protectionist measures applied in France, a  number of Scottish fishermen are saying that this practice must now be brought to a halt. 

In the hope of deescalating this whole affair  we are calling  on our French colleagues to step back from this agenda. Far more will be gained from working together than operating in isolation.

With great pleasure we announce that SWFPA is now certified as a group in the Responsible Fishing Scheme. The current approved members can be found on the RFS section on our website . The group is the first to gain certification of its sort.

By James Buchan – Internal RFS Auditor

During the first quarter of last year I started auditing potential vessels for entry into the RFS scheme through SWFPA. There were challenges, primarily as to the burden put on fishermen with paperwork. Largely this has been removed and simplified.

We have since moved on and are now engaged in putting qualifying vessels into a group scheme. This will simplify the system even more and reduce the number of audits done onboard. Presently there are over 60 vessels ready to enter the group scheme and even more are in application.

Peterhead Fish Market now has RFS vessels clearly identified in yellow on their daily fish landings page.

Preparing cod for the fish market…

It was an honour and privilege to be awarded an OBE  in the Queen’s birthday honours list, which was in recognition of  my contribution to marine conservation.  I was especially delighted to receive it from HRH Prince Charles who has done so much in his own right to raise awareness of marine related issues and his promotion and support of sustainable harvesting.

Fishermen have  matured significantly since the dark days at the turn of the century, where anarchic behaviour and overfishing reduced a number of stocks to fairly critical levels.  I was as guilty if not more so than my fellow fishermen, very much ignoring the needs of the future in order to meet here-and-now  demands. Repayment loans and sending the crew home with a decent wage for a hard weeks graft was our only focus.

Many stocks reached levels capable  of delivering irreparable and long term harm. Fleet decommissioning schemes in 2001 and 20O3 drew a line under year-on-year declines,  although it would be a number of years before species such as cod would show any signs of recovery.

The lasting images of vessels sailing from harbours never to return was a sobering and life changing moment, only then did I and others see the light, declare mea culpa and embark on a life long commitment to rebuild and maintain our stocks and in the process recover our once proud industry.

Blame has no place in a modern society, learning from our past and applying the lessons it provides should be our aim.  The landing obligation coupled with a modern and efficient fleet means that we enter a new period in our development where vigilance and action will be required in strong measure.

My hope is to remain in my post until such time as we leave the EU and begin to create  a whole new dynamic around our Scottish fisheries. Our commitment to sustainability and protection of the wider ecosystem should allow us to become a real entity in the supply of sustainable quality seafood.

The technology around wind turbines changed massively over the last few years. Many windfarm operators have applied for new licences only a short while after a licence was given, due to new possibilities they didn’t thought possible. Materials become cheaper, turbines taller, possibilities larger.

The fishing sector welcomes bigger turbines. Bigger turbines often mean less turbines, which equals less space for the energy park and more left for fishing.

However, bigger turbines are not the only new possibility. Another development is not received as well: floating turbines. Floating structures use more space, as the anchors to keep them in place are far from the turbines itself. Fishing, especially trawling, is impossible anywhere near floating turbines. While fishing inside a statutory wind park might be a possibility sometime in the future, fishing inside a floating windfarm is not.

During meetings regarding the new wind farm options in Scottish Waters, SWFPA and SFF have repeatedly voted against floating turbines. The fishing industry rather has statuary parks over a floating park any time. Unfortunately, it is the developers’ choice, who will have planned the park before talking to the fisheries. We will keep trying to change their minds by attending all necessary meetings.

Mike Park, chief executive of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association, condemned the recent illegal activity in Gairloch, especially as it is an area where vulnerable marine habitats are being protected.

He underlined the fact that operators of the vast majority of scallop vessels in the UK behave responsibly and fish within the law and the terms of their licence conditions.

“Regulations are critical to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are balanced, and within the SWFPA we have a strong tradition of working with others to protect stocks and the marine environment.

“The SWFPA was instrumental in calling for electronic monitoring on board scallop vessels above 15 metres. We are now calling on the Scottish Government to introduce such measures on board every vessel dredging for scallops, irrespective of size. It is important that we put an end to these sorts of unwelcome transgressions.

“We will be writing to Cabinet Secretaries Fergus Ewing and Roseanna Cunningham to push for tougher legislation so that technology can be installed as soon as possible on board all scallop vessels. There can be no credible or rational excuse to delay its introduction.”

According to fisheries statistics compiled by the government, 11,000 tonnes of scallops worth £25.9 million were landed in Scotland last year, most of which was exported abroad.

Brexit will give opportunities to rural Scottish villages. How? Find out in the video below!

Mike Park SWFPA from Paul Riddell on Vimeo.

SWFPA chief executive Mike Park greeted HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, and discussed the progress of talks towards a new post-Brexit settlement for fisheries during his visit to formally open the new Peterhead Fishmarket on Saturday 29th September.

At a stand exhibiting the association’s work on sustainability, crew welfare, the environment, the Responsible Fisheries Scheme and the Brexit dividend, Mr Park was recognised by the Prince who stopped for a short exchange.

“He was interested in the positive work we are doing in a broad range of areas and we had a good discussion,” said Mr Park.

“The Prince has always been a champion of sustainability and his views on the environment are well known. The Scottish fishing industry has a great story to tell in this regard and we will continue to work on improving sustainability.”

The ocean is getting busier. Marine traffic, aquaculture, tourism, renewable energy, oil & gas, seabed mining and of course fisheries are all competing for space. Many sectors use the same or neighbouring locations. For example, wind turbines need soft debris to allow their anchors to hold; these are often areas, which are inhabited by highly valued species such as nephrops.

Countries try to divide their waters between the various sectors as fairly as possible. That’s what Marine Spatial Planning is all about. There are many European-wide projects relating to some form of MSP. With research in smaller, focused areas, projects such as MUSES and Blue Growth try and determine how MSP can best be applied in European waters.

SWFPA attends many of the meetings to give input from a fisheries perspective. Many sectors do not realize their effects on wild catch fisheries and our views are very much appreciated. Together with the other sectors we try to make co-existence as easy as possible.

Beautiful sight of one of our members leaving Kinlochbervie for a fishing trip!

There are currently 10 renewable energy projects in Scottish waters:

1. MORL West – Applying for licence in 2018
2. Kincardine – Licenced, 2018 / 2019 expected construction
3. Forthwind Offshore – Licenced, 2019 expected construction
4. Inch Cape Offshore – Licenced, 2019 / 2020 expected construction
5. SeaGreen – Licenced, 2019 / 2020 expected construction
6. MORL East – Licenced, 2019 / 2020 expected construction
7. Neart na Gaoithe – Licenced, 2020 / 2021 expected construction
8. Beatrice – Licenced, under construction
9. Aberdeen Offshore – Fully commissioned
10. Hywind – Fully commissioned

Only one of the above projects doesn’t affect commercial fisheries in any way. All the other projects are located on fishing grounds. As (marine) animals are bound to their habitats, fishing someplace else is often not possible.

There are no examples (yet) of a successful coexistence between (mobile) commercial fishermen and offshore wind energy parks. In many countries (e.g. the Netherlands, Belgium) fishermen are not allowed to fish inside a windfarm; in Scotland fishing inside a farm is not prohibited, but fishermen often do not access the area due to navigational difficulties and potential dangers.

There are many unknowns regarding wind energy in the ocean. What effects do these “artificial reefs” have? What effects does the electromagnetic field have? And the noise? Some populations are known to increase, but other species disappear from the area completely.

Even though these questions remain unanswered and long-term effects are not known either, in June 2018 the Scottish Government published a document (Areas_of_Search) with new areas designated for wind farms. From a fisheries perspective, this is very worrying, will all fishing grounds be used as renewable energy parks?

After catching, the fish will be carefully checked and sold at a fish market. In this vlog shows the observers checking the fish on the market.

Another fishermen vlog, on foreign crew: very skilled men from all over the world on board the Scottish whitefish fleet.

SWFPA1 from Paul Riddell on Vimeo.

Always working for the freshest fish! Another fisherman’s vlog showing life onboard a fishing vessel!

SWFPA chief executive Mike Park has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to marine conservation.

The association has been at the forefront of work to restore the health of stocks and protect the marine ecosystem, engaging and collaborating with the environmental lobby in the process.

“My name is on it, but this award is recognition of the work that the industry has been carrying out to ensure it has a sustainable business model for decades to come.”

There is an increasing number of fish farms on the West coast of Scotland. The farms, often growing salmon, contain 10 to 16 cages, each with a circumference of 80 to 120 meters. The cages are surrounded by moorings to keep the cages in place. The moorings can stretch like tentacles on the seabed for hundreds of metres.

Fish farms are usually located in small inlets. This protects them from most of the tide and weather, preventing them from dislodging and damage. Fishing is not possible inside farm areas due to these moorings. This causes conflict with fishermen who, in many cases, have operated within the area all their lives.

One of my roles is to liaise with aquaculture companies regarding positions of their new farms, as well as to try and solve some of the problems with existing ones. During my studies and previous employment, I’ve learned much about the theory behind aquaculture. Given that much of my understanding was steeped in theory it was enlightening to recently visit one of the fish farms in Loch Striven.

Loch Striven is very beautiful although the weather on the day significantly less so, it was a windy, rainy day in March. Draped in wet weather clothing, we made our way out to the farm on the farm-vessel.

A farm usually consists of cages with a floating office next to it. Our first stop was at this small office. It consists of the newest technology to measure the water conditions and keep a watchful eye on the fish. Fish behaviour is a very important proxy of their welfare and therefore the fish are watched at all times. We then jumped back on board the vessel to visit the cages. Feeding was in progress; floating cables pressurized with air shoot the food into the water to feed the fish. All the cages have small walkways around them. This allows them to check the nets and fish from up close. Harvesting was about to begin so we departed to terra firma once again.

During the day we chatted about how beautiful both our industries are, and how closer collaboration would be useful.  Both the fishing and aquaculture industry have important roles as food producers; both are necessary for the protein we need to feed the world.

Aquaculture technologies develop fast. Moving further offshore will be possible for these companies sooner than later. This may release pressure on inshore waters and fisheries but will undoubtedly lead to competition for space with other fishermen in offshore areas. In the meantime, everyone will benefit from good relations between those that farm fish and those that harvest the wild catch.

Written by Femke de Boer – Inshore Policy Officer

Weather on sea is not always good… But fishing continues!

Written by James Buchan – Internal Auditor

May update

The Responsible Fishing Scheme (RFS) was introduced to maintain a standard that is acceptable to retail customers demands. In March, in collaboration with retailers, the SWFPA decided to actively pursue owners to commit to the RFS scheme.

Presently there are 42 SWFPA 5 MNWFA vessels certified by the Scheme.

Since I’ve started in March 2018, 7 more vessels have applied for certification:

• 5 of these vessels are SWFPA
• 2 of these vessels is MNWFA
• 3 of these vessels are demersal trawlers
• 2 of these vessels target scallops
• 2 of these vessels target nephrops

Learn all about the life of a fisherman in our fisherman’s vlogs!

Mention the words Brexit and fisheries and the words sell out and betrayal might follow soon after. The vague Brexit rhetoric recently of taking back control really meant something to British fishermen and coastal communities. The time has come, they say, to reclaim an industry that Ted Heath and his Conservative Government handed over to Brussels in return for membership of ‘The Club’. Speak to anyone from a fishing community and they will tell you: “Ted Heath was guilty of pulling the trigger that caused the death of the UK’s fishing industry and the demise of hundreds of coastal communities around the UK.”

Theresa May and her Conservative Government now have an opportunity to rectify the wrongs of the past. It’s hers for the taking. But she needs to be bold. And brave.  There is simplicity of fishing compared to other industries. We are an island!  We are a maritime nation! We are a fishing nation! A good or bad deal will be easily recognisable.

The European Community was created in the backdrop of war. The European Coal and Steel Community, initially between the French and the Germans, aimed to pool resources and more profoundly, to ensure that another war between European neighbours would never happen again. As the EU has grown, the shared and common values have become apparent. Look at how Britain’s relationship with Russia has deteriorated over the past few weeks and the immediate response of solidarity from all EU member states.

Unquestionably, there is a role for unity and cooperation between European allies. But in 1973 the UK was asked to share one of its most precious natural resources. Britain’s waters became Europe’s waters overnight, a shared resource. The British Isles, the UK and Ireland combined are home to 60% of EU waters, the most fertile waters within the EU’s control. I can’t think of another country in the world that has handed over control of a natural resource in the same way we have.

We now have an incredible opportunity to take back full control of our waters.  As we negotiate our exit we have to accept there are a number of issues at play. Financial passporting, aviation, new trade deals, cooperation on security, the question of a border separating Northern Ireland and the Republic.  What is the best outcome for Britain? What is the deal that will allow the UK to rebuild its position in the world order?  Where does fisheries rank in the order of political priorities?

On reflection, similar pressures apply now as they did in the 1970s.  But we don’t have to make the same mistake twice. Politicians traded away the UK’s fishing grounds to the detriment of coastal communities up and down the United Kingdom in order to join ‘The Club’. Our national heritage as a maritime nation disappeared. There would be a sad irony if, in order to exit the same ‘Club’, we rolled over and agreed to keep the status quo. Imagine being an independent coastal state like Norway or Iceland, without the freedom or levers to negotiate with the EU. It would be galling and not at all what the Brexiteers promised us in the May and June of 2016.

I was in Aberdeen just before the referendum when fishing minister, George Eustice, shared a platform with Nigel Farage. “Brexit will offer fishermen a great opportunity”, they both told us. “We will finally have the opportunity to leave the Common Fisheries Policy”, was the promise they made.

The tough negotiations are due to take place between now and September. It may be diplomatically difficult for Theresa May to disappoint her European counterparts in these negotiations, however, it will be even harder to explain to a nation why taking back control isn’t taking back control at all. Just more of the same.

Written by Mike Park – CEO

Well, that’s me over 2 months into my role at SWFPA.  For those that don’t know me, the bulk of my career has seen me heavily involved in and managing;

• Research vessel demersal surveys
• Observer sampling on commercial vessels
• Sampling of landings at ports and factories.

It is with this background that I spent my first few weeks attending Benchmark Workshops at the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES).  ICES advice for fisheries is based on annual fish stock assessments with the methodology for these assessments being evaluated every 3 – 5 years in a benchmark process. The aim being to have a consensus agreement on assessment methodology that is to be used in future update assessments.

However, the outcome of these meetings tended to demonstrate that success in advancing the methodologies is dependent on the input of the relevant member states with direct interest in the relevant stocks. For example, several anglerfish stocks have now been moved from a Data Limited Stock (DLS) classification to being fully assessed whereas Northern Shelf Anglerfish stocks remain as a Data Limited Stock with annual advice based on the outcomes of the industry / science surveys.  The DLS process incorporates a precautionary approach that limits advice change to 20%, a situation that many believe has resulted in catch advice not reflecting the state of the stock.

The clear message that I took from these workshops was the need for industry to engage at the earliest opportunity in the process as reduced resources at Marine Scotland Science appeared to hamper provision of data and meaningful dialogue with stakeholders pre-benchmark.

During the workshops, SWFPA stressed the willingness of industry to engage at the earliest opportunity and, more importantly, our desire to contribute to provision of data, information and science that will help provide robust stock advice for the stocks that we depend on.

Having attended recent SWFPA Committee meetings, members were quite clear that we engage directly with Marine Scotland Science with West of Scotland cod and whiting being obvious stocks that could benefit from additional information on stock structure and improved spatial information on catches.

In the coming months, I will be liaising with staff at the Marine Laboratory to investigate how SWFPA fishermen can help address the weaknesses and data shortfalls that currently hinder stock assessment.

Written by Kenny Coull – Fisheries Policy Officer