Visit us online for news, features and nostalgia £3.25 29 August 2019 Issue: 5478 fishingnews.co.uk TURN TO PAGE 2 FOR THE FULL INSHORE FISHERIES DEBATE REPORT Traditional boats on display in Shetland Boat Week Historic sailing sixareens and For many, one of the highlights Ness yoles, which for previous was the sight of the historic generations were the heartbeat sixareens, Far Haaf and Vaila of inshore fishing in Shetland, Mae, together with the Ness yole showcased their capabilities Jeanne LK 407, displaying their again earlier this month during renowned sailing capabilities the popular Shetland Boat Week, in fresh conditions between reports David Linkie. Lerwick and Bressay. Presented by Shetland Vaila Mae was built by the Amenity Trust, the fourth year Shetland Amenity Trust, while of maritime heritage activities Far Haaf was traditionally attracted over 500 people each constructed in Unst and is kept in day to Hay’s Dock in Lerwick the Unst Boat Haven. harbour over the course of the The ambition of Shetland family-friendly five-day event. Boat Week is to encourage The Ness yole Jeanne returning to Hay’s Dock. (Photos: Sydney Sinclair) and enable the use of boats of The historic sixareens Vaila all kinds, by all ages. No less Mae… important is getting people on the … and Far Haaf performing water and reviving the passion for well in good sailing conditions in Shetland’s maritime heritage, by Lerwick harbour. encouraging the maintenance of traditional boats and the retention Auctions, the Malakoff slip, the of traditional skills. HM Coastguard emergency More than 450 people took towing vessel Ievoli Black, and part in boat trips, ranging from the Northlink ferry Hjaltland, also sailing in the historic sixareens to proved popular. rowing around Hay’s Dock. The Shetland Coastguard SAR A wide selection of activities, helicopter and Lerwick lifeboat including guided tours of Lerwick also put on an enthralling display fishmarket/Shetland Seafood exercise. Shetland pelagic fishermen to donate £100,000 to MRI scanner appeal The owners of seven Shetland pelagic fishing vessels are to donate £100,000 to the local MRI Scanner Appeal. The Whalsay families behind the Adenia, Antarctic II, Antares, Charisma, Research, Serene and Zephyr decided to make the sizeable contribution as a gesture of support for the Shetland Health Board Endowment Fund, the charity behind the appeal. They hope that this significant endorsement of the local appeal will help to stimulate the fund further by enabling the organisers to lever in additional funding from local and national sources. Shetland Fishermen’s Association pelagic committee chairman and Charisma skipper Davie Hutchison said: “The case for the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick to have its own MRI scanner, which is used to diagnose and monitor a huge variety of medical conditions, is overwhelming. “It will result in big savings in travel costs and reduce stress and inconvenience for patients. “The pelagic fishermen all felt very strongly that this project will bring real benefit Left to right: Tommy Eunson (Serene), George William Anderson (Adenia), Davie Hutchison to our whole community, and we are delighted to be able to come together and support (Charisma), Una Simpson of the SFPO, Gary Williamson (Research), Lorraine Hall, NHS this unique cause in the manner we have. director of human resources and support services, Allister Irvine (Zephyr), Raymond Stewart continues on page 3 (Antarctic II), Lowrie Irvine (Antares) and Brian Isbister of the SFPO. 2 NEWS Visit us at fishingnews.co.uk and on Twitter @YourFishingNews 29 August 2019 Major conference on inshore future Fishermen urged to attend The NFFO is urging inshore fishermen to sign up to attend a major two-day conference in October that it says will provide a ‘once- in-a-generation opportunity’ for all parts of the fishing industry to bring clarity to the issues facing the inshore sector, and have a say on what that future should look like, reports Tim Oliver The federation says that the point at which the industry takes “Alternatives discussed, such high political and public profile its own future in its hands. as small-scale, or artisanal, or of the fishing industry provides “The idea is a simple one – day-boats, all carry strengths an opportunity to put inshore get all those with a stake in the and weaknesses. Some fisheries on the pathway to future of inshore fishing into the definitions work better in some a sustainable and profitable room, hear what they have to areas and circumstances than future. The conference aims to say, and harvest the best ideas others.” establish a blueprint for their to inform future management Fishermen from all areas future management. and policy in this area,” said attended the workshop, and “Too often, the issues Barrie Deas. the federation’s contribution set confronting our inshore “Hard choices as well as out a few reference points to fisheries have been mired in opportunities are ahead, and it is be kept in mind for the October disinformation conference and what and placed in the Hard choices as well as happens afterwards: ‘too difficult’ box,” 1. Policy should be said NFFO chief opportunities are ahead, and it is evidence-based executive Barrie better if these are made on the basis 2. Policy should Deas. “ seek to establish “Right, that’s us had the knock-back for a grant to attend As well as of sound knowledge appropriate forms of the inshore conference... maybe we shouldn’t have the NFFO, key co-management included Sweaty Betty in the travelling party?” partners in the project include better if these are made on the 3. There should be full DEFRA, the MMO, the Coastal basis of sound knowledge.” recognition of regional and fleet PO, Seafish, the Fishmongers’ The federation says it is ‘vital’ diversity Company and Seafarers UK, that anyone involved in inshore 4. There should“ be clear and Financial help to attend but ‘the principal aim is to give fishing makes the effort to attend agreed objectives Financial help is available and NGOs, we have had a working fishermen a voice in the conference. 5. There should be coherence to help to cover the costs of great response to our call what kind of future they want with other parts of the fisheries attending the conference. for financial support. We are for their fisheries’. Preparations management system, avoiding A variety of organisations pleased that we will be able to “This will not be a A workshop was held recently displacement effects and companies have help around 50 fishermen to conference that only generates in London to shape the form 6. Life beyond the conference: responded to a call from attend, ensuring an excellent hot air and a report which and content of the conference. momentum should be built into the project’s steering group representation of fishermen gathers dust. Too much is Representatives from inshore the arrangements to help reduce the financial from across the UK and being invested in it for that to fisheries from all parts of the 7. Humility: inshore fisheries burden on active fishermen across a variety of types of happen. Change in our industry coast, along with DEFRA, management is inherently who choose to attend by commercial fishing. is constant and inevitable, the MMO and the devolved difficult and complex, and we covering out-of-pocket “With these bursaries but not always in the right administrations, gathered to plan need to understand all facets expenses, such as travel and being allocated on a first direction.” the event. 8. There should be awareness of accommodation. come, first served basis, we The NFFO says that ‘massive “Even how ‘inshore fishing’ the economic incentives created Aoife Martin, director would encourage fishermen preparations’ are underway to is defined carries policy by different management of operations at Seafish, interested in attending to get ensure that this event is the implications,” said Barrie Deas. options. said: “The experience and in touch as soon as possible.” ideas of active fishermen The two-day conference will be vital as we bring the is free to attend, and the Issues for discussion industry together with policy- bursaries will be allocated on Inshore issues discussed at developments taking us? What ● How do we encourage makers, regulators and the a first come, first served basis the preparatory workshop is the right response? new blood into the industry science and environmental to eligible fishermen. included: without destabilising what community to discuss Fishermen interested in ● How do we balance fleet is already there? What are potential solutions to improve registering for the conference ● What are inshore fisheries? capacity and technological the implications of increased the management of our – which will be held at the Should they be defined by development with fishing effort? inshore fisheries. Leonardo Royal Hotel at area, size of boats, catching opportunities? “We’ve had a great Tower Bridge, 45 Prescot power? ● How do we factor in and response from industry Street, London E1 8GP on ● How can we make manage the huge regional and beyond in our call for 8-9 October, 2019 – and ● What are the stocks that are co-management work in the differences and fleet providing financial assistance accessing bursary funding currently exploited by inshore context of fleet diversity? diversities evident in the to help ensure that fishermen should contact Holly Kaiser at fisheries? Are they all inshore, inshore fleets? will not be left out of pocket Seafish on: 0131 558 333 or or do some of them straddle ● How do we balance for taking an active interest in at: [email protected] inshore and offshore? What is maximum flexibility to target ● The devolution settlement is the future of their industry and for further information.