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June 2008
This picture, taken at Slapton Sands nr Dartmouth in Devon in mid June 2008 Showing a trawler working just yards from the shore. With another two fishing a little further out. We question the ethics of such an operation as this is surly the area in which most fish are still juvenile and the cost of landing the scallop catch will be at the expense of so many young fish and the destruction of there habitat. While this is not illegal is it no wonder we need the much talked about golden mile. Come on Devon SFC you have the power to act!!!
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This page was last updated on 18th March 2009 |
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1st January 2009
WESTCOUNTRY fishermen have been forced to sail as far as South Wales in search of their catch because of the closure of a prime inshore area in the English Channel. The Devon Sea Fisheries Committee (DSFC), which is responsible for policing the seas around Lyme Bay, says the closure of a 60 square mile area in the bay to scallop fishermen has forced them to find other areas further a field in which to operate. A report to the committee said because there is already heavy fishing activity in neighbouring areas, it means they are having to go further a field. But the committee warns this is not sustainable and could end up with scollop fishermen going out of business. A DSFC spokesman said: "The quotas are also getting lower and lower, especially for inshore boats, so they really are between the devil and the deep blue sea, I don't know what they will do. All the doors are closing, there are very few opportunities for switching to other methods of fishing." The marine protection zone was closed off in June, after a prolonged campaign by wildlife trusts helped persuade the Government it would protect rare species of coral and other precious wildlife. But fishermen were up in arms, claiming a voluntary agreement to avoid certain areas had been working. The ban on trawlers in the new zone means they are now fishing in waters which the report claims were traditionally the domain of fishermen using static equipment, such as nets and whelk pots. They are also heading to areas like the Bristol Channel, putting them in conflict with boats already operating there and putting more pressure on fish stocks. The fishermen are also dismayed that static fishermen are still allowed to fish within the protected area in Lyme Bay. Paul Wason, skipper of the scalloper Spanish Lady III, which operates out of Lyme Regis, said: "It's early days yet, but we are expecting to start feeling the affects of it any time now. We have just had the Christmas break, and we have already worked all the ground we would normally work over the summer months. Now, we are playing the waiting game, taking it day by day. Some of the Exmouth fishermen are going right around to South Wales." The quarterly report, which covers the three months leading up to December, will be discussed at the committee meeting at the South Hams District Council headquarters on Friday. It reveals that owners of the large vessels which have moved out of the restricted area into the surrounding waters, where they can legally fish, have complained that they feel "over policed", after the Marine Fisheries Agency's plane flew over the area several times in one week. So far, no breaches of the ban have been reported. Mr Wason said: "It's ridiculous. We used to see the plane maybe half a dozen times a year, and now, since they closed the area, it's like they have nowhere else to go. "They're here all the time, and the Devon Sea Fisheries boat is here, too. They're desperate to catch us fishing in the box, but we're not that stupid. We wouldn't dare – the fine is too high and they can suspend your licence. It's not worth it – we just have to travel further to work."
Rodbenders Comment
We would like to correct the Western Morning News Report as to why the area was closed (see heavy text section above) and why it will remain so for three years. The University of Plymouth You may be aware that on the 11 July last year, the UK government closed sixty square miles of Lyme Bay to boats using scallop dredges and heavy demersal trawls in order to provide protection against damage to marine ecosystems incurred as a result of towed benthic gear. The area, however, remains open to sea anglers, scuba divers, fishers using pots and nets and other recreational users Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), University of Plymouth and Marine Biological Association of the UK have since been awarded a contract by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to monitor, over the next three years, the economic, social and ecological impacts of the 60 square nautical mile closed area. PML will specifically assess the impact of the closure from economic and social perspectives. As part of our remit we will aim to interview all relevant stakeholders to build an accurate picture of the socio-economic implications of the closure to them
We have therefore developed a questionnaire (available at http://web.pml.ac.uk/lymebay/ ) to collect views from sea anglers. This questionnaire applies if you have been sea or shore angling at any location in Lyme Bay (including sites near Portland, Start Point, Dartmouth, Teignmouth, Exmouth, Lyme Regis etc). We would appreciate it if you could fill in the online questionnaire so we can take your views into account. Alternatively if you would like to arrange a telephone interview please give me a call on the number listed below. If you have club members who would be interested in participating in this research please could you forward this e-mail onto members of your club. The questionnaire will remain available until the end of the month Rodbenders appeals to all who have fished in the area to complete this questionnaire
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Four million anglers have united to fight EU rules that will impose quotas on recreational fishermen limiting the number of fish they may catch.
The newly formed Angling Trust will represent more people than the membership of all the main political parties combined, the Anglican church and the National Trust. The lobby group has been set up to fight for one of the UK's most popular sports by protecting the environment and ancient fishing rights. Its most immediate fight is against EU proposals for recreational fishermen to register their boat as a fishing vessel and record their catch as part of the UK's annual quota for certain species. The new body will replace current organisations representing sea, coarse and game fishing and has already gained the support of many celebrity anglers including broadcaster Jeremy Paxman. The agenda includes controlling sand and gravel extraction from rivers and the seabed, preventing pollution and campaigning to stop farmed fish being allowed to escape into the wild. It will also press for increased funding to get young people interested in fishing as a way of controlling anti-social behaviour. Mark Lloyd, head of the new body, said it was needed because the pastime was represented by fragmented groups when what was needed was one powerful voice. Mr Lloyd said the trust has already had meetings with the fishing minister to discuss the matter. He said: "This is a barmy proposal that does not take into account the UK's specific circumstances. In Europe there are a lot of anglers fishing commercially but in the UK we do it for fun. It is a rule that is being brought in because it is appropriate for the Continent but it's not appropriate for the UK." |
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Wednesday 25th February 2009
Royal Dorset Yacht Club Weymouth Bylaw 16 Debate
As you will have seen in my news blog the motion (A proposal to change the SSFC 12 meter bylaw) was defeated unanimously at the meeting that we called in Weymouth today. The information provided by the chairman of the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Boatman's and Fisherman's Association Dave Pitman was crucial and once his view was made known not even I would have supported the motion.
Here then is a report on how the evening went, this report covers the main points and exchanges and is compiled from memory. I will have missed a few things for sure and apologise for this in advance
Councillor Alan Shotter (Former SSFC Chairman) opened the debate and invited me to introduce the motion and highlight the reasons I thought a change should be made. My main concern was being in favour of increasing the size allowed for RSA boats so that there would be more space for anglers and there gear this being beneficial from a safety point of view, also providing a more stable platform on which to fish and thus the likelihood of less tangles when fishing. There would also be a benefit for some of our local boat builders if the fleet were to be able to up grade to larger boats, which in the current economical climate had to be worth considering. The skippers/owners of these boats would then be able to offer more with there larger boats with for example the possibility of offering on board accommodation and thus provide package fishing holidays, most of which would take place out side of the SSFC district but there would be a need for them to be able to work within the district on a seasonal basis and during competitions. As my idea also involved some of the commercial operators, whom I had been lead to believe would benefit from a similar size increase I suggested that some of the points already made would apply.
The CFO was then invited to respond with his view and he started by telling us that he was in fact a fisheries manager not just a CFO and it was his job to advise the committee as to the best way in which to run the district, also he told us, that bylaw 16 was not correct as it was currently rule 17 and should be known as ‘Vessels Used in Fishing’ He went on to express that he had similar fears for this motion as he had for the proposal that was defeated last year, and explained the cost and procedure involved which if sufficient objections were raised that the whole issue could be taken as far as a public inquiry which would cost in the region of £100,000.
The chairman then opened the debate to the stakeholders in attendance and asked if any one would like to speak against the motion.
Dave Pitman then gave us the view of The Weymouth and Portland Licensed Boatman's and Fisherman's Association, which represent some 54 different stakeholders whose various business covers both RSA and commercial fishing. His main concern was that this bylaw had thus far provided a sustainable fishery and that should larger commercial boats, particularly those used for crabbing be allowed then it was likely, as had happened some years ago, prior to the current bylaw, that Channel Island or boats from outside the district would be able to move in and flood the area with pots thus taking the stock that was currently providing the local boats with a livelihood. He also told us that his association did not object to the original idea that was defeated a year ago.
Chris Caines (PBA) was then invited to speak and his view was that he was opposed to the motion as he felt that the original proposal of an amendment for rod and line was sufficient and sited the CFO of having lied to the committee in relation to procedure of making amendments and as a result the committee went on to vote the idea down. This caused some disquiet and the chairman intervened taking the point that Mr Caines made and challenged the CFO that from his recollection he was of a similar view and that as a result of the uncertainty he would investigate with DEFRA to establish if indeed Mr Caines had a valid point. However the chairman did not permit this topic to be discussed further as it was not what the debate was for and he then invited one of the four members of the committee who were in attendance to speak.
Terry Langford was up first with his interest being that of a commercial operator with three boats that operate along the majority of the south coast. He was to suggest that the changes to the bylaw in the motion did not go far enough and that he wanted a level playing field for all commercial sectors including a boat size increase for towed or trawled gear, stating that the practice was not as damaging as was being suggested. He told us that the trawling of mussel beds was sustainable as they were proven to recover within a twelve month period as had been the case proven by one of his three boats.
Then Richard Ferre who is the RSA representative on the committee gave his view supporting the stance that RSA charter boats should be able to have a size increase stating many of the points that I had put forward in his own unique way, this also included some points that had been covered regarding the defeat of the original proposal of last year, and he asked that the chair considered asking for a vote on the original proposal as well as the vote on the motion for the evening.
This lead to further input this time from Dave Gibson (PBA) who responded to the situation and comments from Richard and the CFOs comments about the judicial review that had resulted in the SSFC to not be able ‘for legal reasons’ enter into further discussions with the PBA. Dave explained the communication that he had with DEFRA regarding the bylaw changes previously mentioned this lead to the CFO suggesting that there may have been some confusion surrounding his advice to the committee to which the chairman Alan Shotter again assured every one would be looked into.
In closing the CFO talked about the problems he had with some web site reports, one in particular that suggested a huge amount of fish had been landed by a boat that had gone to sea for a twenty four hour trip producing a significant impact to the stock and that this catch had gone on to the market, and suggesting that this was a known practice.
I concluded that while the motion was surly about to be defeated in the vote, giving me a bloody nose that the idea of the debate had at the very least given every one a chance to air there views. I also pointed out that I had only put the motion up because I had been lead to believe that it would be wanted by the commercials as was suggested by the CFO in his report from last year.
The vote was then taken and as stated was unanimous to reject the motion.
Conclusion
There will no doubt be some fall out from this over the next few days/weeks, particularly with regard the comments made by Mr Caines and the subsequent investigation that the chairman has promised to follow up, by contacting DEFRA for clarification of procedure. We however will withdraw our plan to ask for an amendment to the bylaw at this time, in respect of the strength of the vote against the motion, and would like to thank all who attended what can honestly be described as a very useful meeting. |
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Dave Pitman |
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Chris Caines |
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Monday 2nd March 2009
Vessels used in fishing, the fall out
I have received a few telephone calls and e mails following our meeting in Weymouth and one question that has been raised by a few people who have been following this topic is 'What are the commercials that are over twelve meters going to do now?' Indeed, that is a very good question!
There are some fifteen commercial boats that currently operate in the SSF (Southern Sea Fishery) district have had modifications made to them since there first registration, while the owners of these boats have not reported the changes the MCA (Marine Coastguard Agency) as they are legally bound to do. It's a bit like if you improve or customize a car, you have to tell the DVLA or you could face prosecution under the road traffic act; Further more any changes will affect the insurance for cars and presumably the same will apply in the case of boats, not that I am suggesting that to be the case but with the wrong certification one can but wonder.
The MCA (Marine Coast Guard Agency) who issue certificates (registration documentation) which are used for, in the case of the twelve meter bylaw, to determine the overall length of a vessel (see definition at the foot of this posting) and presumably in all cases to determine the class of insurance, have confirmed that any modification to a vessel that is used in the day today operation of said vessel is considered by them to be permanent and should be reported, then on payment of a fee the MCA will re measure the boat and issue a new certificate giving a new overall length.
This will in some instances of these fifteen vessels mentioned bring the size of said boats to exceed twelve meters in overall length and thus these boats will no longer by able to fish within the SSF district while this bylaw remains unchanged.
Ironically could these be the same people who are criticizing Pat Carling (Channel Chieftain) for building a boat excess of twelve meters when he knew it could not be used in the SSF district, yet unlike him they are blatantly cheating the very same bylaw by failing to report the changes that they have made to there boats so that they can continue to work within the twelve meter rule.
One example of these fifteen boats, which we have inspected, has had improvements and now has an overall length beyond the bylaw limit of around one point two meters. This improvement enables it to service some three hundred crab pots during a normal day’s operation which is significantly more than would be the case with out the modification.
Why the commercials did not therefore support the motion at our meeting on Wednesday to amend the bylaw is beyond me.
Presumably they think that they have gone unnoticed even though this point has indeed been raised during the last twelve months by other parties, as well as us and it has now been confirmed by the MCA who no doubt will be looking into the situation.
I would have raised the matter at the meeting we had in Weymouth on Wednesday 25th February but I did not get a response from the MCA via there Cardiff office until Friday 27th February so without the conformation of said ruling I could not be sure that any reference would have been in order for me to make and equally could not defend any challenge the commercials may have put.
So the answer to the question ‘what are the commercials that are over twelve meters going to do now?' Quite likely they will seek a change to the bylaw that they have just rejected, we will have to wait and see.
Here is the ‘MCA Definitions of Overall length.’
“Overall length” means the distance in a straight line between the foremost part of the bow and the aftermost part of the stern. “Bow” includes the stem, forward bulkheads and any permanent fixtures thereto. “Stern” includes the transom and any trawl ramp bulwark and other permanent fixtures thereto but excludes the rudder and rudder post. |
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March 2009 E U Article 47 The Latest on the proposed changes that will affect us all
For those of you who don't know what article 47 is where have you been? Hibernating or some thing? Article 47 is a part of proposals currently being discussed by the members of the European Union in which consideration is being given as to what legislation should be imposed on Recreational Sea Anglers (RSAs) to become part of the fishing quota system that is currently in force for the commercial sector. Some species of fish (Cod Place Sole and Hake) are among those considered at risk and the commercial fishermen are restricted on how many they catch. Now the EU thinks the impact of RSA needs to be looked at and that some might have to be included.
Originally all RSAs were going to have to record there catch which would have to be deducted from the quota of, in our case the UK’s allowance, there has been a shift from this stand point which now excludes all shore and pier angling but the boats situation is still being discussed and is far from clear at this time.
The likely scenario is that Charter Boats are most at risk of inclusion as they are seen to be landing in some cases more than the quota allowed by similar sized commercial boats, in fact some of the smallest commercial boats have no quota for Cod while others can catch there allowance in just one or two days.
Now lets be clear about a few things firstly the over fishing that has brought about the need for quota is not the fault of RSA or the charter boats that serve those anglers. RSA is proven to be sustainable and on its own has no impact on fish stocks. The daily discard made by the larger trawlers is a far greater problem than the impact of the One Million anglers. It is estimated that the RSA catch is just 2% of the annual amount of fish landed in the UK where as the discard mentioned is more than 50% of what is landed. If the EU were to sort this out then along with the quota system our fish stock could recover in five to ten years.
The situation of the EU Article 47 has still some way to go before it can be considered dealt with and every sea angler should do there bit to help keep this from becoming law PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take just a few minutes to sign the 10 Downing Street Petition ref EEC Proposal Article 47 SIMPLY CLICK HERE and sign up. If you don't then Recreational Sea Angling could be a thing of the past with Charter Boats going out of business Tackle shops closing and none of it to do with the rescission.
And Finally For the adults among you with a scene of humour click here to see a very funny but politically incorrect view of what might happen should article 47 become law. |