Introduction to Sustainable Fishing 2018

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Programme

ISF2018 offered fishermen and other fisheries professionals an interactive 3-day immersion in to the world of fisheries science and management; a world that modern fishermen have to navigate well to be successful when faced with changing information and pressures. We focused on giving fishermen the tools they need to understand how fisheries science and management interact. Economic and market access also featured strongly, helping them to get the most from the fish they catch and land. 

Designed by fishermen, for fishermen, the programme gave fishermen a unique opportunity to explore and interrogate the processes involved in fisheries science and management. All participants were encouraged to share insights and build understanding with key people in the industry, away from the pressures of fishing. 21 fishermen and a team of fisheries professionals worked alongside each other to build a shared understanding of the issues in relevant inshore fisheries, discussing key policy, science and management issues of deep significance for the future of UK fisheries.

ISF2020 created a place where fishermen, scientists, managers and policy makers could listen to and talk with each other, telling it how it is. This knowledge exchange supports co-management in fisheries; no in-depth scientific knowledge or prior learning was needed – just an open mind and a willing spirit to participate.

Where?

ISF2018 took place in March 2018, at Dartington Hall, Devon:

To find out more about the programme, and to register your interest for future events, please contact:

Jim Masters (FitF) on 01803 659219 or 07900244507

David Stevens (fisherman, course moderator and FitF Chairman) 07774 752374

Peter Williams (fisherman, course moderator and FitF Trustee) 07714 276502

Mike Warner (SAGB, Seafood Writer, course moderator and FitF Trustee) 07885 287160

ISF 2018

Science 1: Setting the Scene (Carl O’Brien – Cefas)

Science 2: Fisheries Science Overview (Mike Kaiser – Bangor University)

Science 3: Fisheries Science in Practice (Mike Kaiser – Bangor University)

Science 4: Biological Sampling Programmes for Fin-fish and Shellfish (Rob Forster – Cefas)

Science 6a: Who’s Who in Fisheries Science (Hazel Curtis – Seafish)

Science 6: Stock Assessment “Master Class” (Carl O’Brien – Cefas)

Management 1: IFCA and Local Governance (Tim Robbins – D&SIFCA)

Management 2: EU and UK Annual Quota Negotiations (Andy Carroll – Defra)

Management 3a: Participation and Data – the South Devon Wrasse Fishery (Sarah Clark – D&SIFCA)

Management 3b: Participation and Data – the South Devon Whelk Fishery (Sarah Clark – D&SIFCA)

Economics 1: Economics and Social Science (Hazel Curtis – Seafish)

Economics 2: Improving Access to Markets (Andrew Pillar – Interfish)

Economics 3: Certification, FIPs and a flexible supply chain (Rhiannon Holden – Marine Stewardship Council)

Economics 4: Case Study – Cornish Sardine Fishery (Gus Caslake – Seafish)

Economics 5: Community Supported Fisheries Case Study (Chantelle Williams – Fresh from the Boat)

ISF2018

All images copywright Chris Martin, Harriet Yates-Smith and Jim Masters

FISHERMEN

Gives everyone here an equal playing field to talk to each other and couldn’t have come at a better time“.

Peter Williams – fisherman, Emsworth.

“An excellent programme: the involvement of decision-makers really works. We should have done this 40 years ago.”

Nigel Sanders, fisherman, South Wales.

“I will be telling fishermen this is definitely a course they should be attending – it puts them right in the picture”.

Donald Anderson – Fishermen, Oban.

“Every fisherman should go on a course like this before they go to sea”. 

Sam Potter, Fisherman, Exmouth.

“In the 34 years I’ve been a fisherman, we’ve never been taught how fisheries are managed, and how science interacts with the fishing. I’ve been waiting a long time for a course like this to come along, and it’ll make a real difference to the next generation of fishermen”.

 Mark Robertson – Fisherman, Fraserburgh.

CONTRIBUTORS

“This programme strips down the complexity of our systems to a level that fishermen on the deck can understand. Traditionally I had thought sharing meant sharing data, but in fact it is sharing understanding”.

Carl O’Brien, CEFAS.

“An outstanding programme, to see overall understanding grow over the course at an accelerated pace is quite something to witness.  Course participants engaging and , I fully hope and expect to see some of them as fishery representatives in the very near future, with  no apprehension in doing so.  I always try and prioritise my time to engage with participants, in my opinion this course value and its outputs can’t be under estimated”.  

Allan Gibb, Marine Scotland.

“What was most apparent … was the change in demeanour across the three days. The most revealing comment at the end of the sessions, came from one fisher who put it very simply “this training should be mandatory for anyone stepping on to a fishing boat”. This will become more prevalent as we move in to a truly sustainable fisheries regime post EU Exit as set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and Fisheries White Paper”.

Mark Duffy, Principal Advisor Fisheries, Natural England).

“The opportunity to be deeply involved in the planning and delivery of the Business of Fishing workshops has been one of the most unique and inspiring parts of my career as a fisheries scientist. It’s actually quite rare that scientists get the chance to talk directly with fishermen and share their knowledge. And when they do, they learn too, and we are all better for it. FitF offers an interactive immersion in to the world of science and management. A world that modern fishermen have to navigate well to be successful when faced with changing information and pressures. FitF creates a space where fishermen, scientists, managers and policy makers alike get to hear it direct from one another. It’s meaningful and engaging. No-one else is offering anything like it. So, get behind it so your people can benefit too.” 

Steve Mackinson, Fisheries Scientist, Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’a Association.

“Fishing is a complex business and science is pivotal. This course puts the science and management of fisheries into context”.

Derek Cardno – Scottish Fishermen’s Federation.