9.2fisheries TIT BONHOMME

Stock sustainability placed firmly at the core of new fisheries management deal

The reformed Common Fisheries Policy brokered in the latter stages of Ireland’s presidency of the EU will steer a course for fisheries management for the next ten years.

The policy is being heralded as ‘practical and implementable’, based on the principle of sustainability and will see an end to overfishing of most stocks by 2015 and all stocks by 2020.

9.2fisheries TIT BONHOMME

What can be learnt from the sinking of MFV Tit Bonhomme with the loss of five fishermen?

First and foremost, the loss of five fishermen following the sinking of MFV Tit Bonhomme in Glandore Harbour on January 15, 2012, is an appalling tragedy, for the families, the local community and the fishing industry at large.

The events of the two-day fishing trip for whitefish/prawns off the south coast that ended so tragically in the early hours of that fateful Sunday morning are recalled by the sole surviving witness, Egyptian national, Abdelbaky Abelgawad in the report of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board published in March.

The function of the MCIB is to carry out investigations into marine casualties that occur in Irish waters or involve Irish registered vessels. Its main purpose is to establish the cause or causes of an incident with a view to making recommendations to the Minister for Transport to avert future marine casualties. It is not the purpose of the investigation to attribute blame or fault.

Fishing community of Kayar, Senegal. Literally millions of people eke out a living from the sea, risking life and limb in frail craft to reap a meagre harvest. Photos ICSF

International Guidelines for Small scale fisheries: the long road to recognition

Brian O'Riordan, ICSF

In 1979, anticipating the establishment of 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), Eduard Souma the then Director General of FAO, speaking at the 13th Session of the FAO’s Committee on Fisheries (COFI), highlighted that: ‘Literally millions of people eke out a living from the sea, risking life and limb in frail craft to reap a meager harvest...The challenge we face is to provide a setting for something better than a new colonialism of the sea.

Fishing community of Kayar, Senegal. Literally millions of people eke out a living from the sea, risking life and limb in frail craft to reap a meagre harvest. Photos ICSF

Fishing community of Kayar, Senegal,. Literally millions of people eke out a living from the sea, risking life nad limb in frail craft to reap a meagre harest. Photo ICSF

‘New fisheries can be built as indigenous industries on traditional bases, particularly the small-scale or artisanal fisheries. They can grow without social disruption, without pollution, without most of the painful side effects associated with over-zealous industrial development. The skills are available, the technology is within reach, the opportunity needs only to be grabbed. Let us do so now.’

9.2fisheries TIT BONHOMME

Stock sustainability is central to new fisheries management deal

The reformed Common Fisheries Policy brokered in the latter stages of Ireland’s presidency of the EU will steer a course for fisheries management for the next ten years.

The policy is being heralded as ‘practical and implementable’, based on the principle of sustainability and will see an end to overfishing of most stocks by 2015 and all stocks by 2020. Central to the reform package is the introduction of a discard ban which has been the clarion call of the general public and celebrity personalities in their demand that the practice of dumping huge quantities of fish at sea must end.

9.2 fisheries Behavorial economics1

How behavioral economics could save both the fishing industry and the oceans

Eric Pooley  

It's frightening enough that 87% of the world's assessed fisheries are fully or over-exploited. But it is even scarier to consider how little we know about the condition of most of the world's fisheries, because four-fifths of them have never been scientifically assessed. A recent study in the journal Science is providing fresh insights into thousands of fisheries where data has not been previously available. These "data poor" fisheries make up 80% of the world's catch — and many are on the brink of collapse.

Despite the dire news, there is a bright spot in the study. The authors conclude that the ocean is nowhere near a lost cause and with the right management tools, the abundance of fish could increase by 56%. In some places, the study says, fisheries yields could more than double.

9.2 fisheries Behavorial economics1

This isn't just a big deal for the fish. As the authors of the Science study write, "When sustainably managed, marine fisheries provide food and livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people worldwide." So what's the key to seeing such a rebound become reality? An approach to overseeing fisheries known as rights-based management, or catch shares.

9.2fisheries TIT BONHOMME

Fatigue is challenged as a reason behind the sinking of MFV Tit Bonhomme and loss of five lives

Gillian Mills

The Board of Directors of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (IS&WFPO) is challenging the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) investigation report into the sinking of MFV Tit Bonhomme on January 15, 2012 which states, inter alia, that ‘the single overriding causal factor is considered to be insufficient rest for the crew and that regulations on hours of work and rest appear not to be have been complied with.

‘This resulted in fatigue and inadequate watchkeeping arrangements on board the vessel and it steamed into and stranded on Adam’s Island during the hours of darkness in poor weather conditions and this resulted in the five of the six persons on board losing their lives.’

9.2fisheries TIT BONHOMME
Photo: N Dully

The ISWFPO however challenges this comment: ‘The MCIB themselves acknowledge in the report: “In the circumstances, it is difficult to ascertain accurately the crew rest period arrangements during the trip”.’

9.2fisheries TIT BONHOMME

Networking to bolster the European brown crab industry

The Atlantic Crab Resource Users Network (ACRUNET), funded by INTERREG IVB Atlantic Area Transnational Programme to the tune of €2.2m was launched in October by Kieran Calnan, Chairman of BIM.

The 15 partners representing Ireland; the United Kingdom; France; Spain and Portugal subsequently met to map out a work programme to ensure a viable, sustainable and profitable future for the brown crab industry Europe-wide.

9.2fisheries TIT BONHOMME

Netalgae project ends but leaves foundation for sustainable European seaweed industry

Máirtín Walsh, BIM

The Netalgae project held its final project conference in San Sebastien Spain in November, having completed the assembly of a European seaweed industry database, trade directory and website. It has also put forward ‘best practise’ guidelines for the management and regulation of Europe’s seaweed industries.

The conference covered access to raw materials; aquaculture; best practices for harvesting; and the potential for new, value-added products from seaweed, and was well attended by European delegates from small and large businesses.  Ireland was represented companies including Arramara Teo; Ocean Harvest Technology; Cybercolloids as well as the Irish Seaweed Research Group at NUI Galway.

9.2fisheries TIT BONHOMME

Protest against new salmon farm in Bantry Bay

Brian Moore

Known worldwide as the salmon farm industry’s ‘public enemy number one’, Don Staniford was in Bantry, Co Cork recently to offer his support to the Save Bantry Bay (SBB) committee as they resist plans for a new salmon farm in Bantry Bay.

Marine Harvest Ireland is currently awaiting permission from the Department of the Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to begin constructing a 14 cage salmon farm at a site just off Shot Head in Bantry Bay.

Speaking at a protest meeting, Mr Staniford urged the people of Bantry to resist any attempt to develop more salmon farming businesses in the bay.