The UK's marine reserves are nothing but paper parks

What is it?

The Coast Friendly Initiative and logo has been developed and will be marketed to provide individual local fishermen and fish suppliers with the opportunity to sell their fish under basic environmental credentials that support the conservation of the coastal environment. This logo may be used to allow the fisher to highlight their produce as local, good for the coast and potentially provide an opportunity for a premium price or niche sales to be commanded, because of its stronger environmental credentials. It also makes it easier for buyers to make an informed environmental choice for their local coastal area. It is currently a concept being discussed with fishing businesses and relates strongly to the Sussex inshore fishery. Find out more at the link below:

www.coastfriendly.co.uk

Are you a fisher, a fishmonger or a restaurant selling fish dishes?

Do you think you might be able to work with and use the Coast Friendly logo and principles?. Contact us to discuss this idea further on the contact page or telephone;

07891 555694 (ask for Peter)

How can it help the environment?

Basically by supporting less damaging fishing methods in the coastal zone. The draft criteria for 'coast friendly' accredited inshore fishermen, using the logo (in addition to the existing local Sea Fisheries Committee's local byelaws and other legislation) are;

'Coast Friendly' Fishers

Fish must only be caught by vessels under 10 metres long and licenced to fish for profit. They must set out to sea and return on the same day. They must not beam trawl or pair trawl at any time, anywhere.

'Coast Friendly' Fishmongers, suppliers, restaurants

Another and probably the main use of the 'Coast Friendly' logo could be to highlight and promote those outlets that are using fish caught according to the 'Coast Friendly' scheme. These will be shown (eventually) on the fishfinder section of this web site. These must have at least 10% of their fish considered Coast Friendly and seek to use more over time.

More information

The Coast Friendly Scheme is described in more detail explaining the background and reasons behind it on its own web site at; www.coastfriendly.co.uk

TAKE ACTION FOR FISH SAKE

Buy local inshore
day caught fish

Avoid otter, beam and pair trawlers

Avoid fish breeding seasons

Try some alternative fish to help create new demand

Ask for MSC labelled fish

Look for Fish4Ever tinned fish

Buy cat food made from sustainable fish

Ask fish & chip shops to join the mackerel mission

Download the Fish Fight app

Support for this idea

Sustainable Access to Inshore Fisheries (SAIF) Advisory Group
Steps towards sustainable inshore fisheries; Proposition Paper, 21 January 2010

"Scientific evidence indicates that much of the inshore fishing has a lower impact on fish stocks and the marine environment than larger „sector‟ boats. Any changes to the system we have now must make sure a diverse range of fish and shellfish stocks are harvested sustainably, and that the wider marine environment is protected."

"Provide consumers with a sustainable, local, product, supporting food security;

The inshore fleet has the potential to provide a wide variety of different fin fish and shellfish species caught from boats with a smaller environmental footprint (e.g. low fuel usage) providing a sustainable high quality, day-caught product to wholesalers, retailers, food service and customers, both locally and further afield. By promoting these unique qualities, small scale fishers should get maximum value for their catch, thus benefiting themselves and local communities."

"It is clear that there is a missed opportunity around more environmentally sustainable and/or high quality fish potentially commanding higher prices. At the moment, whilst there is some evidence that environmentally certified fish can secure greater access to key outlets and/or higher prices, this is inconsistent across the country, and across different markets. Quality, standards, traceability, brand awareness and promotion all play a contributory role here"

The use of the 'Coast Friendly' logo could support the marketing and awareness of inshore fish and its more environmentally friendly methods of capture, possibly commanding higher prices and creating more demand.

Other fishing methods are still needed

Although the Coast Friendly Scheme is promoting and supporting the purchase and use of local inshore fish not caught by beam and pair trawls, these methods used by larger boats do allow supplies to be more consistent in times of bad weather. Smaller boats are more vulnerable to weather conditions. So this is not about avoiding these methods totally, if you must eat fish then get it, but make all efforts to get the coast friendly fish first, you can create demand by asking for it.

Goodfish belives that high quality blast frozen fish (of certain species) could help overcome the issue of consistent supply in times of bad weather, but customers need to be convinced of the quality - a piece of work to be done!

If your business uses locally caught fish, from small boats that do not beam, pair or otter trawl, then the 'Coast Friendly' Initiative may be for you! Click here to find out about the trial that you could be part of.

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