The UK's marine reserves are nothing but paper parks

Facts about the English fishing industry (Offshore and inshore taken from a Natural England Report) Sea fisheries: Steps to sustainability

Total UK vessel landings in 2007 were 610,000 tonnes of fish (including shellfish)
with a value of £645 million. There was between £800-£1,200 million of associated economic activity in 2007

In 2008 consumers in Great Britain (at retail outlets only) bought over 385,000 tonnes of
seafood

It is widely accepted that there are fewer fish in the sea than 100 years ago

Reports from 2007 showed that only a quarter of the 20 UK fish stocks assessed
were at full reproductive capacity and harvested sustainably

The number of fishermen in England has decreased by nearly a third since 1997 to stand at 5,589 in 2007

Fishing gear can impact significantly upon marine habitats. For example, cold water corals and reef-forming species can be severely damaged if heavy gear is towed across them

90% of consumers are more likely to buy seafood that is labelled as ‘environmentally responsible’

All member states at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development undertook to meet Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) for fisheries by 2015. MSY is simplistically the largest catch that can theoretically be taken over an unlimited period

The Inshore Fishery

3,800 registered vessels operate inshore in England & Wales

Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) in England will replace the existing Sea Fisheries Committees on 1st April 2011

Some future recommendations for the inshore zone

‘Net Benefits’ A sustainable and profitable future for UK fishing March 2004 - Cabinet Office Strategy Unit

Recommendation 6: Fisheries departments should focus on support for the development of the inshore/shellfish industry to take advantage of its large growth opportunities

Recommendation 15: Fisheries departments should reform inshore fisheries management and give a focus on developing the sector,including explicit management of recreational sea angling interests.Including the sub paragraphs;a) The inshore fisheries management system in England and Wales needs to be modernised and strengthened.b) Fishing access and use rights inside the 12-mile limit should be better defined to safeguard the sector’s future.

Fishing methods

The following links tells you briefly how different fishing methods work

MSC Link

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

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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