The National Federation of Fisherman's Organisations (NFFO), the body representing fishermen's groups, individual fishermen and producers' organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has overwhelmingly rejected forthcoming claims by Greenpeace, criticising how the industry is represented.
The NFFO has learned the environmental campaigning group is planning to issue what it calls "inaccurate and misrepresentative information", running a real risk of harming an industry that is now sustainably aware and scientifically based, and in a way that would cost jobs, damage the wider economy and threaten future consumer supply.
The claims set to be made by Greenpeace, allege that NFFO membership includes 57 per cent of foreign investment and that in a letter to the EU Commission, the NFFO has urged the body to exclude smaller, inshore fisherman's groups from Europe's Regional Advisory Councils (RACs). Both claims have been branded by the UK industry federation as "totally inaccurate", "misrepresentative" and "propaganda-driven".
In fact, current membership information for the NFFO shows only 8% of member vessels are owned outside the UK, ensuring strong representation from the home fishing industry, with the organisation having a broad representation of vessel sizes both within the body and on its central lobbying committee. At present, 66% of member fishing vessels are below 15 metres, and 40% are below 10 metres – the standard categorisation for small, local, inshore craft.
NFFO officials acknowledge the difficulty ensuring a strong voice for small scale fishermen. But in its widely circulated letter to the Commission – available to download from its website (www.nffo.org.uk) – it puts forward a range of positive suggestions to remedy the position within a reformed Common Fisheries Policy, including outreach work to areas of the small-scale fleet currently under-represented.
The body does, however, warn against the dangers of self-appointed, unrepresentative industry groups, which it says run the risk of division and misrepresentation of the sector.
NFFO Chairman, Paul Trebilcock, also Chief Executive of the Cornish Fish Producers' Organisation, said: "Greenpeace has, in the past, been applauded by the industry for campaigns against illegal fishing and human rights abuse of crew, but this report appears quite desperate in its efforts to create and exploit divisions in our industry. Fortunately there seem to be few fishermen who buy into their propaganda. The truth is that the NFFO and many others in the industry share a goal of sustainability and are working hard to achieve it.
Read the full story at FishNewsEU>>
Callifornia crabbing: Here's a fun video shot on the decks of the Majestik while catching Dungeness crab off the coast of northern California.
Alaska fisherman and commercial fisheries activist Kevin Adams was elected chairman at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute board of directors meeting on May 9 in Anchorage.
The governor-appointed board consists of seven members: five seafood processors and two industry representatives actively engaged in commercial fishing. Adams was appointed to fill a harvester seat by Gov. Frank Murkowski in 2004.
With 38 years of fishing experience in Bristol Bay, Adams has long been an active member in the Alaska fishing industry, ASMI says. He has worked for both the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation and the Bering Sea Fisherman's Association, and represents Alaska fishermen on numerous boards.
The Northeast Regional Planning Body, a group of state, tribal and federal representatives from New England who are working to implement the National Ocean Policy and address critical New England ocean issues, is holding a series of public meetings in May and June.
The meetings are being held to discuss draft regional ocean planning goals and associated potential actions. The planning body seeks input on these goals and actions. Additional information on the group's progress can be found here.
The meetings will also provide an opportunity to review draft maps and products from initial efforts to gather information on the natural resources and diverse uses of the ocean, including fishing, transportation, energy and infrastructure, aquaculture, and recreation.
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