Fathom: getting below the surface of the UK fishing industry.

For the premiere of the fourth series, CFPO CEO Chris Ranford and guest co-host Clive Palfrey, from Seafood Cornwall Training, who is Fathom’s in-house specialist on all things safety, are joined by Charles Blyth, the Risk, Safety & Training Lead at the NFFO. It’s been over two years since Fathom has recorded a safety-themed episode, and given the ever-shifting nature of health & safety regulation and new requirements on the horizon, it’s a really important topic to start on and a must-listen for anyone working onboard fishing vessels!
The fourth series of the Fathom podcast has been produced by the Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation (CFPO) with funding from The Seafarers’ Charity.

The new MCA code for fishing vessels under 12m, which was implemented in September 2021 and new regulations emanating from ILO188 has caused some apprehension as to what exactly fishermen need to do to remain compliant with the law. In this episode, Charles and Clive are on hand to help disentangle some of the complexities and answer some frequently asked questions arising from these new regulations, specifically focusing in on three areas: medical examinations, lifting equipment and enclosed spaces.
In regards to medical examinations, by November 2023, all fishermen will be required to hold a medical certificate, not just those out at sea for more than 72 hours. We’re taken through the two different options open to fishermen: the ENG1 which is regarded as a higher grade medical but can only be undertaken by an MCA-approved doctor, or the ML5, which is only applicable to inshore fishermen. We compare the benefits, shortfalls, practicalities and costs involved. Listen in to find out which one is more likely to suit you!
The conversation then pivots to safety, with our guests speaking to their experience travelling around quaysides and noticing an endemic of unmaintained lifting equipment. There’s a reminder of the importance of regular, close inspections and maintaining a proper paper-trail of all your machinery. Imminent changes to the rules around enclosed spaces are also discussed, with a focus on accessing support to stay ahead of compliance as the rule changes come into force in May.
The entire episode is a must-listen health & safety checklist, with the main message from our guests that fishermen should get themselves sorted now and to speak to organisations that can provide help. Seafit is one such organisation that can provide advice if you’re concerned about your health ahead of a medical examination. While broader advice about what you need to do to stay ahead of compliance and the grants available to help you do just that can be found by contacting the NFFO.

The Fathom podcast has partnered with The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) to produce a series of informative and highly topical episodes, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing UK fishermen in the post-Brexit landscape.

In our fifth and final episode of the series, NFFO CEO Barrie Deas and CFPO CEO Chris Ranford are joined by a series-record number of guests who include: Nathan de Rozarieux, a fisheries consultant and fisherman operating out of Cornwall, Merlin Jackson, a former inshore fisherman operating from the Thames estuary and currently a fishing liaison to the offshore wind industry and Colin Warwick, retired fisherman and chair of Far and Large Offshore Wind (FLOW). Our panel were on hand to help us explore the issue of spatial squeeze, giving an insight into how marine space has been swallowed up over the past twenty years, the concerning reality of future competition for space and what can be done now to ensure fishing grounds are protected.

“Spatial squeeze” is a concept that has become more prevalent in marine terminology over the past couple of decades. It refers to the increasing competition for space in the seas around our coasts, acknowledging the effect that new infrastructure such as offshore wind farms and marine protected areas are having on ever-shrinking fishing grounds.

The episode was timed with the release of a report by the NFFO. The report sought to reconcile local and regional snapshots of marine projects to date, and show predictions of further developments to create a national picture of spatial squeeze from past to present and how impending plans will see future space used. Barrie kicks things off with the report’s daunting prediction that in the best-case scenario, we will lose a third of our fishing grounds and in the worst, up to a half.

We then hear from Merlin and Colin who provide an overview of how we got here, with Merlin suggesting that the planning and licensing process was set up so that by the time fishing communities received an opportunity to contribute their thoughts or concerns on new offshore wind farms, it was too late to do anything about it. Similarly Colin argues that there isn’t a level playing field with the absence of any statutory requirement to consult fisheries in the same way as other statutory consultees on new marine developments.

Nathan gives us some insights on a project he worked on with energy developers and the Crown Estate, who own virtually all of the seabed in UK waters. This virtual planning exercise sought to explore how coexistence between offshore wind and fishing could work. Nathan’s conclusion was that there was a chasm between what was theoretically and practically possible in terms of fishing inside an offshore wind farm, and the practical difficulties were not being taken into account in the planning process.

The final part of the discussion centred on what the fishing community needed to do to ensure the survival and growth of the industry into the future. Here, there was broad agreement on exerting pressure on the government, the MMO and the Crown Estate to make both a cultural and statutory shift that would give fishermen a seat around the table in marine spatial planning. To do this, our panel agreed that there needed to be a concerted effort from the community to garner support from the public to the same degree as the Brexit campaign, and to build a recognition that food security needed to be taken as seriously as energy security.

The Fathom podcast has partnered with The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) to produce a series of informative and highly topical episodes, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing UK fishermen in the post-Brexit landscape. In this third episode, NFFO CEO Barrie Deas and CFPO CEO Chris Ranford are joined by Newlyn-based fisherman Andrew Pascoe as Fathom embarks on a series-first – a discussion centred around just one species of fish.

This episode takes a granular look at all of the past, present and future issues with sea bass, which is timely given that it is a frontrunner for a new fisheries management plan. DEFRA is currently seeking the industry’s views on this, and you can find out how you can get involved using this link.

Bass is a financially lucrative and reported by fishermen to be a widely available species. But due to a considerable amount of catch restrictions, and limits to catch authorisation, it has often been a subject of contention. In this episode, Andrew and Barrie discuss entitlements, and whether it looks like there might be some flexibility on the horizon now bass will have its own fisheries management plan.
We hear from Carl Davies, a fisherman working out of Conwy in Wales who spoke about the challenge he faced when stock levels of sea bass dropped, while also getting inundated with paperwork after upgrading his vessel. Carl would like to see “mini-entitlements” to be given so that inshore vessels, which are dependent on following seasonality, are provided with more options.

Mike Warner from A Passion for Seafood, based in Suffolk emphasises the importance of being able to use all methods available to catch bass when they’re in abundance and would like to see an up to date management procedure to that effect. Current rules are having a disastrous impact on east-coast fisheries and coastal communities, according to Mike, with new entrants struggling to find a way in.

Listen in to hear Barrie and Andrew’s response to these comments and questions in our bumper bass episode. And in the next episode, we’ll also be getting DEFRA to respond to some of these concerns.

LINKS

Fisheries management plan consultation

The Fathom podcast has partnered with The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) to produce a series of informative and highly topical episodes, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing UK fishermen in the post-Brexit landscape. In this second episode, NFFO CEO Barrie Deas and CFPO CEO Chris Ranford interview two Defra policy officials about a new piece of fishing legislation.

In this episode, we tackle the draft Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS), which is open for consultation from UK fishermen until 12th April. Not sure what the Joint Fisheries Statement is, or why it matters? You’re not alone!

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, fisheries management has undergone a number of big changes as we replace EU law with our own. In 2020, the UK Fisheries Act was passed in parliament. Then, in February this year, Scottish, Welsh, English and Irish fishing authorities drafted a Joint Fisheries Statement. This detailed document outlines exactly how the Fisheries Act will be delivered across these four authorities. Feedback on the draft document is now being sought from fishermen and other industry members as part of an open consultation.

To help break down this complex document, we are joined by Anne Freeman and Robbie Fisher from Defra. Hosts Barrie Deas and Chris Ranford ask them all the important questions - how can fishermen provide feedback on the JFS? What does the document actually mean for fisheries management? Will grassroots fishing communities be properly represented? Will the JFS be more flexible and adaptable than the unpopular Common Fisheries Policy that it replaces?

The Joint Fisheries Statement will affect all fishermen across the UK - so we encourage you to tune in, get clued up, then submit your thoughts to the consultation!

LINKS

CFPO digest on the Joint Fisheries Statement

Read the draft Joint Fisheries Statement here

Joint Fisheries Statement government consultation - send in your views here

Part 1: Fishy Filaments - Localised, Self-sustaining Solutions

In part one of this bumper marine plastics episode, we venture inside the genius mind of inventor and scientist, Ian Falconer. Ian is Director of Fishy Filaments, a company that recycles nylon fishing nets into engineering grade filament for 3D printing. Sounds complicated, but Ian explains the process from start to finish.

Based in the South-west, Fishy Filaments recycle around 50 tonnes of end of life gear (worked and worn out commercial fishing gear) each year - gear that would otherwise be incinerated or end up in landfill. Ian is an inspiring voice in the world of marine plastics - through Fishy Filaments’ unique approach, he’s found a localised, self-sustaining solution to recycling gear, that is both attractive to investors and works for the fishing industry.

In this fascinating interview, we explore the bizarre, pioneering world of low-carbon solutions - from nets made of genetically-modified yeast, to 3D-printed lobster pots. Prepare to have your mind blown!