North Sea fishing is one of the most regulated in world!
IN reply to the article by Chloe Tye, far from being the least regulated, in actual fact the UK's fisheries are probably the most regulated and monitored in the world.
The truth of the matter is that all UK fishing vessels (except small inshore boats) are monitored via satellite 24 hours a day.
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In addition, we have to report to government as we sail and what gear types will be used.
Every day we have to report how much and what species of fish has been caught that day.
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Before being allowed to return to port the amount and type of fish caught and estimated time of arrival to port has to be reported to government.
Most Grimsby vessels also have 24-hour CCTV catch monitoring and recording on board.
All fisheries are routinely patrolled by fishery protection vessels and spotter planes!
If we are boarded we have to produce proof that we have sufficient quota to match the catch on board.
As for fishing stocks, most North Sea quotas are being increased year on year as stocks continue to dramatically improve.
North Sea cod breeding stock biomass has increased six-fold in the last six years. The reasons for this are due to a decrease in fishing effort (ie fewer fishing boats and days at sea restrictions) along with fishing scientist advice and bigger net meshes and escape panels.
Technology doesn't catch fish. Experienced fishermen aided by technology that hasn't advanced that much in latter years catch fish!
The very good news is that if consumers want fish sourced from a highly-regulated and increasingly sustainable fishery, insist that your fish comes from British North Sea fishing boats!
Martin Brydges, Skipper Fruitful Harvest GY991, Ings Lane, Covenham St Mary.
The Telegraph says
If only all fishing countries in the world played as fair when it comes to rules!
Comments
by Codgirl
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 6:31PM
“I wholeheartedly agree with Skipper Brydges comments. I have grown up with the local fishing industry and worked in it for over 25 years.
In that time I have seen governments pile agony on our once proud fishing fleet. This agony has been based on inaccurate science provided by scientists who wouldn't know their stem from their stern - to put it politely.
There has never been any real time assessment of the regulations effects before the next set of quota cuts, days-at-sea restrictions and closed areas were introduced.
Consequently, fishermen have been driven out of business and communities have suffered as a result. Furthermore, because of the heavy burden of regulations now borne by the fishing industry! It struggles to attract new blood to become the fishermen and boat owners of the future.
The very least the British public should do is to demand British caught North Sea fish on their tables. Let's support our brave trawler men ....while we still have some left!”