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