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

One year ago, we recorded our first ever episode live at the Future of Our Inshore Fisheries Conference. This landmark, inclusive event saw active fishermen, industry leaders, policy makers, regulators, researchers and a number of environmental groups come together in one place, to discuss the future management of the UK’s Inshore Fisheries. 

This was a vital opportunity for real grassroots knowledge-sharing, where inshore fishermen were able to share their expertise and experience of fishing in the UK. There was an incredible energy in the room and an undeniable excitement around the possibility of collaborative action and change. Five key themes emerged, including co-management and collaborative science, resulting in a comprehensive report and action plan. 

Now, a year later, we look back at this extraordinary moment with key members of the working group - Barrie Deas of the NFFO and Anne Freeman of Defra - to ask about what’s changed and see where we are now. In this upbeat and optimistic conversation, we ask Barrie and Anne how they feel about the elephant in the room - the global pandemic - and how this curveball has affected progress. 

“This year was always going to be really hard, because of EU negotiations and preparation for the end of the Transition Period”, Anne states, “None of us foresaw Covid at that point and the terrible impacts that would have on the industry as a whole - particularly the inshore and the shellfish sector. But I think all this work that we have been doing has been really useful in helping the government to understand the sectors in more detail.”

Whilst there has been a delay in concrete, tangible progress, both guests point out that the year has seen a vital step in relationships being built between policy and industry, with the collaborative and communicative nature of the conference carving a clear pathway for future work. 

“Covid has been a good example of co-management in the raw,” highlights Barrie. “The financial support package didn’t just fall out of the sky, it had to be fought for. It was a good example of the regulators and industry working together, on the basis of good information. That’s the essence of co-management!” 

We reflect on how the energy and enthusiasm of last year’s conference might be re-mobilised after such a difficult year, ask what the Steering Group are doing, moving forward, for inshore fisheries, and discuss complex issues such as the Fisheries Bill, co-management, and quota allocation. 

“What we’re doing here, at the moment, is creating a framework that will help us move forward”, explains Barrie. “We are making sure an inshore voice is heard, in everything we do”, continues Anne. It is key for fishermen to stay engaged in these discussions: at the heart of the conference was the need for industry-led change. Tune in for an update! 

Fathom guests 

Anne Freeman, Deputy Director, Domestic Fisheries and Reform, Defra
Barrie Deas, CEO, NFFO 

Relevant links
Future of Our Inshore Fisheries Report

As summer fades over the horizon and the crisp autumnal months begin to settle in, we take this transitional moment as an opportunity to take our busy Fathom schedule back to the quayside and touch base with the CFPO and our co-host Paul Trebilcock, to reflect and forecast. 

We answer an array of fishermen's questions that have been bouncing around the quayside in recent weeks, focusing primarily on the turbulent political climate. As key changes such as the Fisheries Bill are seemingly being left down to the wire, our listeners would not be blamed for having questions about the future. 

Wondering how Brexit is really going to pan out for the industry? Questioning what the three year transition period will look like? Want to know whether there is room for new measures to help maintain sustainable fish stocks? Curious about potential and emerging fisheries, such as Bluefin Tuna in the southwest? Speculating on what the industry might look like in 20 years? You are not alone.

Tune is we have a crack at answering some of your burning industry-specific questions -  it’s time for a reality check! 

Fathom Hosts 

Paul Trebilcock
Chris Ranford 

If you have been tuned in to the discussion on social media, it will not come as news to you that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have launched an open consultation on the revised small vessel code, MSN 1871. 

The new Code of Practice will affect all fishing vessels of less than 15m in length and, with a focus on safety, arrives at a critical moment when a great deal of attention is being brought to the fatalities suffered on small vessels over the years. 

The objectives are twofold: to reduce the number of lives lost at sea by improving safety standards on small fishing vessels, and to align these standards more closely with small commercial vessels and workboats. The newly proposed requirements span topics from watertight integrity, to electrical installations and man overboard recovery. 

In this comprehensive and incredibly useful episode, we hear from two of the most knowledgeable and experienced experts on practical safety. 

We first speak to Roger Gee, principal consultant surveyor at the MCA, to help us to unpick the lengthy draft code and reveal what these changes will mean for the small-scale fleet. We then talk with Clive Palfrey, Regional Safety Advisor at Seafood Cornwall Training and previous fisherman himself, who shares some practical guidance for the industry. 

This is what Fathom is all about: getting below the surface of complex fishing regulations. There is still time to engage in the open consultation and it is integral that all voices are heard, to ensure that the code works for the industry. By making the discussion transparent we hope to encourage as many fishermen as possible to contribute. 

Fathom hosts
Chris Ranford 
Paul Trebilcock 

Fathom guests 
Roger Gee, Principal Consultant Surveyor at the MCA 
Clive Palfrey, Regional Safety Advisor at Seafood Cornwall Training 

Links
MCA Small Vessel Code consultation 

“The last straw came when all the fishermen working on the quay were given a letter to vacate the site, clear all our gear off, as they wanted to build housing… so we decided… rather than sell this land to a developer, can the fishermen buy it?”

This is a story of how a strong, self-organised community of fishermen in the southeast stood up against the gentrification of their harbour. The Eastbourne fishermen, with the help of the New Economics Foundation (NEF), have been innovatively accessing an array of funds and garnering public and political support to secure their future through the Fishing Quay project. The project is finally coming to fruition following years of setbacks, hard work and grassroots action.

This story paints a bigger picture, and we frame this episode of Fathom within a discussion of fisheries funds. Government grant mechanisms have long been relied upon by the industry, to improve safety and sustainability, develop landing sites, auctions and marketing, modernise harbours… the list goes on. However, with the remaining Maritime and Fisheries Fund (MFF) being diverted to COVID-19 related support, and with Brexit drying up the EU support package, the industry has been left without a live grant scheme. Long term, strategic grant systems are vital to help fishermen ride the wave of changes brought about by a tumultuous year. 

Whilst DEFRA and the MMO work on a new funding programme, with a promised launch in 2021, this Fathom episode provides some guidance on how the industry can best make the most of this lull in funding.  This is the time to reflect and assess, to think about how the industry can use future funds to become more resilient, and to design novel, local projects to best channel these funds. The Eastbourne case is just one story. 

The episode also includes a quick update from the MMO, and a useful explanation of credit unions and the role they can play in unlocking grant schemes. Tune in for inspiration! 

Fathom host
Chris Ranford 

Fathom guests
Graham Doswell (Eastbourne Fishermen’s CIC) 
Chris Williams (NEF) 

Links 

Eastbourne Fishermen’s CIC

Light on the Horizon: The Story of the Eastbourne Fishing Quay 

Graham’s Story: How a Community Took Control

Fishing Animateur 

Credit Unions 

Women play an integral role across the seafood supply chain - from caring in fishing families, to policy, net fixing, processing and catching. But why do we know so little about them? Why do their voices remain relatively ‘invisible’, and why does the industry remain male-dominated? 

Whilst only scratching the surface, this episode creates the space for women in fishing to share their stories and experiences. Our all-female line-up, interviewed by Harriet Yates-Smith, includes three incredible women, from fisherwomen to researchers. 

We first speak to Madeleine Gustavsson, lead researcher at the Women in Fisheries project. She tells us of the in-depth, qualitative research she has conducted with women working in seafood, in order to understand women’s roles, identities and sense of wellbeing in the industry. 

Importantly, we explore the ‘culture’ of fishing and the tendency to under-value women’s work and explore ways to overcome this. 

Madeleine has unearthed stories of ‘fish entrepreneurs’ - women making space for themselves in a male-dominated industry by developing innovative processing practices and unique marketing ideas. We also talk of fishing families, whose lives are shaped by ‘the rhythms of fishing … the tides, the weather, the seasons,’ as Madeleine beautifully puts it. 

The podcast also includes insightful conversations with two fisherwomen - Ashley, based in Wells-next-the-Sea who calls herself ‘The Female Fisherman on Instagram shares an honest and enthusiastic account of her days out at sea. Jamie, a fifth-generation salmon fisherwoman in rural Alaska talks of set-netting, caring for children, history, and the legacy of her great grandmothers’ fishing knowledge. 

Tune in for uplifting, thought-provoking and funny conversations surrounding women and the fishing industry - an important listen for all genders and all ages, and an important step in developing a network of fishing females. 

Fathom hosts: 

Harriet Yates-Smith

Fathom guests: 

Dr Madeleine Gustavsson - lead researcher on Women in Fisheries project 

Ashley Mullenger - fisherwoman in Wells-next-the-Sea

Jamie O'Connor - fisherwoman in Alaska 

Links 

Women in Fisheries
Women in Fisheries policy brief
Women in Fisheries Facebook page
Women in Fisheries Facebook group (women in fisheries only)

We release this episode of Fathom on International Youth Day, to celebrate and share the hard work, creativity and forward-looking energy of CFPO Youth Board, who over the past year have been helping to lay the groundwork for the first-ever Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship Standard. 

The world can be a daunting and uncertain place for young people leaving school. For those with hands-on skills, the education system in the UK often feels geared toward academia and university, offering little vocational support for those seeking practical careers such as fishing. Meanwhile, the fishing industry is experiencing a dearth of young entrants: the average age of a fisherman is 57. 

In Episode 22, podcast hosts Paul and Chris revisit the Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship Standard being created by the CFPO and its Youth Board, in partnership with the Institute for Apprenticeships. Work on the apprenticeship began in September of 2019 and is now well beyond the halfway mark, with Youth Board members currently exploring possibilities for an end-point assessment. 

We explore the organic, collaborative, and on-the-ground process that has gone on behind the scenes to ensure the apprenticeship is rooted in the needs of the industry, rather than simply handed down from above. Both young and old have had their voices heard, from vessel owners with years of experience at sea, to 14-year-olds who are leaving school ripe with aspirations and concerns for the future. 

The episode also features interviews with two young successful fishermen, Brax and Joel, who share their stories and experiences of the fishing industry. Whilst Brax worked his way up to be a vessel owner and skipper at a young age, he shares his thoughts on the financial, cultural and practical barriers that prevent young people from fishing.  

Fishing has traditionally been handed down through generations, but as the world moves away from professions rooted in family and birthplace, and leaving school at 16 is no longer an option, the apprenticeship represents a pivotal, crucial opportunity by carving out a clear pathway for young people to start a fishing career. 

‘The future of fishing is dependent on young people coming through and taking over,’ says podcast host Chris, ‘Without that next generation of skippers the future won’t be great. But hearing the enthusiasm from the work we’re doing on this apprenticeship scheme, the future looks bright.’ 

Fathom hosts

Paul Trebilcock
Chris Ranford

Fathom guests
Brackan Pearce, skipper in Newlyn 
Joel Dunn

Links
CFPO Youth Board
Apprenticeship Press Release 

The government responded swiftly to the maelstrom of Covid-19, with a broad sweep of financial support schemes for the fishing industry. Coastal towns are beginning to bustle, and things are starting to feel ‘normal’ again. However, some people have inevitably fallen through the gaps, with smaller industry members - from self-employed share-fishermen and fishermen under employment contracts, to vessel owners - facing a great deal of uncertainty. 

This episode is in rapid response to a joint press release sent out this week, by the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation (NFFO), the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) and the Fishermen’s Mission. The statement anticipates ‘tough months ahead’, as government support dries up, the reality of widespread debt begins to set in, and a second wave looms in threatening anticipation. These key organisations have collectively committed to supporting vulnerable members of the fishing industry, who are facing personal struggles and business losses. 

We are joined by the three incredibly prominent figures responsible for the press release - Barrie Deas CEO of the NFFO, Elspeth Macdonald CEO of the SFF, and David Dickens, CE of Fishermen’s Mission. In this dynamic group conversation, we unpick the commitments stated in the press release, as well as explore the reality of fishermen’s experiences of lockdown across both Scotland and England. 

Importantly, David reveals details of the ‘one stop shop’ that Fishermen’s Mission will be operating, for all matters relating to the welfare and well-being of fishermen and their families. Contactable by Freephone, landline, email or social media, this hub will act as a single point of contact to help fishermen navigate the complex tangle of support available in the wake of Covid-19 - a daunting and confusing task if done alone. 

Fathom hosts

Paul Trebilcock

Chris Ranford

Fathom guests

Barry Deas CEO of NFFO

Elspeth Macdonald CEO of SFF

David Dickens CE of Fishermen's Mission


Episode links

Press release
The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations website
Fishermen's Mission website
Scottish Fishermen's Federation website

‘All fishermen know the job is dangerous… it’s nice to keep it in your mind that there are people who care about you at home… rather than, you need to wear your lifejacket, you need to do this, you need to do that!’ Ben, skipper at Newlyn 

This week is a special episode of Fathom to celebrate and share #MaritimeSafetyWeek, #SeafarersWeek and the launch of a powerful new fishing safety campaign, #HomeandDry. We have taken this opportunity to have a conversation with not one, but five people from across the industry, getting to grips with what safety means, and how the difficult, sometimes tiresome topic of safety should be talked about. 

We have collated all interviews into one podcast, a wonderful collection of conversations which you can sail through and catch snippets of emotion, experience and expertise from the quayside. We kick off with Fathom host and the CFPO Chief Exec Paul Trebilcock, who explores the positive changes happening within the industry. We then speak to Dave Driver, a skipper from Brixham, a man who’s time at sea has witnessed the loss of close friends. 

Importantly, campaigning for safety awareness within the fishing industry does not have to be a story of fear, danger, risk and rules. The new and compelling #HomeandDry campaign, which has been crafted from extensive research conducted with fishermen, tells quite a different story - one of home, community, family and love. Our interview with skipper Ben from the Real Cornish Crab Company highlights a heartwarming and important message, that fishermen go to sea and arrive home safe for those who love them. 

Roger Gee of the MCA offers a glimpse at a new code that will improve the safety of fishing vessels, and urges anyone to get in touch with suggestions. We also hear from Patch Harvey, Cox of the famous Penlee lifeboat, who shares some life-changing advice on keeping your crew trained and prepared at sea. By weaving together these voices, we tell a bigger story of fishing: one of pride, preparation and community.

#HomeAndDry
homeanddry.uk 

Learning, adapting and becoming more self-reliant has been the talk of the town in the wake of both Brexit and COVID-19. How might the fishing industry, and more specifically producer organisations (POs) take on this motif? 

In this episode of Fathom, we talk to Chief Executive of the Anglo North Irish Fish Producers Organisation (ANIFPO), Alan McCulla (OBE). Alan’s lifetime in the fishing industry has seen him through highs and lows, taken him to fish exhibitions across the Far East, and on biannual trips with fishermen and fisheries scientists, to scope out novel ideas from around the world and exchange knowledge. 

We talk about the role of POs in these rapidly changing times and get an insight into ANIFPO, which has gone above and beyond the traditional role of a PO. Alan has been at the forefront of ANIFPO’s proactive, forward-moving spirit: buying factories and developing its own processing capability and marketing arm (Sea Source) for its fishermen. This decision, Alan asserts, is why Northern Irish fleets have been able to get back out to sea during the pandemic. 

However, we highlight the need to think specifically, rather than come up with a national model. ‘Everybody has challenges,’ Alan says, ‘whether you’re a 80m pelagic trawler or an under 10m handline fishing for mackerel’. The role of POs is to represent its fishermen and overcome its regional challenges. 

In this uplifting and inspiring conversation, we explore Brexit and change more broadly as an opportunity, to use the ingenuity, skill and self-organisation at the heart of the fishing industry. 

Fathom hosts

Paul Trebilcock
Chris Ranford

Fathom guest

Alan McCulla, CEO of ANIFPO 

Links 

ANIFPO website

Fathom on Twitter 

In this episode of the Fathom podcast, we hear from Kara Brydson from Fisheries Innovation Scotland (FIS) and Paul Macdonald from the Scottish Fishermen's Organisation (SFO). FIS as an organisation that ‘brings together fishermen and other experts along the seafood supply chain, to champion innovation and try new things – to make Scottish fisheries more prosperous and sustainable.'

Kara outlines what innovation means to FIS and how FIS projects must be practical and impactful. What makes FIS different is they don't just fund other people's ideas, they ask difficult questions and figure out how they could do things differently, to actually make a change to Scotland's fishing industry.

Paul Macdonald detailed an exciting joint project between FIS, fishing organisations and the University of Aberdeen, where fishermen on the west coast of Scotland are piloting a software system to share information on unwanted catches of cod and whiting in ‘real-time’.  Paul explains that fishermen have been involved in every step of the mobile app's development which has helped to create something that fishermen want  and therefore has the potential to be ‘something that is of use and of value to the ones who will actually be using it.’

Could this Fathom episode spark a deeper conservation about the importance of true collaboration in successful fisheries science projects?

Episode links

Fisheries Innovation Scotland
Scottish Fishermen's Organisation
Real-time reporting app