News

WFA-CPC campaign 'Sea Our Future'

Ahead of the Senedd election on the 6th May, the WFA has published its vision document, Sea Our Future, explaining who, what and how the WFA and its constituent fishermen’s associations work with fisheries managers, nature conservation bodies and others to aim for sustainable and profitable fisheries.

WFA-CPC Sea Our Future

 

The WFA-CPC’s manifesto centres around the need to reform fisheries management in Wales to achieve our vision and specifically requests:

  • THE INTRODUCTION OF A WELSH FISHERIES BILL IN THE NEXT SENEDD TERM,
  • THE CREATION OF A DUTY TO ADAPTIVELY MANAGE THE EXPLOITATION OF SEA FISHERY RESOURCES…
Read more

Small Scale Coastal Infrastructure Scheme

The Small Scale Coastal Infrastructure Scheme (SSCIS) is open to applications from all Port Authorities (PA) and Local Authorities (LA) who own ports and harbours across Wales and meet the eligibility selection criteria as set out in this booklet:

https://welshfishermansassociation.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/EXhzbcFB5qlGvMnOGVxAIYQBuRTHuNKTJj-nUC6T_mY27w

The scheme covers capital investments in port and harbour infrastructure which deliver benefits to improve the overall performance, sustainability, safety and well-being of the Welsh Marine and Fishing industries as well as the general public enjoying the use of these facilities and the surrounding areas.

The grant provides up to 100% towards capital investments in equipment and machinery that…

Read more

HOME & DRY SAFETY CAMPAIGN

A written risk assessment to keep you and your crew is a legal requirement

https://www.homeanddry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Home-Dry-Risk-Assessment-short.mp4

 

Read more

Defra Marine and Fisheries Update

Defra's latest update can be found here:

Defra Update - 21/04/2021 (mailchi.mp)

 

Content
Possible protest activity by French Fisherman
Exporting LBMs to the EU
New Animal Health Regulation and composite rules apply from today
Quota allocation and management in 2021 and beyond:  England and the Crown Dependencies
Government sets provisional fishing catch limits for 2021

 

 

Read more

HOME & DRY SAFETY CAMPAIGN

The biggest lifesaver? Stay on board

Steps to prevent MOB 

1. Assess the risks

2. Do your drills

3. Wear a PFD

https://www.homeanddry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/HD-MOB-launch_1.mp4

 

Read more

Acoustic recorder deployments in Cardigan Bay

Acoustic recorders are being deployed in the following locations in Cardigan Bay to monitor Harbour Porpoise

Site Lon Lat 1 -4.313717921 52.78077684 2 -4.209460743 52.60178989 3 -4.295770913 52.38549369 4 -4.373644855 52.23993486 5 -4.6638075 52.15075515 6 -4.823737282 52.28023173 7 -4.680222054 52.44491

A diagram of the acoustic recorder mooring system can be found here:

Acoustic Recorder

 

 

 

Read more

Government provisional fishing catch limits for 2021

The Government has today (14 April 2021) set provisional catch limits for UK-EU shared fish stocks for the remainder of 2021, or until an agreement is reached with the EU.

Today’s announcement follows the Government’s commitment to extend provisional catch limits for the rest of the year if agreement on fishing opportunities with the EU had not been reached by 14 April. The EU recently announced their intention to extend their provisional catch limits until 31 July.

Read more

WFA-CPC campaign 'Sea Our Future'

Ahead of the Senedd election on the 6th May, the WFA has published its vision document, Sea Our Future, explaining who, what and how the WFA and its constituent fishermen’s associations work with fisheries managers, nature conservation bodies and others to aim for sustainable and profitable fisheries.

WFA-CPC Sea Our Future

 

The WFA-CPC’s manifesto centres around the need to reform fisheries management in Wales to achieve our vision and specifically requests:

  • THE INTRODUCTION OF A WELSH FISHERIES BILL IN THE NEXT SENEDD TERM,
  • THE CREATION OF A DUTY TO ADAPTIVELY MANAGE THE EXPLOITATION OF SEA FISHERY RESOURCES…
Read more

Welsh Seafood Resilience Scheme

Please find the link below to access application and guidance notes regarding the £1.3m Welsh Seafood Resilience Scheme.

Please note this scheme opens today and closes on the 31st of March 2021.

https://gov.wales/marine-fisheries

 

Read more

Funding for the Welsh seafood sector

The Welsh Government has launched a new £1.3m scheme to help the Welsh fishing and aquaculture sector following the twin hits to their businesses caused by leaving the EU and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The sector in Wales- whose largest export trading partner is the EU- has been hit hard by the UK/ EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) which came into force January 1 this year.

Welsh fishers have suffered severe trade disruption, and many of our aquaculture businesses trading in live bivalve molluscs - such as mussels - have seen a total cessation of trade.

This disruption has exacerbated…

Read more

Seafood Response Fund Guidance

The Seafood Response Fund (SRF) is designed to help UK fishing and shellfish aquaculture businesses that have been affected by the downturn of export and domestic markets for fish and shellfish due to the coronavirus pandemic and/or disruption to seafood exports earlier this year.

Please find the full guidance here and an updated press release here.

MMO will be contacting eligible fishing and aquaculture businesses in phases by email to invite them to provide their details via our online system.

Any business that has not heard from the MMO by 21st March and who thinks they are…

Read more

Urgent - Correct fitting of HRU

The MCA are aware of recent cases of HRUs not correctly fitted.

They have added a link to Gov.uk with a diagram produced by the RNLI a few years ago that shows how to correctly fit an HRU.

Correct fitting of a HRU

Please circulate the attached link and post the picture in a suitable place where it might be seen.

Read more

Defra Marine and Fisheries Update

Defra's latest update can be found here:

Defra Update - 05/03/2021 (mailchi.mp)

Content
Updated arrangements for authorised traders from 1 April 2021
Handling controlled movements where goods are subject to Sanitary and PhytoSanitary (SPS) checks for GB-NI Movements
Fishers: Know your limits
Enlisting your support in developing digital solutions for traders moving agri-food goods and live animals from GB to NI
Importing seafood from 1 April
Webinars for Exporters and Importers of Products of Animal Origin (POAO) for Human Consumption from…

Read more

Covid Support Guide

Please find below the link to the MMO Covid Financial Support Guide.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/963486/One_Stop_Shop_Covid_v7.pdf 

As announced recently this is a UK gov scheme administered by the MMO, subject to eligibility criteria Welsh fishing, aquaculture and seafood export businesses are included and will be contacted directly by the MMO in a phased approach. The WFA is pressing for further details and will keep you informed.

Read more

S4C 'Drych' featuring Llyn fishermen

A link to Sunday night's programme on S4C 'Drych' featuring Llyn fishermen -  the difficulties, tragedies and hopes for the future.

Well done to all involved.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0972j4j/drych-y-pysgotwyr

 

Read more

Blue Gem Wind proposal

Letter from the Marine Energy Hub in Pembrokeshire regarding Blue Gem Wind's floating offshore wind project 'Valorous'

Dear Sir or Madam,

 

On behalf of our client, Blue Gem Wind (BGW), we would like to introduce their proposed early‑commercial scale floating offshore wind project; Valorous.

 

Valorous is a proposed 300 MW floating offshore wind project in the Celtic Sea, approximately 47 km from the South West coast of Pembrokeshire. The key project elements include:

  • 18 to 31 Wind Turbine Generator with an indicative nameplate rating of between 9.5 MW and 16 MW housed on floating (semi-submersible) platforms;
  • A single offshore substation;
Read more

Increased support for fishing and shellfish businesses

A UK Government press release on increased support for fishing and shellfish businesses.

Increased support for fishing and shellfish businesses

  • Expanded Seafood Response Fund for the UK’s fishing and shellfish aquaculture sectors
  • Fund will draw on existing £23m fund but provide cash grants for more fishing businesses
  • Scheme to target the needs of the whole UK fishing industry

The Government has announced enhanced financial support for the seafood industry with cash grants for fishing and shellfish aquaculture businesses across the UK.

In January, the Government made available £23 million for seafood exporters that suffered a financial loss because of delays…

Read more

APPG Fisheries newsletters

To subscribe and view the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fisheries newsletters go to:

https://www.fisheriesappg.org/newsletters

 

 

Read more

Coronavirus Update

A Coronavirus update from Welsh Government can be found here: 

Covid-19 update from Welsh Government (govdelivery.com)

 

Read more

THE NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EU: WHAT IT MEANS FOR WALES

Message from Jon Edwards (Swyddog Cyfathrebu – Pontio’r UE / Communications Officer – EU Transition)

Today, the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition published The New Relationship with the EU: What It Means for Wales, which analyses the impact of the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) agreed on 24 December 2020.

 This new document can be found on the Welsh Government website:

 The Counsel General and Minister for European Transition has also produced a Written Statement, offering more detail:

 Please feel free…

Read more

SEAFISH TRAINING

Thursday 25 February, 12:30pm to 4:30pm, Principles of Fish Quality Assessment. This training course is theory based and covers the mechanisms of spoilage, methods of assessing fish quality and focuses on the Torry assessment scheme for round fish, flatfish and salmon. There is an optional online 90 minute open book test which can be taken after the training course. Currently 50% funded for people working in the UK seafood industry, the funded cost per learner is £50.

 Tuesday 16 March, 9:30am to 2pm, Introduction to HACCP. This training course covers prerequisites, hazards, low and high risk foods, legislation and the…

Read more

SEAFISH – THE CATCH

Seafish Newletter can be found here:  https://elinkeu.clickdimensions.com/m/1/75896458/p1-b21040-6d0ee5a3ddb74e709eab3467147c38f7/1/147/2c46c261-3b86-49a0-b398-cfcf9079078c

Featuring:

  • Love Seafood campaign
  • EU-UK Trade support updates
  • Latest Kingfisher updates
  • UK gear trial review
  • Join our industry sector panels
Read more

DEFRA MARINE AND FISHERIES UPDATE

DEFRA MARINE AND FISHERIES UPDATE

For the latest Defra update on fisheries and marine issues, got to: Defra Update - 09/02/2021 (mailchi.mp)

Content

- £23 million Seafood Disruption Support Scheme now open

- Consultation to protect precious habitats

- Fishing Licenses

- Exporting Live bivalve molluscs

- Government Covid 19 rapid testing offer

- Defra Presents Webinar Series for Importing Products of Animal Origin (POAO) for Human Consumption from EU to GB

- New video guidance from NEAFC

- BEIS Consultation for UK domestic Subsidy Regime

Read more

THE CROWN ESTATE – OFFSHORE WIND LEASING ROUND 4 ANNOUNCEMENT

Message from the Crown Estate

Dear all,

We are pleased to share an update on Offshore Wind Leasing Round 4.

In a major vote of confidence in the UK’s green economy and net zero ambitions, The Crown Estate has today, 8 February 2021, announced 6 proposed new offshore wind projects in the waters around England and Wales.

 The projects have been selected through a competitive seabed tender process and will now progress to the next stage of the process, the plan-level Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).

 Further details of the proposed Round 4 projects and bidders, and a map of the…

Read more

MOVING GOODS FROM GREAT BRITAIN (GB) TO NORTHERN IRELAND (NI)

GROUPAGE CONSIGNMENTS

MOVING GOODS FROM GREAT BRITAIN (GB) TO NORTHERN IRELAND (NI)

COLLECTING AND TRANSPORTING GROUPAGE CONSIGNMENTS

Guidance from DEFRA

 Defra and DAERA have worked with hauliers to establish a new Groupage model which will aid the movements of these loads into Northern Ireland. Following successful trials with industry (involving taking goods from GB to NI), two Groupage models have been agreed.

 If you are a haulier who moves SPS goods (products of animal origin (POAO), high-risk food not of animal origin and plants and plant products) from GB to NI where your goods need to be accompanied by Export…

Read more