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European Funding Must Continue, Say Seafish


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#1 Barry McCrindle

Barry McCrindle

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 11:51 AM

From www.fishnewseu.com

Quote

SEAFISH have responded to a report on the future of European Fisheries Funding by the EU Court of Auditors this week by underlining the importance of European funding as an “invaluable means” of support for commercial fishermen.
Seafish work closely with the fishing industry on a number of EFF projects and industries, aimed at improving industry standards in key areas such as safety and sustainability. Seafish say they believe that European funding for such projects is “vital” for the continued improvement of standards in the industry.
“Fishing remains the most dangerous occupation in the UK, with a fatality rate 115 times the UK industry average. This reflects why improving safety is one of our main priorities, whether it is through provision of information, surveys and inspections or the development and delivery of training for fishermen. We have had significant contributions from the European Fisheries Fund, which have enabled us to deliver these initiatives.” said Simon Potten, Operations Manager at Seafish.
As well as safety, Seafish have developed several projects with the support of EFF that strive to actively improve the sustainability of the industry, as Mike Montgomerie, Gear Technologist at Seafish, explains:
“As part of the Seafish Gear Technology Training Project, 63 participants from all fishing communities throughout Scotland have benefited from trawl gear technology courses at Hirtshals flume tank. These course were funded through a combination of Seafish and EFF. The project is still underway in England, and these courses are the only course of this type in the EU. They provide these fishermen, already experts in their field, a high level of training and understanding of the gear they use and the alterations that they can make to improve efficiency.
“The courses also highlight the possibilities of selective devices that are available for fishermen to use to reduce discards and improve the selectivity of their gear. We have received great feedback from fishermen on the courses’ content, as well as impressive estimates on the financial benefits they feel will be achieved following their training (see notes).” Seafish is also “keen to emphasise” the key role that EFF plays in supporting the commercial fishing industry, and say it is vital that the fund continues to support projects and training initiatives such as these. Seafish add they want to highlight positive impacts of EFF, and hope to see the EU continue to support this through the introduction of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

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