27 May 2025
Image: Fishing boats by John Mark Strange The number of octopus are increasing in the south-west, and fishers are feeling the impact. Instead of hauling up pots with crabs, lobsters and other shellfish, fishers are finding octopus and empty shells instead. Plymouth crab fisherman Brian Tapper described the situation: “The octopus are ruining us… […]
27 May 2025
Image: Fishing boat by Michel Stockman A new report from marine conservation organisation Oceana claims that bottom trawling continues to pose a serious threat to the UK’s offshore marine protected areas (MPAs), with over 20,000 hours of suspected activity recorded in 2024 alone. The report, titled The Trawled Truth, estimates that the suspected trawling would […]
20 May 2025
Late Monday night, negotiations between the UK and the EU – covering trade, defence and fishing, came to a dramatic close, as the UK agreed to allow EU vessels continued access to UK waters until 2038. Reaction to the deal on fishing revealed highly differing views. The UK Government stressed that the agreement maintains […]
13 May 2025
Launched in cinemas across the globe on May 8th, the documentary film ‘Ocean’ from Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios was released to coincide with David Attenborough’s 99th birthday. The film, narrated by the veteran broadcaster, will be available globally on some streaming services from June 8th. The film’s release has highlighted the visually stunning […]
22 Apr 2025
President Trump has said he will allow commercial fishing in one of the world’s largest MPAs, introducing industrial operations for the first time in more than a decade to a vast area of the Pacific dotted with coral atolls and populated by endangered sea turtles and whales. As reported in the New York Times, Mr. […]
15 Apr 2025
Mackerel sustainability rating downgraded in Good Fish Guide Image description: A close up shot of a school of mackerel. The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) recently updated their Good Fish Guide in line with the latest scientific advice, resulting in a downgraded sustainability rating for mackerel. Mackerel caught by midwater trawl in the Northeast […]
15 Apr 2025
Image description: Fishing boats docked in a harbour in Scarborough A new study has issued a stark warning that the UK is at serious risk of losing the wide-reaching benefits of its sustainable fisheries unless urgent action is taken. The paper, Recognising and Protecting the National Benefit of Sustainable Fisheries in the UK, highlights […]
08 Apr 2025
Image description: A fishing boat at sea during sunrise. EU push to link fisheries with broader political deal The transitional agreement on fisheries is due to expire in mid-2026, triggering concern that the EU may attempt to leverage access to shared waters in exchange for concessions elsewhere. The UK government has so far rejected […]
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