UK fishers leading the charge for marine conservation
As fishers, the health of the ocean is of the utmost importance. Sustainable fishing practices and marine conservation efforts are crucial to ensure that the sea remains healthy and provides a viable harvest to support food security and livelihoods far into the future.
An often-overlooked aspect of the debate on the management and development of fisheries is that it’s done especially to benefit global populations in terms of food supply, employment, and revenue. Of course, this must be achieved without compromising the future sustainability of any fish stock. Fortunately, the UK fishing industry stands as one of the best-managed and most regulated in the world, with scientific evidence directly influencing decisions in fisheries and marine environment management.
The Wildlife Trusts’ National Marine Week theme this year is “Sea the Connection.” In this blog, we’ll highlight how, as an island nation, we are deeply connected to the sea and why preserving a healthy and flourishing marine environment is essential.
The UK’s connection to the sea
The sea has shaped the UK and how it connects with the rest of the world for many centuries. Our nation’s cultural heritage is rooted deeply in our identity as an island, influencing our history, arts, traditions, and daily life.
Maritime industries enable significant employment and economic activity, particularly for coastal communities. From merchant traffic carrying the everyday goods we rely upon, to offshore energy development that lights our homes, subsea cables that enable global connectivity, marine mineral extraction that provides building materials, and fishing that delivers food—there are many ways we work with the sea.
The UK’s reliance on the sea emphasises the importance of marine conservation and sustainable management practices to ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from it.
Misconceptions of the fishing industry
There are several misconceptions about the fishing industry’s impact on the marine ecosystem. These include the beliefs that pelagic vessels fish in and damage marine protected environments, harm the ecosystem by removing large volumes of pelagic fish and contribute to high CO2 emissions.
However, the truth is that pelagic vessels do not harm seabed habitats, flora, or fauna because they use mid-water trawls, which do not touch the seabed, ensuring minimal environmental impact. These types of vessels are among the world’s most ecologically friendly, targeting single species from well-managed, sustainable stocks.
Our pelagic vessels also only fish where they are permitted to do so. For each Marine Protected Area (MPA) there are designated species and habitats that are required to be protected. If our pelagic gear poses any risk to the achievement of the conservation objectives of the MPA, our operations will be restricted or prohibited. Government environmental advisers evaluate all of the human extractive activities, including fishing, within the site to assess the impact. If there is a risk identified, Regulators will be advised to take appropriate action to assure the protection of the marine environment.
In terms of carbon footprint, wild-caught pelagic fish produces the lowest CO2 among animal proteins, as they require no artificial feeding or freshwater supplies. Additionally, both pelagic and demersal trawling are highly energy efficient. Larger vessels, in particular, make fewer and longer trips, thus using less fuel than for shorter, more frequent journeys, and catches can be frozen at sea and packed efficiently for transportation.
The UK’s strict fisheries management regulations, which involve several different authorities and organisations, ensure the safeguarding of fish stocks for future generations. Defra oversees the general governance and policy of UK fisheries, while devolved administrations handle fisheries management. These are the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) in England, Marine Scotland in Scotland, DAERA in Northern Ireland, and the Welsh Government in Wales.
To ensure that fish stocks are not at risk, scientifically determined Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are set each year, meaning fishers can only catch within quota limits and must report catches daily to authorities. Any excess catch requires sourcing additional quota without increasing the overall TAC, as discarding quota-regulated fish is illegal.
More sustainable fishing practices
In recent decades, the UK has made substantial progress in enhancing sustainable fishing practices to ensure the long-term viability of fish stocks, minimise environmental impact, and support the fishing industry. Efforts have included introducing regulatory frameworks, advancing scientific research initiatives, and international collaboration.
Technological advancements have also contributed to developing advanced solutions to support sustainable fishing practices. Modern 2D and 3D imaging helps fishermen catch the right species and sizes to maintain balanced ecosystems. Specialised nets allow juvenile fish to escape, ensuring they can reach maturity and reproduce to safeguard future fish stocks. Acoustic and electromagnetic “pingers” are also fitted to our nets deter marine mammals and sharks from approaching the net.
Many fishing operations (including North Atlantic) now participate in scientific data collection, reporting catches, bycatch, and environmental conditions. This data is crucial for informed marine resource management.
Additionally, fishing boats use electronic logbooks to report catches to authorities every 24 hours, ensuring transparency and up-to-date records. CCTV cameras are also deployed to bolster scientific data collection and provide evidence of compliant operations. We actively engage in these practices and use these technologies to support sustainable fishing practices.
A beacon of hope
Sustainable fishing offers hope for thriving marine biodiversity and prospering fishing communities. Embracing eco-conscious practices and protecting fish stocks and oceanic habitats is essential for the fishing industry’s continued viability and the well-being of our seas and oceans. Its role in promoting sustainable practices is, therefore, crucial for maintaining marine ecosystems, ocean health, and global food security.
