Commercial fishing on the Clyde: current issues

Jason Combes, Clyde Fisheries Development Project Officer, spoke about the Clyde Fisheries Development Project. This is a new cross-sector partnership aimed at building a sustainable future for the Clyde inshore fisheries and will give fishermen a chance to play a significant role in developing best practices and strategies.

Please click here for the full presentation or read on for a summary of the talk.

The fisheries of the Firth of Clyde have historically been of significant economic and cultural importance, albeit changing in character over the years. At one time the fisheries were dominated by herring and whitefish, while today the most important species are prawns (Nephrops) exploited by trawl and creel. Scallop and razor fishing also takes place along with creeling for lobsters and crabs in some areas too. Few businesses, other than the fishing industry, have such direct links with the Firth of Clyde which is why the industry is actively seeking sustainability in relation to economics, target and non-target species as well as for communities and their traditions.

The management of inshore fisheries is at the brink of significant change, signalled by the publication of Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland by the Scottish Executive in March 2005. This framework envisages the establishment of area management groups that have greater participation from fishermen and other stakeholders, one of which could cover the Firth of Clyde.

The Clyde Fisheries Development Project will not be directly involved with fishery management but one of the key aims of our work will be to lay the foundations for establishing a successful and effective area management group. We will do this by undertaking a series of linked projects that will gather the necessary background information, identify the key issues and develop standards that can be incorporated into the management plans that the future Area Management Group will be required to produce.

The emphasis within the project is on developing best practice in fishing operations and shore-side businesses on the Clyde, but doing so in a way that actively involves fishermen and other stakeholders. The member organisations of the project are in no doubt of the significant challenges that face us in the Clyde. These challenges demand creative and innovative solutions to deliver the best possible future for all the different sectors of the fishery - and the communities that benefit from them - and we will depend on input and support from all if we are to be successful.

If you look at the Clyde in its whole context, then it is apparent that the area is a real jewel that needs to be protected and ensure that communities - particularly those that are highly dependent on fishing, such as Girvan, Troon, Carradale, Campbeltown, and Tarbert, have a bright and sustainable future.

At least one project will be looking at the economic potential of species currently under-utilised in the Clyde. The initial impetus, however, will be an environmental and fisheries study that will include a review of local fisheries, stocks, capture methods and of the environment in which the fisheries are carried out. Having reviewed what has happened in the past and the current situation the environmental and fisheries study will provide a sound foundation for the area management group to plan for a sustainable future for fisheries and communities.

The second phase will be the development of a quality standard for Clyde caught prawns through all stages of the supply chain, where fishermen will ultimately be seeking reward for landing a high quality product. The standard will be of a ‘business to business assurance’ basis at this stage. The very nature of the project means it will not be possible for every boat to be involved, but what we are looking for are go-ahead skippers who are willing to try new ideas that if successful, will provide a lead for other boats to follow.

Individually packing Nephrops can lead to a high quality product © Clyde Fisheries Development Project

The development of standards in the operations and management of Clyde fisheries, including a set of quality and environmental standards will require dialogue between fishermen and processors as well as allowing for conservation of the wider marine environment. This improved communication is something the Clyde Fisheries Project is keen to foster across all areas, whether it be between static and mobile gear fishermen, or Northern Irish and Scottish fishermen.

The Clyde Fisheries Development Project will also encompass focussed studies on the sustainability of current fisheries and of possibilities for future development.

Of course the whole project itself is one based on co-operation and communication, given that the partnership, which is part financed by EU FIFG funding, brings together representatives from the Clyde Fishermen’s Association, Food and Drink Federation, Northern Ireland Fishermen’s Federation, Scottish Creelers and Divers, Scottish Natural Heritage, Seafish, University Marine Biological Station Millport and WWF Scotland.

If fishermen want to make a difference, then here they have a real opportunity to do so, and those who become actively involved will effectively be pioneers.

For further details, contact Jason Combes, tel 01369 700137 or email j_combes@Seafish.co.uk