Our most recent event explored the impacts of climate change on UK fisheries. Panelists shared insight into changes to distribution patterns, abundance of fish stocks, and increased prevalence and severity of storms, exploring the implications of these impacts for the fishing industry as a whole.
The panel consisted of Dr John Pinnegar of Cefas, Dr Angus Garrett from Seafish, Dr Steven Mackinson of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, Dr Tara Marshall of the University of Aberdeen, and Andrew Locker, Chairman of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations.
A full recording of the event can be found here:
Following the presentations, Parliamentarians and attendees put their questions to the panel. Written responses to all questions are provided below.
WELFARE AND SOCIOECONOMICS
What can be done to help fishers and the catch sector stay healthy in the face of climate change?
Tara Marshall, John Pinnegar and Angus Garrett said that open discussion between fishers and scientists, continued projection of the risks of climate change to fishing across the entire supply chain, and adaptive management measures are all crucial to the health of coastal communities. Andrew Locker highlighted the importance of charities and other organisations working to support fishers’ welfare, including the Fishermen’s Welfare Alliance and Seafarers UK.
What role are local authorities playing in helping fishing communities adapt to the effects on climate change onshore?
Angus Garrett replied that there is scope for better unification between fisheries management and local authorities, noting that a more strategic role from the government and devolved administrations is a possible pathway, and that more could be done to prioritise the need of smaller ports.
How can industry, civil society, retailers, and the government best work together to address the impacts of climate change and help stocks recover?
Tara Marshall replied that the inclusion of a specific climate change initiative in the UK’s new Fisheries Bill may provide an incentive for further collaboration. Steven Mackinson added that the will for collaboration is there, but that the mechanisms to facilitate it are currently lacking.
SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT
Is there an expectation that ocean acidification will affect shellfish?
Angus Garrett and John Pinnegar replied that impacts of acidification are highly uncertain. Although it is viewed as a future threat, there is currently no evidence to suggest that ocean acidification has had an impact on UK stocks and it is therefore difficult to identify the exact nature of its impacts.
Is the industry seeing changes in currents and tides linked to weather and, if so, are they adapting vessel design to accommodate them?
Andrew Locker replied that the industry is noticing changes, and are now using tidal monitors to maintain up-to-date data on tide and currents whilst at sea. Vessels are now being adapted in response to extreme weather conditions, with measures introduced to enhance crew safety.
How can scientists adjust for spatially uneven patterns of fishing pressure when analysing changes in stock distribution?
John Pinnegar replied that variations in fishing effort across time and space had been accounted for within calculations and adjustments made accordingly.
What are the likely implications of shifts in stock distribution for stock assessments?
All panelists responded that scientific processes and survey methods will have to adapt to accommodate changes in stock distribution. This may lead to the need to redefine reference points and the models used to calculate stock units.
Is there industry intention to include seasonal to decadal forecasting of mackerel and whiting in decision-making?
Steven Mackinson replied that it is of interest to the pelagic industry, and that the SPFA has been involved in a joint research proposal to extend the modelling capability for mackerel. Although current models appear promising, further research is needed to fully cover the relevant time periods.
Is the industry considering emerging technologies in order to become more carbon efficient? What implications might this have on fuel consumption?
Steven Mackinson responded that, while the adoption of some carbon-efficient technologies is underway, innovation to gear and vessels must be economically viable, safe, and reliable. Fuel consumption is a key factor in profit margins, so the industry has incentive to either become more fuel-efficient or switch to using alternatives.
SUPPLY CHAIN
How can the whole supply chain be utilised to provide useful scientific data?
Andrew Locker replied that talks are underway to train the demersal fleet in self-sampling, rather than sending observers. This would provide a trusted alternative to Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) and enable fishers to better understand trends in climate change impacts, allowing them to adapt more efficiently. Steve Mackinson said that researchers are looking to utilise information from factories as a scientific data stream.
What is Seafish doing to promote less-popular species to UK consumers?
Angus Garrett replied that Seafish is working to raise general awareness of the value of seafood as a source of protein, and to enhance marketing opportunities for seafood businesses, as well as continuing to explore avenues for external export markets.
Please note that these answers reflect the views of the panelists rather than the APPG Secretariat or its Members. We are seeking written answers to those questions for which there was no time to answer during the event, and will update this post as we receive them.