Our most recent event, and our first to be hosted online, addressed the topic of support measures for the fisheries implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel was made up of representatives from each of the four countries of the UK - Tom McCormack (MMO), Allan Gibb (Marine Scotland), Paddy Campbell (DAERA) and Mike Dowell (Welsh Government) - as well as Aoife Martin (Seafish). You can find a full agenda for the event here and catch up on all that happened in our recording below:
Following the presentations, Parliamentarians and all present put their questions to the panel. To help clarify what support is available to the seafood sector, written responses to all questions are provided below.
Economics
Where can harbours and ports access support?
Allan Gibb, Tom McCormack, Paddy Campbell and Mike Dowell stressed that the support put in place to enable the catching sector to meet their fixed costs would carry knock-on benefits to ports by enabling payment of harbour dues, although they acknowledged that this does not address the entirety of the issue.
Have the administrations considered the possibility of collaborations between fishing fleets and research institutions to provide income for fishermen in exchange for data collection?
Mike Dowell noted that such schemes were already being developed between relevant parties to benefit conservationists, researchers, and fishermen whilst providing up-to-date estimates of stock levels.
How is the processing sector able to access support?
Allan Gibb said that a £10m support scheme (the Scottish Seafood Business Resilience Fund), open to 120 businesses within the processing sector, has been created to allow for continued operations. Tom McCormack said that the £1m Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme (DSSS) has been designed to provide support across the industry and encompasses elements of the processing sector.
Is there an opportunity to increase the State Aid cap for the fisheries sector?Allan Gibb responded that the cap has already been temporarily increased from €30,000 to €120,000 at EU level, and that there is no indication that this will increase further at present.
Could Barnett consequentials* for Wales be ring-fenced for fisheries, aquaculture and producing sectors and – if so – how?
Tom McCormack stated that the possibility of ring-fencing Barnett consequentials had been discussed.
* Barnett consequentials are knock-on government-funded grants to devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) proportional to those set up within England.
What is the advice to assist businesses that do not qualify for any of the support schemes detailed by the panel?
Allan Gibb noted that he would address the issue with the Scottish government, as this was an area-specific question.
Would it be possible for the small number of Welsh aquaculture businesses to access the MMO scheme and cross charge to Welsh Government?
Mike Dowell said that the Welsh Government is still looking at what, if anything, could specifically be done for aquaculture beyond what is already available to businesses in Wales.
How do owners of vessels which are not involved in shellfish or whitefish fisheries access funding?
Allan Gibb responded that seasonal fisheries will be kept under constant review, and would be discussed in upcoming meetings of industry representatives.
What help is there available for fish auctions?
Allan Gibb said that harbour authorities should be better placed to answer this question.
What plans are underway to support fishermen who are likely to have accrued large debts once support schemes end?
Paddy Campbell said that weekly meetings with industry representatives would continue to discuss impacts and plan for recovery.
Welfare
What is being done in terms for welfare for crew members?
Tom McCormack said that a ‘one-stop-shop’ guide to welfare support and charitable institutions offering emotional and financial welfare advice to seafarers is available on the MMO website. Allan Gibb added that, as many Scottish fishermen are self-employed, they would soon be eligible for relevant support in Scotland.
What is being done for migrant workers still on UK vessels?
Allan Gibb said that the Scottish Government is requesting temporary access for non EEA crew to state resources, and is exploring the possibility of crew being redirected to working within horticulture or agriculture. Paddy Campbell noted that non-EEA crew may qualify for job retention schemes.
How can the public gain information on how and why they should be supporting local fishers?
Tom McCormack reiterated that the Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme scheme is designed to include proposals which centre around marketing for direct sales. Aoife Martin drew attention to marketing resources created by Seafish (‘Sea For Yourself’ and ‘Fish is the Dish’) as well as directories to help people connect with local suppliers.
Regulation
Are increases in illegal fishing of UK waters, particularly in Wales, going unenforced as authorities direct attention to other issues?
Mike Dowell acknowledged that there is a need to balance standard ways of working with current restrictions, but that enforcement operations in Welsh waters are still ongoing, with police and natural resource protection officers investigating reported incidents.
Has there been an increase in fishing in UK waters by non-UK supertrawlers in recent months?
Allan Gibb said that the Scottish government is continuing to monitor fishing activity across the board, and that there has been no increase in the number of EU vessels since the onset of Covid-19 restrictions.
How do we ensure that regulations aren't weakened for the future of the industry for both fishers and the marine environment?
Allan Gibb said that there are no current or foreseen plans to seek to reduce regulation that supports sustainable fishing objectives. Paddy Campbell said that there are no plans to ease regulations as a response to Covid-19 impacts in Northern Ireland. Mike Dowell said that there have been no suggestions in Wales to weaken any regulations.
Are Covid-appropriate Health and Safety standards being adhered to both at sea and on land?
Paddy Campbell said that, in Northern Ireland, updated protocols are being developed for vessels going back out to sea, and that the government is working closely with the catch and processing sectors on this issue. Aoife Martin highlighted the distribution of materials produced by Seafish providing guidance on Covid-relevant health and safety measures, and noted the organisation’s work with the Food Standards Association to ensure that health and safety requirements are being met across the supply chain.
What is being done with the NFFO to ensure that British fish is being supplied to fish and chips shops that are operating?
Aoife Martin noted that Seafish is working to encourage the sector to use UK-landed seafood, and has seen examples of direct-sales initiatives supplying fish and chip shops.
Our next event is on 4 June, and will cover innovative responses to the pandemic - find out more here.
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