Fish Fight

DEFRA

"The throwing back of dead fish into the sea is a shameful waste and one of the biggest failures of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), says Richard Benyon, the UK Fisheries Minister.

"It's great that Fish Fight are getting out there and encouraging people to find out the story behind their fish suppers and to make the right choices in what they buy to ensure the fish eaten comes from sustainable supplies," he adds.

"I am determined to end discarding fish. That is why I am keen to expand initiatives such as catch quotas which enable fishermen to land more while catching less and why we need to reform the CFP which is clearly no longer fit for purpose.

"I want to work with the industry and with the EU Fisheries Commissioner, the European Parliament and other countries in Europe to simplify existing rules, allow businesses to plan more effectively, give fishers a clearer stake in the long-term health and sustainability of fish stocks and reduce the terrible waste of discards."

Link: defra.gov.uk

Scottish Government

"Scotland has been at the forefront of pushing alternatives to the culture of discards imposed by Europe's flawed fisheries policy that forces fishermen to dump good quality fish back overboard, dead into the sea," says Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment in the Scottish Government.

"This is a waste of a valuable food and economic resource. Nobody gains from discards, it is an abhorrent practice that can't be tolerated.

"I believe that a system where fishermen catch fewer fish in the first place, yet land more of what they do catch is the correct way forward.

"I welcome the attention that Hugh's Fish Fight Campaign has brought to highlighting the scandal of discards in the North Sea."

Link: scotland.gov.uk

SAINSBURY's

"Sainsbury's welcomes and supports Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's campaign to end the practice of discarding mixed fisheries," says Judith Batchelar, Director of Sainsbury's Brand.

"A big part of our fish sustainability agenda is to catch fish as specifically as we can and avoid fish we don't want to catch," she adds.

"We believe discarding is a shocking waste of valuable resources and measures must be put in place to eliminate the practice and manage these fisheries more responsibly.

"Sainsbury's also recognises that there is no easy solution to the issue but we believe that the development of more selective fishing gear must be included in any solution with the aim of avoiding the capture of small fish and unwanted species and then landing everything that is caught.

"There are already excellent examples of progress in this area in the South West beam trawl fishery and the Scottish North Sea Cod fishery.

"Sainsbury's have already joined with the WWF and other like minded organisations to call for radial reform to the Common Fisheries Policy and an end to discarding.

"There is no doubt that Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's campaign will give the issue more visibility and help to drive positive reform of the Common Fisheries Policy."

Link: sainsburys.co.uk

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs

A message of support from the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries Lisbeth Berg-Hansen:

"For decades Norway has been fighting for drastic measures to stop the massive and unacceptable waste of valuable food and resources that takes place in the form of discards. In our own waters, discards are prohibited by law and supported by other regulations to avoid catching unwanted fish in the first place."

"The North Sea has potential to provide consumers healthy and sustainable supply of food, but this will not be achieved without putting an end to the shameful practice of discards. We are constantly addressing this issue in our fisheries cooperation with the EU, and discard of fish is a serious threat to sustainable fishing of shared stocks. It is long overdue to put in place measures to eliminate the practice and manage these fisheries more responsibly."

"I support the Fish Fight Campaigns work against discard. I hope that increased awareness and growing public support can give momentum to once and for all ending the scandalous discard of fish, to the benefit of consumers, fishermen and our common fish stocks."

Link: www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/fkd.html

NUTFA

"The New Under Ten Fishermen’s Association’s members use fishing gear that often has significantly less discards than heavier mobile gears, and a much reduced impact of the marine environment. It is primarily a lack of fish quota, rather than our methods that force us to discard marketable fish" says Jerry Percy, CEO of NUTFA.

"We continue to urge both the Westminster Government and the European Commission to act on the verbal recognition that they have already given to, and reward our enhanced environmental credentials."

"If, as we have previously suggested, access to fishing opportunities was based more on environmental and social criteria than the present methodology then the discard problem would be significantly less than it is now. Nutfa have worked closely with Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall to highlight the problems faced by honest hard working inshore fishermen in trying to survive under the current management regime and are grateful for his support for our continuing fight."

Link:  www.nutfa.org

Marks and spencer

Paul Willgoss, M&S Head of Food Technology, says, “Marks & Spencer is delighted to support Hugh’s Fish Fight. We know that responsible fish sourcing is really important to our customers and we want to make it as easy as possible  for them to buy food they can trust.

 “We believe that reducing discards must be a high priority and it is vital if Europe’s fisheries are to be both environmentally and economically sustainable. Not only is discarding a waste of raw materials, it also represents a  loss of productivity to fish stocks.  The capture of unwanted marine organisms is unnecessary and an unsustainable use of resources.

 “M&S has joined forces with WWF, the UK catering sector, other UK retailers and processors to call for the 2012 Common Fisheries Policy reform to deliver a workable EU sustainable fisheries management policy, which addresses the issue of  discards.

 “We were the first food retailer to switch to 100% pole and line caught tuna back in 2009 whether it be in our sandwiches, pasta bakes or cans of tuna, and we will continue to  work closely with our suppliers and NGOs to ensure our food has been made in the most compassionate way for the environment.”

Link: www.marksandspencer.com/PlanA

LABOUR

Labour welcomes Fish Fight campaign to end scandal of discarded fish.

"The Fish Fight Campaign and growing public support can help tackle the scandal of dead fish being thrown back into the sea", says Willie Bain MP, Labour’s spokesperson on fishing.

“I welcome the launch of Fish Fight campaign and the focus Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and others have given to the scandal of dead fish being thrown back into the sea.

“It is a terrible waste that up to half of all fish caught in the North Sea is discarded due to the perverse rules of the Common Fisheries Policy. Labour Ministers led the battle for fisheries reform in Europe, and we want to see the new minister finish the job and end the disgrace of discards.
We’re delighted to see the Fish Fight campaign focusing on this issue and encouraging people to make informed decisions about the fish they buy. The government needs to work with our European allies to ensure that fisherman can land more fish and kill fewer, earn a decent living for their efforts, and be stewards of our fish stocks and marine environment for generations to come.”

Link: www.labour.org.uk

Birds Eye   

"We have long recognised that there is pressure on food resources and that is why food security is at the heart of Forever Food," says Martin Glenn, CEO at Birds Eye Iglo Group.

"We play a very active role in advocating CFP policy reform through speeches in the EU, collaboration with WWF, the FDF and AIPCE (the European Fish Processors Association) to lobby the EU to eliminate discards," he adds.

"Although much of what is eaten in the UK is now sourced outside the EU, we believe Discards is a poor example of resource utilisation and responsible fisheries management.

"If Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's campaign can shed more light on the issue to press for the appropriate reform then this will have made a valuable contribution."

Link: birdseye.co.uk

SeaFish

“Discarding represents a terrible waste of our precious natural resources and also undermines our efforts to fish and manage stocks responsibly," says Philip MacMullen, Head of Environmental Responsibility at Seafish (the seafood authority).

"But if discarding was an easy problem to sort out, it would have been done by now," he adds.

"One of the most difficult aspects is how complex, and fishery-specific, the causes are; the solutions have to address this.

"For example, langoustine (scampi) fisheries that may look very similar can show discard rates from just a few percent up to 75%.

"The difference comes from the nature of the fishing grounds, the fishing gears used, the management system, market feedback and all the various drivers for change."

“We’ve seen fantastic initiatives recently from the fishing industry and our government. What we need now is a really radical shake-up of the Common Fisheries Policy so that we can sort out the regulatory aspects that are at the root of much discarding – high grading, over-quota catches and so on.

“We also have to know how many fish are discarded – not knowing that undermines our best efforts at managing fish stocks sustainably.

“We’re determined to do our very best and we’re glad to welcome Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on board to add even more pressure for change.”

Link: www.seafish.org

waitrose

"We wholeheartedly support Hugh's Fish Fight campaign.  Waitrose has been working at the forefront of fish sustainability for more than 15 years, constantly evolving our policy to ensure Waitrose customers can buy all our fish with a clear conscience." says Mark Price, Managing Director, Waitrose.

"An example of this is our opposition to the practice of discarding, which is one of the reasons why we source all our cod, haddock and whiting from fisheries such as Iceland where the wasteful practice is illegal.

But if there is to be a sustainable future for world fish stocks then it's vital we all work together - from retailers to Government to consumers. Positive action is already taking place but  what is now needed is an acceleration of the work being achieved, and a strong political commitment to ensure necessary reforms are implemented.

There are relatively simple steps we can take to turn the tide on this - but we must take them now.  Which is why we support the Fish Fight campaign."

Website: Waitrose.com/fish

 

Findus Group (Young's seafood)

"We welcome this new campaign, which will help improve awareness of one of the most important sustainability issues in EU fisheries," says Leendert Den Hollander, Managing Director of Findus Group UK and Ireland.

"We all agree that discarding is a senseless waste of precious resources, we also have to remember this is a very complex problem to solve. Driven by our Fish for Life approach, our business has been actively lobbying for improvement for a number of years, and we are acutely aware there are no easy answers.

"Nevertheless, much of the fish which is currently eaten in the UK comes from outside the EU, sometimes from fisheries where discards are already illegal. Models for better practice already exist and there are growing signs of commitment to solve the issue from the UK fishing industry.

"We're hopeful therefore that - given the right regulatory reform - change can be achieved. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's campaign adds valuable momentum to that change."

Link: www.fishforlife.co.uk

Scottish Fisherman's Federation

"The Scottish Fishermen's Federation has welcomed the new ‘Fish Fight’ campaign launched by food campaigner and celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to end the practice of the discarding of fish," says Bertie Armstrong, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation.

"Responding to the launch of the campaign, Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the SFF, described the discarding of fish as a ‘madness’ that highlighted the need for urgent reform of regulations in the Common Fisheries Policy, which are at the root of the problem.

"He said the difference between this campaign and a plethora of previous initiatives is that this one recognises the real underlying problem of unfit regulation. The problem does not lie in the behaviour of fishermen but rather with the detail of the regulations - which must be complied with to stay within the law.

Link: sff.co.uk

National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO)

"Discards are a waste of the resource, impede recovery plans often represent a direct loss of earnings for fishing vessels, have a range of causes and damage the fishing industry’s reputation," says Barrie Deas, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, based in York.

"The Commission’s initiative to reduce discards has stalled, giving rise to initiatives such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Fight Fish campaign, which give voice to public concerns on the issue of discards.

"In a sense the Commission’s failure is not a surprise. The European Commission and the Common Fisheries Policy are simply not constructed in a way that allows them to successfully generate initiatives at individual fishery level.

"This is why the discards issue is also a question of CFP reform. Blanket and blunt legislative measures such as the ban on high-grading introduced in 2008 have achieved nothing and will achieve nothing. Until there is a radical decentralisation of the CFP little will be achieved.

"But this does not relieve the Commission from responsibility. In the short term it could work consistently to at least not increase discarding when setting TACs and in its other objectives. Discards are a massive problem; the least the Commission can do, pending reform of the CFP, is not make matters worse."

Link: nffo.org.uk

Icelandic

“Icelandic group are active members of an alliance, which includes WWF, to campaign for radical reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and end discards, says Nigel Edwards, Sustainability Director of the Icelandic Group.

"We welcome Hugh’s Fish Fight campaign as he will bring widespread public support and pressure on the European legislators who must tackle this horrendous waste of resources within EU fisheries.

"It is important to put this into context as most of the worlds stocks of cod and haddock are in very good shape and free from discards, such as those in Iceland and Norway where we purchase the majority of our cod and haddock.

"Icelandic Group is calling for the EU to stop discards whilst ensuring that fishermen have no incentive to catch juvenile or over quota fish.  Fishermen then have freedom to target the fish the market wants, knowing they will not waste the rest.

"Our role is to deliver sustainably caught (or farmed) high quality fish to consumers, at prices they can afford, to ensure we can all reap the huge health benefits from eating more fish.  We care with a passion about achieving this and Hugh will find we are very willing and active partners in his campaign.”

Link: icelandic.is

New ENGLAND SEAFOOD

"New England Seafood welcomes and supports Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's drive to raise awareness about the need to change EU Common Fisheries Policy and the discards it creates," says Dan Aherne, Managing Director of New England Seafood International Ltd.

"New England Seafood is one part of the many efforts to improve fisheries and we play an active role wherever we work," he adds.

"Joint working by all stakeholders in fisheries is a critical part of the goal to improve sustainability.

"A collaborative approach, from fishermen to politicians and throughout the supply chain, is what we believe is most likely to deliver results and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Fish Fight is an important addition to the campaign to reform the CFP.

"Teamed with WWF and many of our industry colleagues, we support Common Fisheries Policy reform since waste through discards makes no sense to anyone. We want fishery rules to allow fish consumers to make use of every fish caught rather than throw away good food.

"Since UK and EU consumers depend significantly on fish imported from outside the EU too, we believe that fishery improvement is important for every fishery from which UK consumers purchase fish, as well as our own EU waters.

"We recognise that our business and employees, fish consumers, fishermen and fishery ecosystems all depend on best fishery management practice to achieve enduring sustainability.

"As a conscientious participant in the fish industry New England Seafood believes in our duty to help protect those futures, hence we focus effort on advocating and implementing improved fishery practices and management, and in working together to achieve results, whether that's in a small island's coastal water, or on the high seas. We also support the MSC, and other NGOs, since we believe they too have an important role to play in our industry."

Link: neseafood.com

THE CO-OPERATIVE

"The Co-operative Group today (7 January) backed the campaign to reduce the number of fish discarded in the seas around the UK.

At present, half of all fish caught in the North Sea is being discarded because of the current quota system imposed by the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

The Co-operative, which applies its unique Responsible Fish Sourcing Policy to all its own-brand fish, including canned and frozen, and all own-brand products containing fish, such as sandwiches, is supporting the campaign to reform the Common Fisheries Policy.

Sean Toal, the Group’s Commercial Director for Food, said: “We want to see an end to this senseless waste, and we are calling on Commissioner Damanaki, the new EU Fisheries Commissioner, members of the European Parliament and state governments to use their influence to stop this unacceptable and shameful practice.”

The Co-operative is already working to reduce discards by supporting the Cumbria Discard Reduction Programme, an innovative project co-ordinated by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). This project brings together scientists and fishermen to develop solutions to reduce fishery discards. The Co-operative is co-funding the project which will work with the Cumbrian nephrops (scampi) fishery to reduce discards in the Irish Sea in 2011. A similar Cefas project, Project 50%, has already been very successful in reducing discards of the Devon beam-trawl fishery, with discard rates falling by more than 52%. Both 50 % and the Cumbrian project were commissioned and funded by Defra,

Last month, The Co-operative also committed to sourcing 100 per cent of its own-brand canned tuna from fisheries employing the sustainable pole and line fishing method by the end of 2013. Pole and line fishing is a selective way of catching tuna without the bycatch issues associated with other catch methods, and therefore has the potential to be the most environmentally and socially-sound method of fishing tuna.

In 2008, The Co-operative established a £200,000 fund to help UK fisheries complete the Marine Stewardship Council certification process to support a sustainable UK fishing industry. The first of these to receive MSC certification was the North Menai Strait mussel fishery, in November 2010. With support from The Co-operative, nine fisheries are currently under full MSC assessment, and the entire Sussex inshore fishery (including 26 separate fisheries) has completed the MSC pre-assessment, whilst one further fishery is undergoing pre-assessment. 

The Co-operative tops the latest Marine Conservation Society (MCS), a UK charity dedicated to the protection of seas, shores and wildlife, league table of supermarkets for supporting and selling sustainably-sourced fish.

The Co-operative is the only retailer to have eliminated all fish from the MCS Good Fish Guide’s “fish to avoid” list, and has the largest percentage of sales from the MCS’s “fish to eat” list."

Link: www.co-operative.coop

The Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS)

NCASS are fully behind the Fish Fight, we represent thousands of caterers throughout the UK and have encouraged them all to sign up to the campaign.

Discard is a shocking waste of good food and it needs to be scrapped.

Thanks for bringing it to everyone's attention.

Link: www.ncass.org.uk