Devon trawlermen reduce discarded juvenile fish by almost 60 percent

Radical approach by scientists to work alongside fishing fleet brings unprecedented results

An innovative partnership between scientists and the Devon beam trawler fleet aimed at helping to protect fish stocks, has led to skippers reducing the amount of juvenile fish discarded overboard by 57 percent, according to results announced today (Thursday, 3 December 2009).

This unprecedented success has been achieved, using modified nets as part of a revolutionary approach that uses a deep understanding of the behaviour and attitudes of fishermen. Previously this technique had only been used in health campaigns to change the public's lifestyles to reduce the UK's levels of cancer, obesity and sexually transmitted diseases.

Cefas scientists have worked closely with trawlermen who have volunteered to be involved in the project. Working in partnership they have drastically reduced the number of juvenile fish discarded overboard (typically because they have no market value or legislation forbids their landing and sale). Discarding is widely regarded as a waste of natural resources, disruptive to marine ecosystems and ethically undesirable. Before the trials, the Devon beam trawl fleet had one of the highest discard rates of English and Welsh fisheries.

Nicknamed Project 50% by all those involved, the voluntary trials aimed to reduce the number of juvenile fish thrown overboard by 50 percent. Many industry experts believed this to be an unrealistically high target, however the results published today show an unprecedented average reduction of 57 percent.

Dr Andy Revill of Cefas, the Project Manager for the Project 50% explains: "We have been working to reduce discards with fishermen for a number of years, but it has been hard to achieve lasting results. I had read about social research methods and so   approached Defra to fund this pilot project to see if this would help fishermen develop more sustainable practices for themselves."

Dr Revill continues: "The starting point is to understand the lives and attitudes of fishermen in detail, so that we could successfully work in partnership to achieve the desired results. Because we now have a much better understanding of what it's like to be a trawlerman, and have built theproject from the bottom up, the fishermen have achieved amazing results. They have been inspired by this approach and taken pride in what they have achieved."

The full results of the trials are being launched at an event in Exeter today, by Michael Caines, the Devon-based celebrity chef. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the project: "Fishing has been carried out from Brixham and Plymouth for almost 1,000 years, with the area being famous for its high-quality deep sea fish such as sole, turbot and plaice together with wonderful cuttlefish and scallop. I am really proud of the way fishermen have volunteered to reduce their catches of juvenile fish to protect stocks."

Trawlermen have been looking at ways to ensure the results of this project are not just a "one off". In a further development to make positive changes towards sustainable fishing practice, South West producer organisations and trawler owners have also announced today that they are working towards Marine Stewardship Council accreditation, for its key fisheries.

FULL RESEARCH RESULTS, PHOTOS AND DVD FOOTAGE AVAILABLE TO JOURNALISTS
Michael Caines, Dr Andy Revill (Cefas scientist) and Simon Armstrong (Cefas scientist) available for comment or interview.

Note to editors

1. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas) is an internationally renowned scientific research and advisory establishment and the UK's largest and most diverse applied marine science organisation. Operating as an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Cefas provides evidence-based scientific advice, manages related data and information, conducts world-class scientific research, and facilitates collaborative action through wide-ranging relationships, both in the UK and internationally.

Press enquiries:
Sue Nelson on 07758 250808 (24 hours) or
Anne McClarnon on 01502 524370 Email: anne.mcclarnon@cefas.co.uk

Seafish are supporters of this project. Contact Gaynyr Dickson at Seafish for further comment on 0131 524 8658

Fact file

• The Marine Fisheries Agency reports that there are around 13,000 fishermen working on 4,500 active vessels in the UK.
• The 2008 Seafish survey estimates that if the UK fish catching sector was removed entirely, the impact on the UK would be the loss of around 28,000 jobs throughout the wider economy.
• Discarding is widely regarded as a waste of natural resources, disruptive to marine ecosystems and ethically undesirable. Globally, 7.3 million tonnes of fish are discarded every year.¹ 
• Beam trawlermen in Plymouth and Brixham are famed for their catches of sole, plaice and turbot. Beam trawler nets tend to have a mesh size of at least 80mm, which catches a high degree of benthos (typically larger starfish, decaying matter, shells, plants and debris). The benthos is ecologically important, but has no commercial value and is an unwelcome component of the catches. There are also substantial catches of juvenile and non-commercial fish, for which there is no market or their landing and sale is forbidden by legislation.
• The net trials for Project 50% include bigger mesh sizes on nets to let juvenile fish escape. The two large "beams" on the boats are ideal for trials as one side can be used as a control, against the other with the new net designs. Catches can be directly compared, including the amount of benthos on deck and the number of juvenile fish discarded. The new nets are also lighter causing less drag from the boat so less horsepower is used, resulting in fuel savings. Reports from the skippers, so far, say the reduced benthos is giving an improved catch quality.
• According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Marine Accident Investigation Branch, the UK fishing industry experienced 180 fatal accidents between 1992 and 2006. These accidents resulted in the death of 256 fishermen, many times higher than for other areas within the UK workforce. For example, UK fishermen are subject to a fatal accident rate 24 times higher than construction workers.
• Michael Caines was born in Exeter and is one of Britain's most acclaimed chefs. He lost his right arm in a car accident in 1994, but has successfully continued as a talented chef. He was AA Chef's Chef of the Year in 2007, and awarded an MBE in 2006. Michael is Executive Chef at Gidleigh Park, on the edge of Dartmoor where he has earned two Michelin stars. He recently took part in BBC2's "The Great British Menu", representing the South West for the honour of cooking for The Queen's 80th birthday. 

[1]The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization estimate.