The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation (NFFO) has brokered an agreement between a number of producer organisations (POs) and fishermen in the South East and Thames Estuary, UK.
The under 10m fleet from Harwich, West Mersea, Ramsgate, Folkestone, Dungeness, Rye and Selsey met with representatives from nine POs to make headway on the quota problems being faced in the region.
Barrie Deas, chief executive of the NFFO said the problems facing the under-10m pool were largely because the pool arrangement was not designed to accommodate the high catches. “Drawing this category of vessel into a collaborative arrangement with the POs, and working on a group basis, should certainly benefit those vessels but it should also leave the pool in a more stable position," he said.
The NFFO says there are now options for under 10s and help on how to work closely with a PO and quota managers to maximise the available quota.
The agreement also focuses on the real quota pinch points in both the North Sea and Eastern Channel: skates and rays, sole, code and lemon sole and plaice.
The NFFO is putting its weight behind representations to Defra/MMO for the continuation of the Ramsgate pilot, which is due to end soon.
