A six-figure European Marine Fisheries Fund (EMFF) grant will aid research into the sustainability of six UK fisheries as part of Project UK Fisheries Improvements (PUFKI).
£225,664.05 (€250,000) will be used for Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) to improve the data, impacts and understanding of North Sea plaice & lemon sole; south west crab and lobster; Channel scallops; and South West monkfish, so that these fisheries can undergo MSC assessment within five years.
Dr Stephen Mangi, Cefas lead scientist for the MSC-facilitated project, said: “For Project UK Fisheries Improvement (PUFKI), our team of fisheries scientists will provide analysis and advice to ensure that the MSC fishery improvement programmes or the six commercially important species are underpinned by rigorous and scientifically credible data and information.
“PUKFI has developed and is in the process of implementing action plans for each fishery and will track progress using the MSC's bench-marking and tracking tools as they work towards MSC sustainability certification.”
Reseach
The grant will provide funding for, among other projects, a postdoctoral scientist to conduct research into the channel scallop fishery. It will also provide funds for Cefas to carry out data assessments and research to understand more about the fisheries and fill in the gaps in their sustainability.
Multi-stakeholder steering groups involving the fishing industry, fishery managers, scientists and supply-chain will carry out the project.
The MSC is working in conjunction with the stakeholders to bring investment into the UK fishing industry.
FIPs use the fishery improvement project tools developed by the MSC.
