The UK Fishing Forum saw 70 representatives from across the fishing industry gather together to tackle future challenges and opportunities.
It included a presentation of the interim findings from a major new piece of research which looks into the key issues impacting fishermens’ lives compiled by Cornwall Rural Community Charity and Rose Regeneration.
“This work is timely in shining a light on a little understood community of resilient and resourceful fishermen who have often missed out on “one size fits all” social and economic interventions,” said Barry Bryant, chair of the Forum and Director General of Seafarers UK, which organised the forum.
Research aim
Mr Bryant said the aim of the research is to provide an agenda for future action to allow all stakeholders to work together to make a significant and sustainable impact to the UK fishing community.
Many areas of need were identified in the survey including a lack of funding for simple port infrastructure and equipment; low workforce recruitment and retention; poor health amongst fishermen and the knock-on effects of a limited access to quota.
The report also highlights those areas of potential opportunity for pro-active work in tackling the need and challenges identified in the research such as the use of credit unions, money advice and pensions and better workforce recruitment and retention.
The interim ‘Fishing for a Future’ report is available for download and the final report is due to be published in late Spring 2018.
