Academic lawyer Tom Appleby lifts the lid on 50 years of the muddy mismanagement of a public resource.

Quota in the fishing sector is a thorny issue. Recently, Tory backbencher Amber Rudd asked the UK Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon whether there would be a reallocation of VIID cod quota in the light of a failure by the over 10 meter sector to use all of theirs year on year.  Benyon responded that quota hadn’t been reallocated traditionally for a variety of reasons:

• Quota holders may be retaining their quota to fish later in the year, or to use as swap currency to acquire different quota.

• The prospect of such reallocation can encourage a race to fish, which could mean that a fish stock is targeted out of season, thus increasing effort and discards of other stocks.

• Such reallocation may also impact on prices due to a surplus of fish on the market.

Extract from a letter July 2010

CLYDE INSHORE FISHERIES GROUP Chairman: Dr Billy Sinclair. As Chair of the Clyde IFG, I think that organisations such as COAST should play a proactive role in the continued development of the Clyde and its related fisheries.

As such, I would like to reaffirm that my earlier invitation to you, for COAST to join the Advisory Group for the Clyde IFG, is still open should you wish to take it up, thereby giving COAST a voice at the most appropriate point in the overall process of fisheries development within the Clyde.

I look forward to the future where a healthy vibrant Clyde is supporting not only a commercial viable and sustainable inshore fishing industry, but also a rich and biodiverse marine environment which can safely be enjoyed by all.

READ FULL LETTER

Creelers and Scallop divers environmentally friendly fisheries.

Article courtesy of  http://forargyll.com/

Creel marker buoys like those pictured are a common sight around the west coast of Scotland especially in Argyll. Creels are caged structures with an access for the intended catch to access the bated cage. Escape is prevented by the design of the entrance. These creels are commonly used for catching prawns and crabs.

Throughout Argyll relatively small fishing boats from numerous rural locations around the coast set a series of creels in local areas known to the fishermen for giving good returns. This method of fishing has been carried out for thousands of years and includes the larger lobster pots - although these are becoming increasingly rare around the whole of the UK.

But is this a sustainable fishery?

 

COMMUNITY OF ARRAN SEABED TRUST ANNUAL REPORT
ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH COAST 2008-2009

Archived News

C.O.A.S.T. news article history 1995-2009

 

2009

12th November 2009. Greens: Scottish government failing over Arran no take zone Read

 

26th June 2009. COAST responds to Firth of Clyde Draft Marine Spatial Plan Read

 

11th June 2009. COAST responds to Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee Read

 

Howard Wood chosen as a Green Champion of Scotland in 2009 Read

 

CBBC Green Balloon Club visit the NO TAKE ZONE Read

 

The Arran Show 2009 Read

 

Baseline Scientific Monitoring continues throughout 2009 Read

 

Howard Woods comments on whether COAST and Scotland are making any progress towards sustainable seas in June 2009 Read

 

The End of the Line 2009 Read

 

Arran Wildlife Festival 2009 Report: COAST celebrates Scotlands Cool Seas Read

 

May 2009 Sea Shore Safari Read

 

COAST respond to Firth of Clyde Draft Marine Spatial Plan Read

 

COAST respond to Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee Read

 

Just what has happened in the Clyde over the last 50 years Read

 

Community rejoice at the decision to refuse consent to a Fish Farm, 8th March 2009 Read

 

Reporter rejects Marine Harvest Appeal for new Fish Farm, 26th February 2009 Read

 

 

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2008

COAST response to Recorder on Fish Farm, 5th December 2008 Read

 

Proposed Fish Farm at Clauchlands Point, 27th November 2008 Read

 

NTZ. infringement by Nick Underdown, 30th October 2008 Read

 

Baseline survey, October 2008 Read

 

Summary of consultation, October 2008 Read

 

Fish Farm threat, 26th February 2008 Read

 

Press release: Scotlands first Marine No Take Zone, January 2008 Read

 

 

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2007

Scotsman newspaper covers COAST campaign on 6th November 2007 Read

 

S.N.P. conference Aviemore, October 2007 Read

 

"Towards a coherent network of Marine Protected Areas" conference, October 2007 Read

 

COAST divers continue to monitor Lamlash Bay, summer 2007 Read

 

Visit to Arran by Natural England, June 2007 Read

 

BBC News 24 broadcast live from Lamlash Pier, May 2007 Read

 

COAST give presentations across Britain, Spring 2007 Read

 

Scottish Executive supports joint COAST and Clyde Fishermans proposal, February 2007 Read

 

COAST object to Marine Harvests proposed new Fish Farm at Clauchlands Read

 

 

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2006

"Planet Earth" cameraman films for COAST, summer 2006 Read

 

Arran Banner cover Chairmans visit to the Palace, December 2006 Read

 

Parliament's E&RD committee ask Minister to move COAST proposal forward, September 2006 Read

 

Scottish Parliament's Environment Committee visits Arran 31st August 2006 Read

 

Parliament's Environment Committee to visit Arran, August 2006 Read

 

The Chairman of COAST comments on MSP Ross Finnie's letter, 6th August 2006 Read

 

Letters from Ross Finnie MSP Read

 

COAST, SNH-COAST and the Scottish Parliment Read

 

Scotsman Newspaper article, 8th June 2006 Read

 

February's Ray of Hope, 2006 Read

 

Island Community denied justice Read

 

 

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2005

November Update 2005 Read

 

A busy month, September 2005 Read

 

The Petition,the show, and Jack Read

 

Scottish Water finally see sense, July 2005 Read

 

COAST meet the Minister, June 2005 Read

 

Scotsman article on Greenpeace, May 2005 Read

 

COAST visit Cadispa and Finland, April 2005 Read

 

Endorsement by Minister, March 2005 Read

 

5th Proposal produced and sewage pipe ultimatum, February 2005 Read

 

Scottish Environmental link endorsement, January 2005 Read

 

 

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2004

Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions meeting minutes, 22nd December 2004 Read

 

Press release Alan Wilson, 27th September 2004 Read

 

COAST Update summary, Spring-Summer 2004 Read

 

Scientific and Prime Ministers report back COAST policies, April 2004 Read

 

COAST meet with fishermen, SNH and Government, January 2004 Read

 

 

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2003

Protecting fish and fishermen, Article from the WWF, October 2003 Read

 

Marine Reserves, Article from The New Scientist Read

 

WWF. welcomes commitment to new strategy for the seas, 28th October 2003 Read

 

RV AORA visiting Arran, 31st October 2003 Read

 

Good news for Darwin Mounds, July 2003 Read

 

Arran Seabed meet with Carradale Fishermen, May 2003 Read

 

COAST, Spotlight on the Seabed, April 2003 Read

 

 

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1995

 

Don't believe everything Governments tell you, August 1995 Read