Welcome again to COAST’s monthly newsletter.

It’s that time in the democratic life-cycle again - the time when politicians migrate back to their old spawning grounds. These spawning grounds, otherwise known as constituencies, are vital for their political survival...

COAST’s chairman Howard Wood believes it is now time to start making our marine environment an election issue. ‘Unfortunately the sad state of our seas has been out of sight and out of mind for voters when it nears election time. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If we collectively understand that the health of our marine environment is crucial for the health of our economy, the management of our seas will become a voting issue."

"Local engagement in that marine management is an important stepping stone to help government come up with the right policies to safeguard our fisheries and the wider marine resource. Existing conservation measures are inadequate – so our commitment to create a network of Marine Protected Areas must surely be implemented as a matter of urgency. If we let the status quo prevail, future generations will not thank us. We now need new political will and real leadership to help conserve and regenerate our marine resource. Everyone as voters can apply that pressure.”

The sad thing is that few, if any, of the main parties make any concrete pledges in their manifesto by which to judge them. Please read on...

Local and national news

'Make our marine environment a voting issue'
The U.K. General Election is less than two weeks away now and C.O.A.S.T. (see opposite) is hopeful that voters will consider the marine environment policies of political parties when deciding where to put their cross on the ballot paper. This newsletter provides a quick overview of the main contenders....



Scottish National Party
Given that fisheries policy is a devolved matter, the Scottish National Party has one of the most strident and detailed outline of marine policy in their manifesto.

‘We will provide a strong voice for our fishing and agriculture sectors, holding the UK government to account while they represent these economically important industries in Europe. We believe a new approach is needed in the way Scotland is represented in the EU. Independence would give us our own seat at the top table of Europe, and until then, we will argue for Scotland to have an enhanced role within the UK, including leading on issues such as fisheries where Scotland has the majority UK interest ... Fishing contributes hundreds of millions to our economy every year and provides tens of thousands of jobs. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) forces fishermen to throw away about half the whitefish caught at a cost of some £60m. These discards are at the heart of the CFP’s failure. They represent a moral and environmental obscenity and stopping these discards is one of the keys to securing a more prosperous and sustainable future for Scots fishermen. The Scottish Government is working with the fishing industry and environmental groups to take forward measure such as CCTV, selective gear and real time closures and we believe this is the way forward so our fishermen can land more and earn more without the damage to the stocks that discards represent. We oppose the CFP and believe it should be replaced so that there is a bigger say for our fishing communities, more regional management and power over fisheries returned to Scotland.' (full manifesto)

Labour
The ruling administration talks a good headline, but detail is thin on the ground:

‘An economically viable and environmentally sustainable fishing industry is vital for our coastal communities. We will push for fundamental reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.’ (full manifesto)

The Conservatives
The Tories seem keen to push through Marine Conservation Zones (a measure which would affect only England) and make no specific reference as to how their planned CFP reform would impact Scotland.

‘We will protect and improve the UK’s natural environment, and pioneer new schemes to improve conservation. We will push for reform of the Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policies to promote sustainable farming and fishing ... We will fight for wholesale reform of the Common Fisheries Policy to encourage sustainable practices, give communities a greater say over the future of their fishing industries, and bring an end to the scandal of fish discards. We will take forward the Marine and Coastal Access Act and ensure that its conservation measures are implemented effectively, including the creation of Marine Conservation Zones.' (full manifesto)

Liberal Democrats
Aside from a mention of offshore renewable energy, there was absolutely no mention of the marine environment or the fishing industry in the Lib Dem’s manifesto.

Scottish Green Party

The Scottish Greens are perhaps the only party to spell out boldly the situation of depleted fish stocks but articulate a positive range of measures to protect fisheries and the environment:

'Greens support well-regulated, sustainable aquaculture and fisheries. We recognise the efforts being made by the fishing community to conserve depleted stocks, and the signs of recovery which should not be undermined. We would put in place a fishing community regeneration plan with the health of fish stocks at its heart, redirect fisheries subsidies towards recovery, and put in place a long-term management policy to revive stocks and secure livelihoods for fishing communities.

On fishing, we would:

- tighten controls on industrial fishing and put the emphasis on sustainable fishing, including regeneration zones, no take zones, quotas for bycatch of non-target species, onboard observers and marine protected areas

- work to reform, implement and enforce the Common Fisheries Policy, which is vital to sustainable fisheries in Scottish waters and internationally

- impose a moratorium on new fin-fish farms pending an enquiry into their environmental impacts, and move towards closed containment for smolt rearing

- investment in research into closed containment for sea based farms and sustainable feed sourcing (full manifesto)

It's tough to exercise a democratic freedom on such scant information, but Chair of C.O.A.S.T. Howard Wood sums things up: 'Political parties - especially the SNP - are quite rightly keen to blame the Common Fisheries Policy for the state of our fisheries. But what they conveniently ignore is that the first 6 miles of sea around our shores, ie the whole of the Clyde, are the responsibility of the Scottish Government. The Clyde is now often referred to as the Newfoundland of Europe due to the complete demise of commercial fishing for whitefish. It is within our power as voters to push for more meaningful measures to help our seas recover.'


C.O.A.S.T. conference will help communities have a say

This October COAST will be hosting a conference and seminar series on the subject of community-empowerment within the marine legislative framework. 'Empowering Coastal Community Stakeholders' will be held from Friday 22nd October to Sunday 24th October, is expected to attract delegates from a wide range of government, academic, policy and coastal community circles. It will cover the following areas.

* the latest research on Marine Protected Areas
* discussion on the value of ecosystem services
* discussion on who owns the fisheries
* science and stakeholders
* getting the balance between people, state and market-focused approach
* building networks of MPAs- next steps

Venue: Arran Outdoor Education Centre, Lamlash, Isle of Arran.

Wildlife Festival



COAST is supporting the Isle of Arran’s fifth annual Wildlife Festival. As part of a range of exciting wildlife activities COAST has organised trips to Holy Isle, a boat trip in Lamlash Bay, a beach walk, a talk and film evening and a presentation stall at the festival’s Wildlife Fun Day. For dates, times and a full itinerary of COAST-related events, click here.

Sneak preview of Lamlash Bay survey

Since Scotland’s first No Take Zone was established two years ago, it might seem that not much has changed, but scientists have been busy surveying Lamlash Bay. A full report is nearing publication, but click here for a sneak preview straight from the scientist’s mouth...




Public engagement highlighted in government report

An excellent report has just been published by Marine Scotland – Report on Social and Economic Objectives of A Scottish Marine Plan. It was written by Ruth Brennan, Tavis Potts and Laurence Mee at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). Lamlash Bay NTZ is used as a case study under Public Engagement, and there is an in-depth analysis of IFGs.

In the report there are some key statements:
“Their consistent conclusion has been that the Government Economic Strategy (GES) is far broader than an economic strategy alone. A strong social thread forms an integral part of the GES - through the Strategic Priority of Learning, Skills and Wellbeing and through the recognition of “our greatest asset, Scotland’s people” (GES, 2007). The environmental thread is firmly woven into the Strategic Priority of Equity which envisages promoting “economic growth and environmental quality and responsibility as mutually advancing” (GES, 2007). The interconnectedness of economic, social and environmental threads in the GES is evident from the three “golden rules” of growth – solidarity, cohesion and sustainability – which reflect the intrinsic importance of social equity, regional balance and respect for the environment via inter-generational equity (GES, 2007).”

Further the report highlights:
“As the membership of Inshore Fisheries Groups is currently restricted to commercial fishermen, it remains to be seen how/whether these groups will succeed in including wider coastal community interests in the management of the public fishing resource.”

Public Engagement is an important aspect of the report and Lamlash Bay and COAST form a case study (pages 98-102). There is a comprehensive report on the NTZ;  the stalemate over the rest of Lamlash Bay becoming a marine protected area and the conflict between COAST and the Clyde Fishermen’s Association (CFA), which resulted in the CFA withdrawing from co-operation with the Implementation Group. Included in a discussion on the way forward are a complexity of issues, including who has the right to fish and the status of IFGS, which only include commercial fishermen, and exclude COAST and all marine community stakeholders.  

Their analysis is sound. “Even though linking social and economic objectives to the marine environment (and/or to the related marine ecosystem objectives) may fuel conflict,and thus render the setting of marine objectives overall more complex, we believe that the Scottish Government’s overall Purpose (as described in Scotland Performs) of increasing sustainable economic growth can only be achieved by operating within ecosystem limits. In fact, operating within ecosystem limits is clearly articulated in Scotland Performs, under the headline National Outcomes for Environment.

The National Outcome states: “We must all live as part of nature. We must live within environmental limits, adapting our society to a greener approach. Fail to do so and future generations will consider us entirely negligent. We have their future in our hands. We must respect the planet's environment, resources and biodiversity.Only in this way can we achieve a sustainable economy which provides prosperity and opportunities for all, a society in which environmental costs fall on those who impose them and efficient use of natural resources is incentivised”

Petition brings fish farm problems into the mainstream
The Salmon and Trout Association has launched a petition to relocate Scottish salmon farms away from wild salmon rivers. After years of patient and pragmatic engagement with industry and government, the wild-fishing organisation has felt forced to break ranks and challenge the failure of legislation to tackle problems such as sea-lice and farmed salmon escapes. Prompting the petition are the depressingly muddy conclusions of a report published by the Tripartite Working Group Stock Restoration Strategy that “[I]t is not currently possible to recommend a specific approach [for restoration of stocks], for either salmon or sea-trout, because the underlying problem(s) remain undefined.” As The Field’s Andrew Wallace puts it: ‘Such confusion after nearly 20 years of well-documented salmon farming problems beggars belief to the extent that the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards and Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland have had to dismiss the report publicly.’ Click here to read the petition

Lamlash Bay MPA Progress?
We promised in the last newsletter to keep you informed of progress as assured by First Minister Alex Salmond.
To date there has been absolutely NO progress.

Overseas news

Unelected official to represent UK (and Scotland?) in EC fisheries talks

A little-known, relatively-inexperienced and unelected minister will be representing the UK’s interests in discussions about the future of the controversial European Common Fisheries Policy. Lord Davies, Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business will attend a crucial meeting of the Informal Fisheries Council in northern Spain on 4th and 5th of May.


Richard Lochhead says he will pursue alternative avenues of influence

Despite specific requests by Richard Lochhead (the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Fisheries) to attend, the unelected Lord Davies has been favoured. The decision has drawn an angry response from Jim Mather, MSP for Argyll and Scotland’s Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism: ‘This is a bizarre situation. Discussions are taking place on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy and the government has chosen to send an unelected and unaccountable member of a body which has previously recommended letting Scotland’s fishing industry be destroyed as a means of addressing the failure of other EU nations to regulate their fishing fleets. In 2008 the Lords proposed using high fuel costs to drive UK fishing vessels out of business’. For more detail read ForArgyll's treatment of the issue here.

Do we need more pirates?



It is a sorry, and for Scotland all-too-familiar, tale. All around Africa the inshore fish stocks are in serious decline or have collapsed. In an embarrassing and recent chapter of European history, the European Union acquired fishing rights to 15 African nations in 2002 after seriously depleting their own fish stocks in the EU jurisdiction.

When people in Angola started to starve the EU was condemned by WWF and other conservation and humanitarian organisations. There were also illegal commercial trawlers which affected Somalia and Kenyan artisanal fishermen. With a coastline of 3,300km - the longest in Africa – Somalia was robbed of an estimated $300 million of seafood according to the UN. Their fishing collapsed and to add insult to injury the 2004 tsunami washed up drums of toxic and radioactive waste – dumped illegally by European companies - onto African shores. Somalia did not have a navy or coastguard. And we all know that the Somalis, deprived of their livelihoods as fishermen, turned to piracy. Now, Somali pirates hit the international headlines by demanding multi-million pound ransoms for hostages, making shipping insurances prohibitively expensive.

It has caused havoc for international trade routes, but there is a great and locally relevant positive side to the story. Many foreigner trawlers are too afraid to enter the waters of both Somalia and Kenya, so there is no more dumping of waste or fish poaching. Already the stocks are improving and the by-product of all this piracy is that unofficial marine reserves and ‘no take zones’ have been established along a huge stretch of coast. Kenyan fishermen say the stocks are now recovering leading some to conclude that Somali pirates are really hands-on environmentalists. One thing it clearly shows is that given a chance the oceans depleted of fish can recover given time, political and community will and ‘effective patrolling’ of the waters.

A few fishy facts folk should know
- The Salmon & Trout Association's 'Save our Scottish Wild Salmon' petition has been signed by over 12,000 people
- 25% of fish sold as haddock and cod in UK supermarkets and fish and chip shops is in fact NOT cod or haddock, but a whitefish alrternative such pollack, saithe or whiting.
- The global fishing fleets are 250% larger than the world's seas can sustainably support. (WWF)
- In 2004, 13,000 new marine species were discovered

‘Fish of the month’

To help promote the 2010 year of biodiversity we are featuring a ‘fish of the month' in each edition to introduce subscribers to the many species of fish which are struggling to survive in the Clyde. This month's fish is the lumpsucker, a prickly, flabby and slimy wee customer about which not very much is known. Take a look.

Latin name: Cyclopterus lumpus

Normal size: 8 inches - 18 inches

Weight: up to 18lbs

Diet: benthic (seabed-dwelling) species feed on inverterbrates such as worms, and also crustaceans and molluscs. They will also feed on fish too.

Habitat: lumpsuckers prefer to inhabit the floor of the continental shelf at depths ranging from 100m-1700m. However, they will move to shallower intertidal waters to breed. Despite their classicly ugly appearance, the lumpsucker's roe is esteemed as an alternative to caviar. 

Video links

We’re flagging up a few good video links in this newsletter. First up is a punchy Canadian campaign video decrying the potentially disastrous impacts of industrial fish farming on the world’s wild salmon.

‘Everyone Loves Wild Salmon, Don't They?’

In highly entertaining and upbeat contrast is a ‘TED’ speaker extolling the virtues of a more enlightened and sustainable form of fish farming:

‘How i fell in love with a fish’

And lastly, the Scottish Government seem intent on getting the next generation hooked on fish, despite the ongoing issues of sustainability which afflict the industry.

‘Scottish Fish on the School Menu’

Thanks

If you have enjoyed reading this newsletter and feel supportive of COAST’s work, please get in touch. Like all community organisations, we are run by a small group of dedicated volunteers. If you would like to offer any financial support, you can donate via the website. Alternatively feel free to contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thank you for reading COAST’s second newsletter. We hope you are looking forward to the next month’s edition already.

Coming in the next newsletter:

- A discussion of the 'public right to fish'

- MSC sustainability certification explored