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| Does the Cornish Fishing industry have a future? |
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Page 1 of 2 Does the Cornish fishing industry have a future? Cathrin Vaughan examines the prospects of one of Cornwall’s oldest traditional industries. We’ve seen the headlines: fish stocks in crisis, quotas cut, the marine environment facing catastrophe – while, conversely, others say Cornwall is a special case that offers a manageable future for fishing.  Yet can good management ensure there will be plenty more fish in the sea? Yes, says an industry spokesman whose watchword is ‘sustainability”. Paul Trebilcock, chief executive officer of the Cornwall Fish Producers Organisation (CFPO), continues: “Fish stocks are the last of our worries – fleet and fish are something near in balance now. Until three or four years ago we had the ridiculous situation of scientists saying we had to have restrictions, and we were walking on the backs on those fish.” He said inviting Government scientists to work on board Cornish fishing boats has turned that situation around. Cornwall’s diverse fish stocks make it a special case, with 40–50 commercial species. A dozen are subject to quotas, but turbot, brill, lemon sole and squid, for example, are ‘non-pressure’ stock. The Cornish fleet is also diverse in vessel size and fishing gear, making it particularly versatile. Paul says: “If we have a bad year in terms of restrictions on any one species, we can turn our hand to others. This is good for stocks too, so if one stock’s a bit shaky, we can diversify.” He says the concept of sustainability has been taken on board by the pioneering Cornish fishing industry. “We, the industry, proposed the seasonal closure off Trevose Head – 3,500 square miles is closed in February and March when the cod are spawning. It was a hard decision, a sacrifice, but with an eye on the future. “We see sustainability as a multidimensional thing. A fisherman’s investment in his boat is for the long term. It’s about earning money, but for the next 30 years. We have been, and are, doing a pretty good job.” Paul maintains DEFRA’s current consultation paper Fisheries 2027 reflects an economic policy that would push fishing into the hands of a small number of operators. “That’s not particularly healthy because then it’s driven by shareholders. With smaller boats comes diversity, an element of stewardship, because fishermen want to safeguard their own future.” A small number of big boats might be easier for DEFRA to control, but he regards this as the worst possible way to manage Cornwall’s fisheries. “Cornwall and the South West are completely different, but there is no recognition in Fisheries 2027 of a regional dimension. We want to safeguard the diversity of the fleet, ensure we catch a range of species. “There are some worrying implications – economics versus community. We’re saying, hang on, let’s draw breath here, and fit together economics, environment, and safeguarding communities, jobs and other reliant industries.” Anglers pose a growing challenge to Cornwall’s commercial fishermen, with Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw increasing the minimum landing size for bass to 40 cm from April. Paul protests: “It was a pre-election promise to appease anglers – 1 million of them. But if French boats are still landing bass at 36 cm – can anyone tell me the logic of that?” Then there is global warming. “Climate change may be a double-edged sword – we’ve had tuna caught just 50 miles from here, and there are more bream and red mullet recently. If the cod disappear because it’s got warmer, Cornish fishermen are adaptable.” Paul says crewing is a definite worry, and short-term Eastern European labour will not provide the next generation of skippers. “Young people don’t necessarily see the attraction of working at sea – it’s long hours, hard work. If you read about fishing or see it on TV, it’s always a problem – quotas up, boats sunk, green issues. It’s a perception thing. “But it can be particularly rewarding. With share fishing, a big catch means big money. It’s an adventure, it’s not boring. Today’s fishing industry is as mentally demanding as any job, with computerised navigation, fish-finding, radar, radio – it’s a challenging, interesting job. There are definite opportunities – if you start on deck, you can get to the wheelhouse, you can own a boat.” Another concern is over fishing quota being sold out of Cornwall. The CFPO manages quota for its members, who include 80 per cent of the Cornish fleet over 10 metres, and also holds £800,000 worth of quota. Paul says: “We buy quota that’s useful to the Cornish fleet and we put it in a pool for the benefit of our members. “We also set up the Duchy Fish Quota Company, which has £130,000-worth of quota. They lease back quota on an annual basis, to generate money to buy more quota.” St Ives MP and Liberal Democrat fisheries spokesman Andrew George believes quotas are a ‘blunt instrument’, and would rather see initiatives like the Trevose Head closure. He says: “The tradeability of the quota system is a worry for Cornish fishermen – keeping it in Cornwall is really important. “I do have worries about the tradeability of quotas. Eventually the rich and powerful will hold the power, and they will lease quota to fishermen who will find it harder to make a living. Economic efficiency will be the order of the day – fewer, larger ships will be out there, smaller fishermen will struggle. “Then there is vertical integration – the beginning of a trend in which supermarkets take up ownership or interests in boats. The fishermen become managers, run by the retailers, which I don’t think is a good move.” Andrew maintains the UK fishing industry has been in ‘perpetual crisis’ since the Common Fisheries Policy allocated fixed quota percentages to member states – called Relative Stability. The Cornish fishing industry was dealt a ‘rum hand’ compared to North Sea fishermen, with an ‘infinitesimally small’ quota. |
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