Get to know our 2023 fishing fleet survey team
The 2023 fishing fleet survey is now live, with field researchers travelling across the UK to speak to commercial fishing vessel owners. The annual fleet survey is a major piece of research, but it’s also an opportunity for researchers to talk to skippers around the country, listen to their experiences and learn about the challenges in the sector.
Fleet Survey researchers are our eyes and ears in the field and the friendly faces you’ll be meeting during this summer. To keep track of their travels and find out when they’ll be in your area, head over to our Fleet Survey page.
In the meantime, get to know our 2023 researchers!
Phoebe Kelly
Tell us a bit about yourself
I graduated university with a Human Geography degree this summer. Applying for this role at Seafish was a no brainer for me. Coming from a huge fishing family, the preservation and protection of the industry is very important to me, therefore anything to enhance its sustainability is amazing in my eyes. A hobby of mine is travelling, I love to venture out my comfort zone and experience new cultures. My favourite country so far is India. With just graduating, I am currently finding my way in life, and I am excited to see where the adventures lead me, starting with the most exciting on - my role as a Seafish fleet researcher.
What are your favourite seafood memories?
Being from a fishing family and growing up in a seaside town my seafood memories are endless and it’s hard to select just one. However, my most fond memory is working in my Grandma’s seafood stalls along Filey Beach during the summers growing up. Witnessing the enthusiasm and interest the tourists had in the industry and its heritage is something I have always carried with me. Also learning the array of skills that come with handling seafood from my grandma herself who has done so for years. I am very proud to be part of the industry and its culture.
What are you looking forward to the most while working as a fleet researcher?
I am most excited to visit all the different ports and discover harbours I have never seen before. I want to immerse myself in the localities of each area and enjoying the fishing history that comes along with it. I am also looking forward to being the ears for those who feel they don’t get listened to enough and point them in the right direction to get help.
Jim Bruce
Tell us a bit about yourself
Since graduating from Cardiff Uni with a BSc in Marine Studies I’ve always been involved with the sea. From living on boats to working in the shipping industry, from delivering yachts to undertaking shore search studies. I’m interested in marine businesses of all types, and I’m used to talking to all kinds of people, especially those who work in and around boats.
What are your favourite seafood memories?
I can’t decide…between teenage Saturdays catching mackerel with my mate out on our tiny fishing boat in the Solent, and diving for scallops off Skye and eating them straight from the pan.
What are you looking forward to the most while working as a fleet researcher?
Understanding different fishing business models, learning about how their boats are designed the way they are for their gear type and meeting some great personalities.
Felicity Spoors
Tell us a bit about yourself
I started off studying Zoology and quickly got hooked on everything marine – particularly on fish, fisheries and our dependence on marine resources. I went on to study Marine Ecosystem Management at the University of St Andrews and became a research assistant there, working with the Coastal Resources Management Group. Whilst there, I was involved in several research projects including a socio–economic survey of the Outer Hebrides Creel Limitation Pilot Scheme. I enjoyed chatting to fishers, listening to their stories and learning more about the industry
What are your favourite seafood memories?
My favourite memories are laughing at my cousin desperately trying to get winkles out of their shells, meeting an orange lobster in the Hebrides and seeing my first crayfish.
What are you looking forward to the most while working as a fleet researcher?
I am looking forward to spending time by the sea, learning more about the industry, seeing more of the UK and meeting some friendly faces!
Emma Farnsworth
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m from Yorkshire but went to Newcastle Uni to study Marine Biology. During my studies I learned about the socio-economic value of the UK seafood industry and the importance of promoting sustainability within this sector. I’m interested in the various challenges faced by the seafood industry and the strategies by which these can be mitigated.
After I graduated last summer, I spent some time in America before heading to France to work for the winter season. As someone who loves to travel, I’m excited to be visiting ports and harbours all around the UK.
What are your favourite seafood memories?
A spent a day trawl fishing of the North East coast collecting data for a university project. We were able to keep our catch and I managed to get a couple of lobsters. It felt very rewarding to have made a catch and then to cook and eat what I caught. It was definitely the fanciest meal I ate as a student!
What are you looking forward to the most while working as a fleet researcher?
I’m really looking forward to gaining some first-hand insight in to the UK fishing sector. The Fleet Survey offers a great opportunity to learn about the industry from those who know it best. I’m excited to meet vessel owners and skippers and gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and successes hat those within the industry experience.
Alongside our four new researchers you’ll notice some familiar faces, such as Sheriene Murphy and Rebecca Spain who we profiled last year.
As the Fleet Survey Project Manager, I’ll also be visiting a few ports this summer, for the fifth year in a row.
I hope you’ll join us in welcoming our 2023 Fleet Survey team, and look out for them, coming to your port soon!
Take part in the fleet survey
If you have any questions about the survey or you would like to take part in the 2023 Fishing Fleet Survey, please contact the team on fleet.survey@seafish.co.uk or call 07966 764150.
To keep track of their travels and find out when they’ll be in your area, head over to our Fleet Survey page.