Documents | Seafish

Size-price dependency in the market for whitefish

Seafish analysed data on sales of cod and haddock at Peterhead auction between 2006 and 2015 to estimate how much fish size influenced price at auction. Further analysis was done to estimate how a lower average size of landed fish could impact fishing revenues. The study found strong evidence of size-dependent pricing for both species and estimated that if selectivity is not improved, fishermen operating whitefish vessels could earn £21,000 less in gross annual fishing income from cod and haddock landings, compared to pre-landing obligation fishing revenues. The study suggests that if selectivity is improved, fishermen could achieve a higher overall value for their landings than if they land the same proportion of small fish that they were catching before the landing obligation was implemented.

Quick summary of 2018 ICES advice for the seven key pelagic species (up to October 2018)

Seafish continues to support the fishmeal industry through the provision of news and factual information. This quick summary of the 2018 ICES advice (up to 8 October 2018) covers blue whiting, capelin, herring, mackerel, Norway pout, sandeel and sprat.

Alternative Marine Conservation Zones in Irish Sea mud habitat: potential for fisheries displacement and an assessment of habitat condition and potential management scenarios.

Areas of potential alternative Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) sites representing mud habitat within the UK Irish Sea regional sea were selected at a stakeholder engagement meeting in October 2014. In order to assess the suitability of these sites within the Irish Sea regional area, existing data were examined to assess habitat condition, variation and how well these meet the mud habitat criteria set by the UK government. Nephrops stock assessment video surveys were utilised along with grab sample data, across both eastern and western Irish Sea areas. Macroinvertebrate community analysis was undertaken on the grab infaunal data, along with analysis of sediment parameters. The level of disturbance was also examined through benthic community assessment relating to successional stage.

FS42-12.09_Multi rig trawling - How it has developed

In the last 25 years multi rig trawling has been taken up by much of the UK fishing fleet. The development of multi-rig trawling has probably had as big an influence on the present day trawling industry as the change from sail power to steam and diesel power did many years ago. This fact sheet is the first in a series on multi rig trawling and looks at its history, and the methods being used today.

Construction Standards for fishing vessels 15m length overall to 24m registered length - welding

Includes sections on: Preparation, Dimensions of welds, Materials, Aluminium alloys, Welding details and Symbols.

The development of a novel hatchery system for the Ormer Haliotis tuberculata

‘Pinkstones’ are natural stones covered with coralline algae which secrete a hard pink coloured calcium carbonate coating. The relationship between the coralline alga Lithothamnion sp. and the settlement of abalone has been noted previously, but not seemingly exploited at a commercial level. Heasman reports that in the case of H. rubra not only does the production of GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) play a significant role in mirroring neurotransmitters involved in metamorphosis from the free swimming planktonic stage to the post-larval settlement stage, but the ‘antifouling cells’ used to keep the surface of the alga clean are of the right size to provide initial nutrition before the larger diatoms can be consumed. If this is linked to the reporting that 1 litre of ‘pinkstones’ can accommodate up to 60,000 post larval abalone and they can survive and grow over the following 8-10 days before selectively migrating, largest first, then they can become vector stones with the potential for commercial exploitation. This project was designed to establish if this was the case with Ormers and if so how to utilise the process to advance the aquaculture of the species.

Automated counting systems for use in marine hatcheries

The use of image processing and analysis software in aquaculture can reduce time and manpower in the execution of certain repetitive and error-prone tasks such as counting of live feed organisms in marine fish hatcheries. Accordingly, the Institute of Aquaculture in collaboration with Machrihanish Marine Farm Ltd. has developed a software algorithm and image capture system which identifies, discriminates and counts rotifers under laboratory conditions. Rotifers are produced and used as live feeds in marine fish hatcheries and a cost effective automated system has potential for manual use in commercial hatcheries where manual counting is time consuming, tedious and often inaccurate. The objective of this project was to develop a robust, efficient and affordable image acquisition and analysis system suitable for use under practical conditions in the hatchery. The project involved procurement and optimisation of appropriate equipment and analytical image analysis system for on-farm use, and on-farm testing to develop and improve protocols and analytical algorithms to permit efficient use of the system under hatchery conditions.

Work currently being undertaken by Seafish aiming to improve fuel efficiency in the fishing fleet

Seafish has a long and rich history of improving efficiency in the fishing industry. Many developments in gear and onboard equipment have their roots in Seafish and include items such as the plastic fish-box, sonar and fish finders as well as power blocks, hydraulic net drums and various trawl designs. Research and Development remains an important facet of Seafish’s work but today it is firmly backed up with advice and support to fishermen and businesses to assist them to make the right decisions for their individual business.

Seafish response to the Consultation on Marine Licensing for Scotland under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

This is a response to the Consultation on Marine Licensing for Scotland under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The consultation papers are available here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/09/16112721/0

Labour and Employment in UK seafood processing April to June 2018

Quarterly survey on employment and labour issues with UK seafood processing businesses from April to June 2018

Seafish response to Consultation on the Review of the Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002

Defra invited views on the European Commission’s proposal to replace the Animal By-Products Regulation 1774/2002/EC, which lays down health rules as regards animal by-products not intended for human consumption. Parallel consultations are being undertaken in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. To read the consultation go to: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/animalbyproducts/letter.htm

Improving the selectivity of towed fishing gears

New Prawn Trawl Designs to Avoid Capture of Unwanted Bycatch

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