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Seafish is convinced that the Welsh Government has not put forward a sound scientific or legal basis for setting up the proposed Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). The proposal does not satisfy the criteria for the grounds for designating a MCZ as set out in Section 117 of the Marine and Coastal Access ACT 2009. An adequate marine protected area in any case already exists in Welsh waters. Other grounds for the establishment of the MCZs are not underpinned by evidence - e.g. although there is no evidence that the area needs ecosystem recovery and remediation, these are stated as grounds for setting up the MCZ. Seafish also points out that No Take Zones are not advisable in this situation and suggests better collaboration with fishermen to formulate ecosystem-based management strategies.

The aim of this project was to assess the potential for the use of pulsed light to extend the shelf-life of seafood by reducing the microbial loading on the product surface. Trials were undertaken to establish if pulsed light could reduce the level of naturally present organisms including Pseudomonas on raw cod, smoked salmon slices and cooked whelks. Further trials explored the inactivation of Listeria innocua inoculated onto the surface of cooked cockles, cooked and picked crab meat, smoked salmon slices and cooked whelks.

This study was undertaken to determine whether the length of existence of a stretch of intertidal foreshore created by managed realignment impacted the growth of Cerastoderma edule (cockle). Comparative growth as determined by average length was monitored for a periodof 48 weeks at three Essex foreshore sites. At the end of the trial, no significant differences between the sites were found. Keywords Shellfish; Cockle; Managed Realignment; Regulated Tidal Exchange; Foreshore;

This quick summary looks at the June and autumn 2014 ICES advice with reference to discards. It covers North Sea, Celtic Sea and West of Scotland, and Baltic Sea stocks.

With changes in waste legislation, shellfish waste management has become increasingly difficult and expensive. This has significantly affected the shellfish processing sector, particularly the crustacea sector as there is a lack of cost-effective outlets for their waste. Disposal costs of more than £60 per tonne are common, which is not economically viable for many businesses. To establish whether it is possible for UK processors to generate an income or reduce the costs of crustacea waste disposal, Seafish initiated a project to look at the range of options available for crustacea waste management and identify which have potential for the UK processing sector. The project looked at all the crustacea species processed in the UK and the range of products or extracts that can be produced. The project identified two main options for crustacea waste management; use or disposal as ‘waste’ off-site or making it available for use in other products. Each option has its own issues; legalities, technical feasibility, outlets for the products etc. On the basis of the information collected, it will continue to be difficult for the crustacea processing industry to cost-effectively meet the demands of waste disposal legislation for the foreseeable future. Many different routes have and are being explored, but no breakthrough technology or solution has emerged. There are some opportunities to generate a financial return from crustacea waste, but investments in capital and the requirements for effective management remain a significant hurdle to achieving a return on investment. There is no single, simple, cost-effective solution for crustacea waste management. This report summarises the main finding of the project. Further detailed information is available on the Seafish B2B website (Gaining Value from Crustacea Waste Project). This includes an Excel workbook which will be periodically updated with new information as it becomes available. The spreadsheet can be accessed at http://www.seafish.org/b2b/info.asp?p=102

This work investigated the accuracy and precision of fuel flow meters that may be used on commercial fishing vessels to give real-time indication of engine fuel economy during operations. The study looked into the most accurate way to meter fuel consumption on a commercial fishing vessel, the cost of this to fishermen, how straightforward the device would be to fit on a fishing vessel and whether the sensors are suited to the demanding environmental conditions onboard fishing vessels. The study looked at the performance of six different individual fuel flow meters and four complete fuel monitoring solutions when tested on a marine diesel engine.

This is a response to Defra's consultation on a marine planning system for England of 21 July 2010. The consultation papers are available here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-planning/index.htm

Commercial-scale evaluation of advanced microbiological control techniques for marine finfish larval rearing in the UK.

A report of the third meeting of the ICES Study Group on Turned 90° Codend Selectivity, focusing on Baltic Cod Selectivity (SGTCOD), May 2011.

This report resulted from the introduction of legislation making square mesh panels mandatory in a number of UK fisheries.

Average gross earnings for North Sea and West of Scotland whitefish vessels are fairly stable compared to 2004. The marked increase in fuel costs, and high spend on leasing days at sea and quota have diminished average net profits for vessels in this segment compared to 2004. On average, over 24 metre whitefish vessels are expected to make a small loss or break- even, while under 24 metre vessels are expected to just cover their operating costs. Nephrops vessels struggled with poor weather early this year, and landings have varied by area, with North Sea landings up. Nephrops vessels also encountered higher fishing expenses than last year and therefore net profits are expected to be lower.