Web pages | Seafish

Search results

We found 465 results for "" in Web pages
  • Responsible sourcing

    The UK works hard to ensure it has a responsible seafood industry. Find out how to make your business more environmentally and socially responsible.
  • Understanding sustainability and responsible seafood sourcing

    We’ve collated information and guidance on sustainability, responsible sourcing and related challenges and initiatives across seafood supply chains.
  • Bycatch and protected species

    There is action underway to minimise to fishing bycatch and to monitor protected species.
  • Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

    MPAs cover almost a quarter of UK waters and have a diverse range of conservation goals, including protecting fish, seabirds and habitats.
  • Fish stock assessment and management

    Sustainable fisheries management is vital in maintaining healthy fish stocks. We’ve produced guidance on how stock assessment and management works.
  • Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing

    Unauthorised fishing or activity that breaches regional, national or international laws is known as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
  • UK fisheries management and supply chain initiatives

    We’re working with industry and government on a number of initiatives to protect fish and shellfish stocks for future generations.
  • Risk assessments and tools for fisheries management

    We’ve developed risk assessment frameworks for wild capture fisheries. Find out how they support fisheries management and seafood sourcing.
  • Future of Our Inshore Fisheries

    Future of Our Inshore Fisheries (FOIF) is an industry-led project with the long-term aim of transforming how inshore fisheries are managed.
  • Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs)

    Information on what Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) are, which plans we are helping to develop and opportunities for stakeholder engagement.
  • Fisheries management plans in Wales

    Information on FMPs in Wales, offering stakeholders the chance to engage in the process to support a profitable and sustainable fishing industry.
  • Shellfish Industry Advisory Group

    The Shellfish Industry Advisory Group (SIAG) provides a forum to discuss sustainability and management of UK shellfish fisheries.
  • Crab and Lobster Management Group

    The Crab and Lobster Management Group (CMG) is an industry-led group focused on issues specific to crab and lobster stocks and fisheries.
  • Whelk Management Group

    The Whelk Management Group (WMG) focuses on the management of the UK whelk fishery to ensure its long-term sustainability.
  • Finfish Industry Advisory Group

    The Finfish Industry Advisory Group (FIAG) provides a forum to discuss sustainability and management of UK finfish non-quota species fisheries.
  • Project UK Fisheries Improvement Projects

    A collaborative stakeholder partnership project with the MSC that aims to improve the environmental sustainability of selected UK fisheries.
  • Managing discards

    Discards are the parts of a catch returned to the sea. Discarding is the practice of returning unwanted catches to the sea, either dead or alive.
  • Landing Obligation

    How to effectively introduce the landing obligation is one of the most difficult issues facing the fishing industry under the reformed Common Fisheries Policy.
  • Onshore Implications

    There will be specific onshore impacts of the landing obligation for ports, and potentially the supply chain as a whole.
  • North Sea Waters

    The landing obligation was introduced in fisheries of interest to the UK fleet in the North Sea from 2015 onwards, and is being introduced for all fisheries covered by the Common Fisheries Policy by 2019. When the landing obligation is fully implemented from 1 January 2019, skippers will be obliged to land all commercial quota species they catch.
  • North Western Waters

    The landing obligation was introduced in fisheries of interest to the UK fleet in North Western Waters from 2015 onwards, and is being introduced for all fisheries covered by the Common Fisheries Policy by 2019. When the landing obligation is fully implemented from 1 January 2019, skippers will be obliged to land all commercial quota species they catch.
  • Discards news and reports

    This page contains various documents, notes and publications which offer news and further information on discards.
  • Economic analysis

    The reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) introduces a landing obligation to eliminate discarding. Seafish was asked to determine the potential economic implications of this discard ban on UK fleets.
  • The Common Fisheries Policy

    Of course, fish do not respect international boundaries and move freely in the oceans. This makes it difficult for individual EU countries to manage fish stocks in isolation.
  • Fishing gear technology and innovation

    We support the UK catching sector and wider supply chain stakeholders to develop innovative fishing gear through collaboration and resource sharing.
  • UK Gear Forum

    The UK Gear Forum brings together industry, researchers and governments to discuss and advance gear innovations to drive sustainability in fishing.
  • Selective gear technology for fishing

    We work with the fishing industry in the UK to develop selective gear technologies that improve net-based fishing.
  • Fishing Gear Database

    Our Fishing Gear Database provides information on how gear and selective devices work to make catching fish more efficient and reduce unwanted catch.
  • Gear

  • Bag net

    A bag net is an environmental method of targeting fish that are close inshore.
  • Beach Seine

    A net shot by hand or from a small boat in a circular shape and drawn ashore by hand from both ends, which targets fish living close to the shoreline.
  • Beam Trawl - Chain Mat Gear

    This beam trawl is similar to other beam trawls in that it is held open by a steel bar with shoes on each end.
  • Beam Trawl - Open gear

    The beam trawl - open gear is designed to stimulate the fish out of the mud and over the footrope of the trawl.
  • Beam Trawl - Shrimp beam trawl

    The shrimp beam trawl is used to target brown shrimp and is often used in shallow water.
  • Beam Trawl - Sumwing

    In this fishing method of beam trawling, the beam is replaced with 'wing' style of beam without any beam shoes at the ends.
  • Demersal Trawl - General

    A demersal trawl is a cone shaped net that is towed on the seabed to target demersal fish species.
  • Demersal Trawl - Nephrops hopper trawl

    A nephrops trawl is designed and rigged to be towed over rough seabeds to target nephrops.
  • Demersal Trawl - Nephrops trawl

    A low demersal trawl towed on the seabed, with the mouth held open by a pair of otter boards (trawl doors) designed to target nephrops.
  • Demersal Trawl - Rockhopper trawl

    The rockhopper, or hopper trawl, is a  trawl that is towed on the seabed, with the mouth held open by a pair of otter boards (trawl doors).
  • Demersal Trawl - Scraper net

    A long low, demersal trawl towed on the seabed, with the mouth held open by a pair of otter boards (trawl doors).
  • Demersal Trawl - Sole Trawl

    A trawl towed on the seabed, with the mouth held open by a pair of otter boards (trawl doors) designed and rigged to target Dover sole.
  • DRB - Scallop Dredge

    A scallop dredge is a rigid structure with a chain mail collecting bag, towed on the seabed to target king scallops.
  • Drift Nets

    This type of gill net is suspended in the water, usually just below the surface, but can be worked anywhere to target pelagic species.
  • Fyke Net

    A fyke net is a type of fish trap and are generally operated in shallow coastal waters, such as estuaries and sheltered bays.
  • Gill Nets

    A gill net is a single wall of netting anchored on the seabed to catch fish that swim into it.
  • Hand lines

    Fishing using a rod or hand held lines as a commercial venture in a similar manner to recreation angling. 
  • Jigging

    Jigging is a method of fishing. Hooks are attached to artificial lures to attract and capture fish.
  • LA Ring Net

    A LA Ring Net is a long net that is shot to surround a shoal of pelagic fish with a ‘wall’ of netting.
  • Long line

    Long lining can be used to target both pelagic and demersal fish.
  • Multi Rig - Quad rig

    A method of towing four otter trawls side by side.
  • Multi Rig Trawl - Nephrops triple rig

    In this rig three trawls are towed side by side using four trawl warps.
  • Multi Rig Trawl - Sole triple rig

    This is a fishing method used by smaller vessels to target Dover sole. It involves towing three small trawl side by side.
  • Out-rig Trawling

    Out-rig trawling is a method of multi rig trawling where two small otter trawls with nets behind, are towed from the ends of outrigger derricks.
  • Pair Seine

    In this fishing method a net similar to a demersal trawl is towed by two boats simultaneously.
  • Pair Trawl

    In this fishing method a demersal trawl is towed by two boats simultaneously, one towing each side of the trawl.
  • Pelagic Pair Trawl

    A trawl towed in mid-water between two vessels to target pelagic fish.
  • Pelagic Trawl

    In this fishing method, the trawl is towed in mid-water by a vessel and is designed to catch pelagic fish.
  • Pole and Line

    This is a basic rod and line fishery using barbless hooks and live bait.
  • Pots and Trap - Nephrops

    Nephrops creels or prawn creels as they are generally called, are of the basic D creel design but lighter than that of a lobster or crab pot.
  • Pots and Traps - Brown Crab

    Two main shapes of trap are used to target brown crabs.
  • Pots and Traps - Cuttlefish

    Cuttlefish traps are usually larger than most other traps but of lightweight construction.
  • Pots and Traps - General

    Pots and traps are generally rigid structures into which fish or shellfish are guided through funnels that make entry easy but escape difficult.
  • Pots and Traps - Lobster

    The D shaped creel with two entrances is the favoured trap by many lobster fishermen.
  • Pots and Traps - Velvet Crab

    Traps or creels, used for velvet crab are similar to those used for lobster.
  • Pots and Traps - Whelks

    Plastic drums with a netting entrance set on the seabed for targeting whelks.
  • PS - Purse Seine

    A purse seine is a large net used to surround a shoal of pelagic fish.
  • Queen Scallop Dredge

    A dredge used to target queen scallops are wider and higher than a traditional Newhaven scallop dredge.
  • SDN - Anchor Seine

    A net shot in the open sea using very long ropes to lay out the net and ropes on the seabed prior to hauling from a boat at anchor.
  • Semi-Pelagic Trawl

    A trawl towed on or very close to the seabed with the trawl doors swimming several metres off the seabed. 
  • Small Line

    A fishing method is similar to longline fishing but adapted to suit the smaller inshore vessels.
  • SSC - Scottish Seine

    In the Scottish seine the gear is shot on the seabed in a rounded triangle shape with very long weighted ropes attached to each end of the net.
  • Stake Net

    A net with a long vertical wall of netting held up by a line of strong wooden poles erected upwards from the beach.
  • Tangle Nets

    A gill net design where the netting is hung onto the ropes to create a greater amount of slack netting.
  • Trammel Nets

    Fishing nets similar to a gill net but are made up of three layers of netting.
  • Trolling

    Trolling is a method of fishing where the boat tows a line or lines with one or more hooks with a natural bait or an artificial lure.
  • Twin Rig Trawl - Mixed species twin rig

    A fishing method using two trawls side by side to target a mix of bottom living species and demersal round fish.
  • Twin Rig Trawl - Nephrops

    A method of towing two otter trawls side by side to target nephrops.
  • Twin Rig Trawl - Sole twin rig

    A fishing method used by smaller vessels to target Dover sole. It involves towing two small trawls side by side.
  • Wreck Nets

    Wreck nets are types of gill or trammel nets that have been rigged to shoot over wrecks or areas of hard ground on the seabed.
  • Types of fishing gear

    Different kinds of gear have evolved to target particular species or groups of species. We have produced guidance on commonly used fishing gear.
  • Fishing Gear Glossary

    A glossary of equipment and technology.
  • Selective device

  • 4 Panel Cod-end

    By constructing a 4 panel cod-end, it allows the cod-end to remain more open and increases the flow of water, allowing the fish more space to swim.
  • Acoustic deterrents

    An acoustic deterrent is a device that emits pulses of high frequency sound to deter cetaceans from approaching fishing gear.
  • Amity Net Grid

    The amity net grid is a selective device designed to separate nephrops from fish.
  • Benthic Panel

    A benthic panel is a small panel of square mesh or large diamond mesh inserted in the bottom panel of a trawl.
  • Benthos Release Panel

    A Benthos or Benthic release panel is a panel of larger diamond mesh or square mesh netting fitted into the lower panel of a trawl.
  • Box Trawl

    A selective box trawl is made up of 4 panels of netting with these 4 panels carried right down to a 4 panel cod-end.
  • Cefas Net Grid

    The Cefas Net Grid is a selective device designed to separate nephrops from fish.
  • Coverless Trawls

    A coverless trawl has the top panel of the net cut back so that the headline and footrope are of similar length.
  • Diamond Mesh Size

    Most fishing gear is made of netting with diamond shaped meshes, this gives the gear flexibility and a certain amount of stretch.
  • Eliminator Trawl

    The eliminator trawl is a standard demersal trawl with very large diamond meshes in the wings and forward part of the trawl.
  • Escape Gaps

    Escape gaps are usually flat pieces of rigid plastic with a rectangular hole in that is fitted into pots and traps to release small shellfish
  • F-Cap. (Faithlie Cod Avoidance Panel)

    The F-CAP was developed to release cod from a nephrops trawl.
  • Fish Stimulation

    Fish stimulation being used as a selective device is still a relatively new concept. It is being trialled using a light, sound or electric pulses.
  • Gear Operation

    This is where there is a complete change of fishing gear or the way the fishing gear is operated to change the catch composition.
  • Gear Size

    Reducing the physical size of the whole gear or just part of the gear to reduce unwanted by-catch and be able to handle the gear more efficiently.
  • Headline Height

    A trawl or static net where the gear has been redesigned to keep the headline (top of the net) low to prevent the capture of high swimming species.
  • Inclined Netting Grids

    An inclined netting grid is a panel of netting fitted inside a trawl and set at an angle.
  • Number of Dredges

    In some scallop dredge fisheries the number of dredges used is regulated to ensure fishing effort remains within manageable limits.
  • Off Bottom Trawl

    This is a trawl that, by the way it is rigged and towed, swims clear of the seabed but close enough to target some of the demersal species.
  • Ring Size

    The ring size of scallop dredges can be used as a selectivity measure to release scallops below a certain size.
  • SELTRA Box - Diamond mesh

    The SELTRA box is a four panel extension section with a top panel of either large diamond mesh or large square mesh to encourage small fish to escape.
  • SELTRA Box - Square mesh panel

    The SELTRA box is a four panel extension section with a top panel of either large diamond mesh or large square mesh to encourage small fish to escape.
  • Separator panels

    A separator panel is a horizontal panel of netting designed to divide the trawl into two sections one above the other.
  • Sep-Nep codend

    The Sep-Nep is an inclined panel of diamond netting to sieve the nephrops into the lower chamber and direct the fish into the upper chamber.
  • Sort X grid

    The Sort X grid was developed in Norway as a measure to reduce the numbers of small fish being caught when targeting cod in the Barents Sea.
  • Square Mesh Cod-ends

    This is one of the most effective escape devices available for the release of small undersized round fish.
  • Square Mesh Panels

    The square mesh panel is one of the most common used and well known selective devices.
  • T90 Cod-ends

    In this design the cod-end mesh is turned through 90 degrees into T90 configuration.
  • Towing speed

    In some situations a change in towing speed can dramatically change the composition of the catch.
  • Inclined Separator Panels

    An inclined separator panel separates the catch into the bottom living and the higher swimming species and directs them into two separate cod-ends.
  • Technical Information

  • Bridle Angle and Wing End Spread calculations

    Calculations for the bridle angle of a single trawl and wing end spread using a calculator.
  • Calculating the Spread of Trawl Doors

    Guidance for skippers on calculating the spread of trawl doors.
  • Calculating the Sweep Angle and Wing End Spread of a Single Demersal Trawl

    An easy to use calculation for wing end spread and sweep angle of a single trawl.
  • Flip Up Ropes Construction

    Guidance on the design and construction of a Flip Up Rope for fitting into a demersal otter trawl.
  • Three Warp Twin Rig - Shortening the Centre Warp

    Sheets with figures to advise skippers towing three warp twin rig trawl gear how much to shorten the centre warp by to keep the gear square.
  • Trawl Door Spread

    The distance between the trawl doors is an important piece of information for any trawler skipper to know at all times.
  • Search results

  • Aquaculture - farming seafood

    Aquaculture production is growing in the UK. We’ve collated information on responsible seafood farming and resources for aquaculture businesses.
  • Species farmed in aquaculture

    We’ve collated information on commonly farmed species of fish and shellfish and how they are classified.
  • Aquaculture profiles

    Aquaculture profiles
  • Atlantic Halibut

    The Atlantic halibut is a large flatfish that can reach a weight of over 300kg in the wild.
  • Sources, Quantities and Cultivation Methods

    Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Aquaculture Profile - Sources, quantities and cultivation methods.
  • Governance and Outlook

    Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Aquaculture Profile - Governance and outlook.
  • Farm Siting

    Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Aquaculture Profile - Farm Siting.
  • Nutrient Pollution

    Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Aquaculture Profile - Nutrient Pollution.
  • Feed

    Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Aquaculture Profile - Feed.
  • Disease, Medicines and Chemicals

    Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Aquaculture Profile - Disease, medicines and chemicals.
  • Escapes and Introductions

    Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Aquaculture Profile - Escapes and Introductions.
  • Certification

    Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Aquaculture Profile - Certification.
  • Atlantic Salmon

    Atlantic salmon is one of the world’s most iconic farmed aquatic species.
  • Sources, Quantities and Cultivation Methods

    Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Aquaculture Profile - Sources, quantities and cultivation methods.
  • Governance and Outlook

    Atlantic Salmon – (Salmon salar) Aquaculture Profile - Governance and Outlook.
  • Farm Siting

    Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Aquaculture Profile - Farm Siting.
  • Nutrient Pollution

    Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Aquaculture Profile - Nutrient Pollution.
  • Feed

    Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Aquaculture Profile - Feed.
  • Disease, Medicines and Chemicals

    Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Aquaculture Profile - Disease, medicines and chemicals.
  • Escapes and Introductions

    Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Aquaculture Profile - Escapes and Introductions.
  • Certification

    Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Aquaculture Profile - Certification.
  • White Leg Prawn

    White Leg Prawns (widely known as "vannamei") are native to the warm marine waters of the Eastern Pacific.
  • Sources, Quantities and Cultivation Methods

    White Leg Prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) Aquaculture Profile - Sources, Quantities and Cultivation Methods.
  • Governance and Outlook

    White Leg Prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) Aquaculture Profile - Governance and Outlook.
  • Farm Siting

    White Leg Prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) Aquaculture Profile - Farm Siting.
  • Nutrient Pollution

    White Leg Prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) Aquaculture Profile - Nutrient Pollution.
  • Feed

    White Leg Prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) Aquaculture Profile - Feed.
  • Disease, Medicines and Chemicals

    White Leg Prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) Aquaculture Profile - Disease, Medicines and Chemicals.
  • Escapes and Introductions

    White Leg Prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) Aquaculture Profile - Escapes and Introductions.
  • Certification

    White Leg Prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) Aquaculture Profile - Certification.
  • European Sea Bass

    The European sea bass aquaculture industry has grown strongly since the early 1990s and represents one of the most important farmed species.
  • Sources, Quantities and Cultivation Methods

    European Sea Bass (Dicentrachus labrax) Aquaculture Profile - Sources, quantities and cultivation methods.
  • Governance and Outlook

    European Sea Bass (Dicentrachus labrax) Aquaculture Profile - Governance and Outlook.
  • Farm Siting

    European Sea Bass (Dicentrachus labrax) Aquaculture Profile - Farm Siting.
  • Nutrient Pollution

    European Sea Bass (Dicentrachus labrax) Aquaculture Profile - Nutrient Pollution.
  • Feed

    European Sea Bass (Dicentrachus labrax) Aquaculture Profile - Feed.
  • Disease, Medicines and Chemicals

    European Sea Bass (Dicentrachus labrax) Aquaculture Profile - Disease, medicines and chemicals.
  • Escapes and Introductions

    European Sea Bass (Dicentrachus labrax) Aquaculture Profile - Escapes and Introductions.
  • Certification

    European Sea Bass (Dicentrachus labrax) Aquaculture Profile - Certification.
  • Gilthead Sea Bream

    The Gilthead sea bream aquaculture industry represents one of the most important farmed species in the Mediterranean.
  • Sources, Quantities and Cultivation Methods

    Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Aquaculture Profile - Sources, quantities and cultivation methods.
  • Governance and Outlook

    Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Aquaculture Profile - Governance and Outlook.
  • Farm Siting

    Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Aquaculture Profile - Farm Siting.
  • Nutrient Pollution

    Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Aquaculture Profile - Nutrient Pollution.