11/2/2011 4:30:00 PM
The Fishmongers’ Company held a major conference on 31st October on “New Challenges and Opportunities facing Marine Fisheries Science”. Over 125 delegates attended, including scientists, representatives of fishing and producer organisations, other industry representatives, NGOs and students.
The European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Maria Damanaki, launched the meeting with an update on the Commission’s proposal for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, including advance notice of the shape of the financial support instruments to be tabled at end of November. The UK Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir John Beddington, followed, placing the challenges of fisheries management in a wider perspective of global food supply issues over the coming decades. An impressive array of UK and international fishery scientists then made contributions.
A variety of views was expressed, but the discussion, both in the conference hall and in the margins, identified much common ground on routes to more sustainable marine fisheries around the UK and internationally.
The video footage from the day will be released here very shortly.
Media Coverage:
Mike Urch, SeafoodSource.com (7th Nov):
"Time to be upbeat about Fisheries"
Andrew Martin, World Fishing & Aquaculture (8th Nov) (Also due to appear as the cover story in the December/January Issue):
"Scientists need to talk more to Fishermen"
Mike Urch, SeafoodSource.com (21st Nov):
"Partnership required in Europe"
Speaker Biographies and Presentations:
The Fishmongers' Company would like to thank all our esteemed speakers for the following presentations:
Sir John Beddington - Global Challenges of the 21st Century: the role of fisheries
Dr Carl O'Brien - Why we need new thinking - the root and branch review of science
Dr Steve Mackinson - Participatory leadership in Fisheries Research: common sense for new governance
Mr Phil MacMullen - Seafish Science
Dr Beth Scott - MPAs, Marine Renewables and Spatial Fisheries Management
Professor David Sims - From 1 minute to 100 years: Changes in the behaviour, distribution and abundance of fish across local to European shelf scale
Professor Chris Frid - Fisheries Management: The Ecosystem Perspective
Professor Ray Hilborn - Rebuilding World Fisheries
Dr Menakhem Ben-Yami - Marine Fisheries Science: Old and New Challenges
Dr Ciaran Kelly - 21st Century Fisheries Assessment and Advice: taking a step back for progress
Dr Colin Bannister - Summing up
We are still analysing participant feedback – any further delegate views would be most welcome – please send to Claire.tibbott@fishhall.org.uk.