The Last Catch of the Aquila Words & Photos By Finbarr O’Reilly  – This story was produced with support from the Pulitzer Center. This article is the first in a series of insights into the state of the Irish Fishing Industry and the daily struggle to survive and remain viable in the face of adversary.   The fishing vessel Aquila at the Irish port of Union Hall before the ship’s final voyage Aboard the AQUILA, Celtic Sea —It was just after midnight as skipper David O’Neill steered the fishing vessel Aquila out of Union Hall Harbour on the southwest coast of Ireland, gu ..read more

Seafood Industry gives guarded welcome to Future Framework Policy Statement for Offshore Renewable Energy Responding to the recent publication  of an updated Future Framework Policy Statement for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE), the Seafood Industry Representatives’ Forum (SIRF) today acknowledged the consultation process undertaken by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and welcomed important changes made to the draft policy first published in January this year. These changes have partially taken account of submissions made by the sector. The Sea ..read more

Mairi Gougeon joins 53 other MSPs in promising to support sector   SCOTLAND’S Rural Affairs Secretary has signed a pledge to protect and support Scotland’s vital fishing industry and coastal communities.   The commitment was made ahead of her introductory speech at Skipper Expo – the industry’s largest gathering taking place at P&J Live in Aberdeen.   She joins more than half of all backbench MSPs, as well as Anas Sarwar, Alex Cole-Hamilton and Douglas Ross, Scottish Party Leaders of Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives respectively.   During her speech at th ..read more

With doors opening tomorrow, Thursday, set-up is now well underway for the widely anticipated Scottish Skipper Expo 2024. Over 160 exhibitors are currently adding the final touches to their stands, ready to welcome visitors tomorrow morning from 10am. The strong exhibitor presence, including over 30 new companies attending for the first time, will ensure there will be plenty to interest everyone, with virtually every equipment and support service sector of the fishing industry represented, including marine electronics, deck machinery, creels and trawl equipment, and so much more. Sponsor ..read more

Industry body urges Scottish Government to ‘rebalance the green agenda’   SCOTLAND’S foremost fishermen’s body has challenged John Swinney, expected to become Scotland’s new First Minister, to “right the wrongs” of the Bute House Agreement and commit to putting support for fishing towards the top of the agenda.   Following the launch of its inaugural Industry Trends and Attitudes Report the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is calling for a ‘rebalance in the green agenda’ after the collapse of the Bute House Agreement and the end of the power-sharing agreement between the SNP ..read more

Scottish crab and lobster management measures from May From 12th May 2024, selected interim measures will be implemented in Scotland including: Prohibition on landing of egg-bearing crab and lobster into Scotland Controls on creel fishing vessels of more than 12 meters overall with a track record of landing more than 200 tonnes of crab and / or lobster in any 12 month period since 2020 Scottish inshore fisheries are vital to our economy and rural communities, but our science shows crab and lobster stocks are under pressure from overfishing in many areas. The Scottish Government are aware tha ..read more

Global volumes of tuna sold with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)’s blue ecolabel grew by almost 10% year on year from 196,363 metric tonnes in 2022-23 to 217,300 mt in 2023-24, according to data from the MSC. Volumes sold are up almost 60% in the two years from 2020-21 when global sales were just 137,600 mt. Most tuna carrying the MSC certified label is tinned but the data also includes sales of wet tuna from the fish counter, frozen, in ready meals or pet food. Tinned tuna is a nutritious but affordable source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids and has long been a store-cupboard staple ..read more

Mara Media are delighted to announce that once again, the Show Reception will be held at the Douglas Hotel, Aberdeen on Thursday 9th May at 7:30pm. Sponsored by Sunderland Marine, Yanmar (Trevor McDonald) and Commercial Oils (Certas Energy), the event promises to be the perfect opportunity for everyone to relax and socialise after a successful first day at the show. Fresh seafood will be supplied by Messers J. Smith Fish Merchants, MFV Sunrise and GJ Jack Seafoods for the event – prepared by the excellent catering team at the Douglas Hotel. The event wi ..read more

The Marine Stewardship Council, the world leading standard setter for sustainable seafood, is pleased to announce it is sponsoring the Sustainability Award in this year’s Fishing News Awards to be held ahead of the Scottish Skipper Expo on May 8. Dr Bryce Stewart, Senior Lecturer at York University, will chair the judging panel which is also made up of Lisa Bennett, MSC UK & Ireland Senior Fisheries Outreach Manager, David Warwick, Seafish Fishing Gear Technologist and Hannah Fennell, President of Scottish Fishermen’s Association and Head of Orkney Fisheries Association. The awar ..read more

The Team at Mackinnons hosted a ‘Lunch with the Legends’ to celebrate (almost) 40 years since the release of groundbreaking “Last of the Hunters” documentary, featuring 3 legends – and top skippers- of the Scottish Fishing Industry; Andrew Bremner, Willie Tait and Terry Taylor. Industry guests were treated to a viewing of the documentary and a Q&A session with the legends. Mackinnons and guests were also privileged to have the presence of the documentary’s maker, Ted Brocklebank, and Angus MacPhail, co-founder and songwriter of the Scottish Trad band Skipinnish, whom the documentary had be ..read more