This section of the website aims to keep you informed with what`s new within the Responsible Fishing Scheme and what`s happening further afield in the media. To view some of the latest media stories please visit the following links
The following article in essentially catering highlights why more and more of your customers will be asking where their fish comes from and how you can do your bit.
http://www.essentiallycatering.co.uk/issue14/Source-your-seafood-responsibly/
Keep up to date with all current issues through the Marine Management Organisation - to view their site please view the following link
http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/
News Flash
The "window of opportunity" which allows first time entrants to RFS to take advantage of the European Fisheries Fund, which supports membership by offering a 50% reduction in the cost is about to close and will cease altogether at the end of March 2012. So if you have any additional vessels or know of fellow owners/skippers who are thinking of becoming members, now is the time to register and get audited as this financial opportunity may not be available again.
Change in Scheme Auditors
Perhaps the most significant change in the past six months has been the change in scheme auditors from Moody Marine to Global Trust Certification. This change has resulted in significantly cheaper membership rates being made available to applicant vessels.
The good news is that for the first time there are now differential rates available between the under and over 10m sectors enabling new entrant vessels to join for as little as £87 for new under 10m vessels and £102 for new over 10m vessels.
For a more detailed breakdown of the costs please view the link on the how to get involved page
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS FOR RFS MEMBERS - See the Benefits for Members page
World Fisheries Congress is coming to Edinburgh
This four-day Congress in 2012, which is hosted by the Fisheries Society of the British Isles, is taking place from 7-11 May 2012, and will address the important topic of "Sustainable Fisheries in a Changing World", and will examine the science that underpins sustainable fishing; adaptive management and tools to cope with changing environments; the social and economic cost of failure; and meeting increasing food and nutrition needs through cultivation.
Development of local/regional good practice guides
Seafish are currently working with several organisations and assisting them in developing good practice guides that are applicable to their respective fisheries. This enables fishers to demonstrate their adherence to best practice and offers a benchmark for customers looking to source responsibly. If you would like further information or think that your region would benefit from the development of such a guide, please feel free to contact Mick Bacon on 07976 222936 or m_bacon@seafish.co.uk who is working on these guides and can provide you with more information.
Some Ideas for Promotion of your RFS Award
The family owners of the Newlyn-based trawler Crystal Sea SS118 have launched their own website to inform trade buyers with as much information as possible before the vessel lands. The website will enable buyers anywhere in the UK or even Europe to follow the fishing of the boat and then bid on their fish over the Internet when it is sold on Plymouth market, where their fish is auctioned. Visit http://www.crystalseatrawling.co.uk/ for more information.
Chris and Steve Wightman, longliners from Suffolk, have had some great coverage in the regional and national press over the period they have held the RFS. Tom Aikens presented them with their plaque after he joined them on board their boat to find out more about how they catch their fish. Why don`t you do likewise and promote your RFS award by setting up a similar presentaion with your own vessel, crew and local celebrity/dignity.
Please let us know if you get any coverage in your local press, and we'll highlight it here and share it with the RFS community. Send your information to Jim Hyam at j_hyam@seafish.co.uk or 07876035749