Fishing Fleet, Foxes & Frost! There's an Alliteration for you...

Reading the Guardian online recently (website), I wasn't too surprised that it reported that members of the Hastings Fishing Fleet are unhappy with the Government's 'deal' with the European Union. I have written many times about the local fishing fleet since I wrote about the Greenpeace visit to Hastings nearly 6 years ago (blog), which included a meeting where Paul Joy voiced similar thoughts to those he discusses in the Guardian article. A "passionate Brexiter" and knowledgeable about the industry, he had admitted that the UK government department responsible (DEFRA and their website) was guilty of badly translating the Common Fisheries Policy quota details, disrespecting the smaller fishing boat fleets whilst favouring the larger fishing boat fleets.

But I was surprised to read that Paul's fishing boat is not going out fishing now, especially looking back to seeing the lights of 3 or 4 fishing boats out at sea this morning, when I began my daily exercise before 07.00. I have since spoken to one of the fishermen I know who told me that he had gone out this morning at about 06.00 to lay nets which they will return to tomorrow morning. He told me that there aren't many fish around at the moment, but he suggested it's likely that Paul's boat will be out again in the Spring, though there is no hint of that in the Guardian article. Anyway, you will be pleased to know that members of the local fishing fleet are still fishing in local waters. Developments will be very interesting, I believe...

Field above Fairlight Glen

Anyway, foxes! Recently, I heard a couple of foxes 'screaming' in someone's garden just around the corner from where I live in the town centre, and this morning, whilst still quite dark, I spotted what I at first thought was a dog chasing after a fox across the East Hill... But no, it was a second bigger fox, presumably a dog fox, and yes, January is the mating season for foxes, so if you've been hearing foxes screaming at one another, you know the reason why, it's January and foxes are procreating!

Why the photograph above? Well, it was too dark to photograph the foxes, and they were running too quickly for me to get out my mobile phone anyway. And Fairlight was the destination for me to turn around at for my daily exercise today, nice sky too. 😉

And frost? I have to admit I've not owned a car for many years now, mainly using public transport, or walking, to get about, although not so much public transport for the last 10 months! And frost isn't really something I take notice of, although I do remember the inconvenience of having to clear windscreens. But the first lockdown last year changed the way I look at nature, and this morning, whilst walking back along Barley Lane, I couldn't help noticing the wonderful leaf-like patterns not just on windscreens, but on car bonnets too, like in the photograph above that I took this morning. I just looked up why this happens (most references are about patterns on glass, for example this reference), which explains that it is caused by tiny imperfections in, or on, the glass.

Isn't nature wonderful, and Jack Frost an excellent artist?!? 👍

Have a good weekend, and stay safe folks! 

Greenpeace Film includes Hastings Stade

An interesting Greenpeace article about the fishing quota that I missed at the time, but still with important information that adds to my recent blog. It also includes some footage from a few years back of Hastings fishing boats and the Stade.

Well worth reading!

Fishing, Hastings and the European Union

The fishing fleet that works from the Stade in Hastings is one of the oldest fishing fleets in the country, the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe, and also famous for its unique and 'listed' tall black huts that were originally used to dry nets, and now used for storage. But what of Britain and its fishing relationship with other European countries, was being part of the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Union (EU) the first time Britain entered into agreements with other countries? 

Well, unsurprisingly, no it wasn't, indeed Britain came to an agreement called the North Sea Fisheries Convention as long ago as 1888, an agreement with Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands, that allowed each country to fish in each other's waters to within 3 miles of respective coastlines. 

However, Britain wasn't happy with this agreement many years later and withdrew in 1963, subsequently instigating the 1964 London Fisheries Convention, signed by the same countries, plus a few others, which allowed each country to fish within each other's waters between 6 and 12 miles from respective coastlines. I wrote about this convention and when Britain submitted its 2 years notice to leave in this blog from 2017.

Since then, of course, Britain joined the EEC in 1973, subsequently becoming the EU, and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which seeks to ensure environmental, economic and social sustainability that fosters a dynamic fishing industry and ensuring a fair standard of living for fishing communities (European Parliament website). It also allows each country to fish between 12 and 200 miles from each other's coasts. 

By 2009 the EU sought to reform the CFP, following a wide-ranging public debate on the way fisheries were managed. A new Common Fisheries Policy came into effect from the 1st of January 2014, and which included policies that particularly effected Hastings fishing industry (European Union website), that is, firstly, to bring in sensible steps to prevent already caught fish having to be discarded. 

Secondly, to bring in quotas to prevent over-fishing and ensure sustainability of fishing stock. This has been very contentious in Hastings, indeed, for the smaller fishing boats and local sustainability, and part of the reason why Greenpeace came to Town in 2015 (blog). It also contributed to anti-EU feeling and Ukip inspired protests like the above demonstration in 2018 (blog).

However, as explained in my Greenpeace blog, and the point was made at that meeting by Paul Joy (NUTFA) too, the job to divide quotas, indeed, to fight within Europe to exclude Under Ten Metre Fishing Boats from quotas, as they had previously been (before 2015), was the British Government and Defra's responsibility, not the EU's. Indeed, the new Common Fisheries Policy (website) states that "Small scale vessel owners would need to receive the right quota mix from national administrations."

So what did Defra do? Well, they gave only 4% of the allocated fishing quotas (blog) to the smaller, and more sustainable, fishing fleets, which make up 80% of British fishing boats... Consequently, this allowed for 96% of quotas to go to larger fishing boats/businesses, and, surprise surprise, over half of Britain's fishing quota has been sold off to foreign fishing boats, although this had been happening already (BBC), for example, 55% of the annual value of catches in 2019!

So, what will British fishing fleets, including the Hastings fishing fleet, gain in coming years? Well, the ability to fish 3 nautical miles from other country's coasts allowed between 1888 and 1963 is no more. The ability to fish 12 miles from other coastlines allowed from 1964 has disappeared already as we left the London Fisheries Convention very recently. Now we will not have agreement to fish between 12 and 200 miles from other coasts either, oops, but as I explained in my blog, neither will EU fishing boats have rights to fish in British waters. We may need to reach agreements...

Oh yes, and approximately 90% of Hastings' catch is sold to Europe...

Plus Defra will still be in control of whatever quotas British governments allocate over the years, experience reminds us that for years they've favoured the 'Big Boys' 😬

Wee Weekend & Weather Blog

I do like an alliteration! 😉

The weather has certainly already effected the weekend and things to do, for example, Live & Unlocked on Hastings Pier was postponed yesterday (facebook) thanks to the rain and strong winds (and little chance of setting up due to the weather); I don't believe there is any live music today, but it is still worth a visit these days, great views, and more businesses getting on board regularly. Tomorrow (Sunday 23rd) there will be DJs and Pier Pressure from 13.00 to 18.00 (facebook), it looks to be a wee bit windy still, with sunshine and maybe showers (Met Office), so be prepared! By the way, the Pier now opens from 08.00 to 23.00 (way to run a pier - are you watching Mr G?!?).

And why the photograph looking down on the local fishing industry quarter early doors? First of all, I was sure I'd written a blog about the history of the local fishing industry in the past, but looking back I don't seem to have, although I have written quite often about the contemporary local fishing industry, eg the blog about when Greenpeace came to town. Hmmm, must have written about it somewhere else! 

Anyway, I know it was the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe when I started writing my blogs (many thanks to Jimmy Toller - R.I.P. - for information I was given many years ago now), but, since I started writing my blogs it looks like there are about 10 fewer boats actively going out to fish from the beach (and thanks to Jack for information here too, cheers!). Which is why the photograph is published above as it was taken by me a couple of days ago when the weather meant the working boats were not launched that morning, so I counted the numbers, about 15 still working/licensed to fish.

But back to this weekend and, whatever you do, please do still be careful, and enjoy yourself! (Cue music) 👍

Fishing Industry: Things are happening!

The government is set to take Britain out of the London Fisheries Convention, agreed and signed in 1964 before we joined the EEC, by giving 2 years notice to leave the agreement tomorrow. The convention is an arrangement that allows fishing boats from other countries to fish within six and twelve nautical miles of the UK coastline and for British fishing boats to fish within six and twelve miles of  foreign countries, including Ireland, The Netherlands, France, Germany and Belgium. Consequently, withdrawing from the convention means that British fishing boats will also lose the right to fish in waters six to twelve nautical miles offshore of these other countries. 

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the move would help take back control of fishing access to UK waters, "for the first time in more than 50 years we will be able to decide who can access our waters." But Will McCallum, Greenpeace UK head of oceans, said that leaving the convention would not in itself deliver a better future for the UK fishing industry, and that for years British governments had blamed the EU for their own "failure" to support the small-scale, sustainable fishing boats, such as those of the Hastings fleet. Indeed, British governments had allowed foreign fishing boats to buy British boats' fishing allowances for themselves, which decreased the numbers of fish that British fishing boats could land under the separate EU Common Fisheries Policy. 

The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has welcomed the decision. Chief executive Barrie Deas said: "This is welcome news and an important part of establishing the UK as an independent coastal state with sovereignty over its own exclusive economic zone." He said Mr Gove needed to keep the 2015 Conservative Party manifesto commitment to "re-balance fishing quotas in favour of small-scale, specific locally based fishing communities", which they have done nothing about in the 2 years since that election. 

Things are getting very interesting, and that's without looking at the coming negotiations of the 12 to 200 miles fishing waters covered by the Common Fisheries Policy, particularly considering that Paris is less than 200 miles from Hastings and London is less than 200 miles from many other countries' borders!

More information at the ITV news website.

Hastings Fishing...

How did I miss this? Well, I did... 

I've written quite a bit previously about Greenpeace and our local fishing industry, and the campaign to support Under 10 Metre Fishing Boats. Well, I missed this development, which is quite positive to our local fishing fleet (Defra website). However, there still appears to be concerns about the cod quota and local boats, cod having been very abundant recently in local waters, yet not being dealt with by Mr Eustice's announcement...   

Contact your local MP and Defra if you, like me, are still concerned!

The time to push for a greater quota perhaps?

Perhaps now is the time to push for a greater quota from MAFF, Amber? 

Our Member of parliament for the last 5 years, Amber Rudd, was unsuccessful in persuading MAFF to increase the quota of fish that Under 10 metre boats are allowed to catch, whilst she was a mere MP and junior government minister... Now she is a fully fledged Minister, will she actually get something done? OK, it's not her Department, but surely she has a bit more sway in Government now, or will she waste another 5 years not representing her constituents in Hastings? 

Although she didn't get to the meeting at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association in March, she did send a recording of her support for the local fishermen and Greenpeace 'Coastal Champions' campaign. I'd suggest we all write to her to remind her of this pledge before she disappears for another 5 years...  

Sustainable Fishing: Greenpeace comes to town...

I was working elsewhere when the Greenpeace fishing boat 'Rising Tide' landed in Hastings, but got to the Fishermens' Beach well before the public meeting started to take a few photographs of their boat.

I also discovered that the public meeting was being held in the East Hastings Sea Angling Association bar, soon after I discovered that the upstairs area above the 'Classroom by the Coast' is a tad too small to hold such a meeting! Anyway, there was a very good turn-out, indeed, though my photographs don't do this justice because most people weren't in line with my images, as the camera lens was pointing directly at the politicians.

There were the General Election candidates from the Labour, LibDems, Greens and the Ukip parties all present, Sara Owen, Nick Perry, Jake Bowers and Andrew Michael, and, because she was tied up in Parliament, hopefully not literally or another scandal could emerge (he says with a wink in his eye), a recording of the Conservative candidate, and current incumbent, Amber Rudd. They all agreed with the Greenpeace 5 point action plan, of course, though the Ukip man hummed and haa-ed before agreeing to do so, presumably for dramatic effect, as I'm sure he must have already known what he was going to do, wasn't he? Better than getting lynched by the Hastings fishing community!  

I'd already signed their petition on-line a couple of weeks go, but I perused the other literature and badges that Greenpeace brought with them before the talking began; I also signed a 'pennant', all of which are to be given to the Fishing Minister by Greenpeace, together with the petition, after the tour is completed.

As you can see above, Paul Joy represented the local fishing industry and the New Under Ten Fishermens Association (website) as spokesperson, as one would expect, and provided much technical information, and less the warm fuzzy feelings candidates expressed, about the realities of small boat fishing and how the larger boats/fishing industry work. The problem is not to do with the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Union, so much, as in how British governments have divided up the British share between the small and larger fleets; ie nearly 80% of fishing boats, the smaller ones as in Hastings fleet, are only allowed 4% of the allocated catch!    

The joint mission of Greenpeace and the NUTFA is to get politicians to sign up as 'Coastal Champions', promoting their five point action plan, in the run up to the General Election:

• Give local, sustainable boats a fair share of quota
• Restore fish stocks by rewarding selective fishing methods
• Protect the ocean in a way that benefits local fishermen and coastal communities
• Give local, sustainable boats priority access to coastal waters 
• Make sure small scale fishermen are represented at the highest level in Europe

For more information go to Greenpeace 'Coastal Champions'. 

Assault behind the fish market last night!

At about midnight last night, a local man walking his dog was attacked and physically assaulted by 3 young men (late teens or 20s) dressed in the standard muggers' gear, 'hoodies' up over their heads; never trust someone with a hoodie up is a motto I believe in! This happened behind the fish market in the old town, and the Police suspect it was an attempt to steal from the man, but they may not have noticed the dog...    

The police are studying cctv footage, locally, and going along the seafront towards the centre of town, where the attackers ran towards. It is believed one of the assailants may have a dog bite on his leg and another may have a head or facial injury, obviously, if you have any information please contact the police. In addition, even the local fishing industry area isn't always a safe place to be, so be alert, especially when alone anywhere. 

Oh yes, walking nearby, I met a friend earlier, who informed me that a stolen motorcycle was set ablaze between 2 beach huts (damaging them also) on Monday night, near where the old lido was situated at West St Leonards, any information etc etc... Neither of these incidents are on the Sussex Police website yet, and the force is looking to make further cuts in the numbers of police officers as I have previously written, tut tut...

On that jolly note, I'm looking forward to the public meeting this evening! 

Don't forget the Greenpeace meeting this evening!

The Greenpeace public meeting, in support of local and sustainable fishing, is being held at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association, above 'Classroom on the Coast', at the Stade (opposite the RNLI lifeboat station), starting at 6pm this evening (website). 

I'm not sure if entry will be via the doors here, or from the Association doors at the end of the building right opposite the RNLI. The information isn't clear, so be prepared for either. Whatever, I'm looking forward to this evening! 

Sustainable Fishing - A Date with Greenpeace, and more Art!

Cox: The Fish Market on the Beach at Hastings

As part of their Coastal Champions Boat Tour (a small fishing boat supporting local sustainable fishing), Greenpeace are holding a public meeting in Hastings on 25th March 2015 (See Greenpeace). I shall provide more details with a reminder nearer to the date.  

The watercolour reproduced above is by David Cox, and was painted for the 1819 annual show of the Society of Painters in Watercolours, and is now in the USA; I believe at the Chazen Museum of Art in Maddison, Wisconsin. I am grateful for the image, many thanks. 

David Cox (1783-1859), came from Birmingham and mostly painted in watercolours (also see my blog of 12 January), although he did produce oil on canvas paintings of All Saints Church in 1812, when he visited Hastings with his wife. Cox was particularly taken with the scenery of Hastings during that trip, and there are two of the All Saints paintings in the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.