Director's Blog
Tuesday 30th June 2009
Its official...today is HOT!It was measuring 23 degrees Celcius in my garden at 7.30 this morning...unbelievable! For those of you that haven't seen my office at the Marine Centre (where've you been?) the whole of the one side facing the sea is glass which is lovely but has an effect something like a greenhouse in weather like this. I'm wilting....but my tomatoes are doing great!!!
Monday 29th June 2009
When we told people we were moving to Shetland it was usually to cries of "What do you want to go there for? It's cold. grey and rains constantly!" or alternatively "Shetland? Isn't it dark for half of the year?" or even "Where exactly is that? Somewhere off the west coast of Scotland?".
The truth couldn't be more different. We moved to Shetland in November and yes it was pretty windy but also quite dry. In the 6 months we've been up here we have seen more sun than we ever did in The Peak District (where we lived for 4 years!!!). The winter days are shortish as we get about 6-7 hours of daylight BUT the quality of that daylight is fantastic. Add to that the fact that the Shetland community have evolved to deal with the winter months by having some sort of party every weekend through to April and winter just flies by!
And of course Mother Nature loves balance and so for the shorter days in the winter we are rewarded with "The Simmerdim" which basically means that for June, July and most of August we have 24 hours of daylight. We are not quite the land of the midnight sun but even at midnight the light is good enough for you to be able to sit in your garden and read a book...cool...and a bit strange...it is taking a bit of getting used to.
"So" I hear you say "you've dealt with the darkness and the sunshine and even the wind but isn't it cold?"...the answer is no! Due to the North Atlantic drift we actually get warm water being carried up around the Islands and so the temperature isn't at all bad. Granted its not subtropical but its certainly comfortable.
So hopefully I've dispelled a few of the myths surrounding these Islands...although I'm sure many people out there won't believe me.
Wednesday 24th June 2009
This morning whilst I was in Da Haaf Restaurant getting a cup of coffee I happened to look out of the window across the harbour and caught sight of a solitary fishing boat heading out. The weather was absolutely fantastic, not a cloud in a beautful blue sky, the sea was a deep, deep blue and suddenly I was reminded of a scene in the movie "A Perfect Storm"...George Clooney explaining why he chose the life of a swordfish fisherman....
"The fog's just lifting. Throw off your bow line; throw off your stern. You head out to South channel, past Rocky Neck, Ten Pound Island. Past Niles Pond where I skated as a kid. Blow your air-horn and throw a wave to the lighthouse keeper's kid on Thatcher Island. Then the birds show up: black backs, herring gulls, big dump ducks. The sun hits ya - head North. Open up to 12 - steamin' now. The guys are busy; you're in charge. Ya know what? You're a swordboat captain! Is there any thing better in the world?"
On days like today I don't think there is anywhere else I'd rather be.
Tuesday 23rd June 2009
Those of you who read my blog on a regular basis will be aware that I am a keen fan of both Trawlermen and The Deadliest Catch. Well last night I happened to catch an episode of Trawlermen (my wife was out at a gardening meeting so I had possession of the remote!) and what I saw summed up the current situation fishermen are facing around our coasts.
One particular boat was trawling for haddock and when they brought their nets up they were pretty much full of cod. Due to the current state of cod stocks the quota for cod has been substantially cut and so the crew can only land a small amount. They had already caught their cod quota and so the cod in this trawl had to be thrown back over the side...even though most of them were already dead! At one point I actually had tears in my eyes...the skipper of this boat had been found guilty of landing fish illegally the previous year and had been fined '400,000. He'd apparently landed the illegal fish as he didn't have the heart to waste the fish by discarding them. So now he and his crews livelihood depended on a successful season this year but they were having to throw back two thirds of their first trawl.
So they move to another site...trawl for haddock and..when they raise the nets they are full of cod again! The skipper was saying that the fishing industry is being told that "there are no cod" and yet he was bringing up nets full of them.
In Shetland our local fishers are stating that they are now starting to catch smaller cod in their nets which suggests that the stock is returning. They have raised this with the FRS (Fisheries Research Service) in Aberdeen but as yet no action has been taken...the response is that they are unable to act on "hear say"!!!! When will the policy makers actually start to listen to those people who know what is happening on the ground? Time is short, we need to learn from our past mistakes. Our best source of information are our fishing fleet who are out there every single day...lets start listening to them.
Monday 22nd June 2009
At the National Aquaculture Awards last week Shetland-based Blueshell Mussels Ltd scored a hat-trick, winning Best Shellfish Farm, Best Marine Aquaculture Company and the Innovation award.
Marine Harvest Scotland was also among the winners, receiving the Business Development Award as well as Ambassador of the Year for their Business Development Manager Steve Bracken.
Scottish Sea Farms' Steven Jamieson scooped the prize for Farm Manager of the Year and the company also won Best Finfish Farm.
Other awards went to Inverness and Western Isles-based Gael Force Marine for Aquaculture Supplier of the Year, Lighthouse Caledonia for Stewardship and Sainsbury's Store Ltd for Aquaculture Processor of the Year.
Alex Adrian, Offshore Operations Manager for The Crown Estate, said: 'We are delighted with the sheer diversity of businesses and activities represented at these awards. It has made the judging process extremely difficult and the winners are to be congratulated.
'I think we can applaud the fact that despite the tough economic climate the Scottish aquaculture industry continues to display the confidence and innovation which makes its products world-class.'
Minister for the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham gave the keynote speech saying 'Aquaculture is just as important to the Scottish economy as sea fisheries. The fish farming sector has a farm-gate value of around '350 million, and employs nearly 6,000 people in production and processing in Scotland. I am proud to be involved with these awards which highlight the industry's many strengths.
The United Nations suggests that aquaculture is the only way to meet surging global demand for seafood. That's why last month I was delighted to launch a new framework for Scottish aquaculture which provides a blueprint for the industry to grow sustainably and maximise its potential".
Right on Roseanna!
Wednesday 17th June 2009
Over the last few months I have been part of the judging panel for The Crown Estate National Aquaculture Awards. This has given me a great opportunity to go out and visit some of the best examples of aquaculture companies across Scotland specialising in both fin fish and shellfish. The culmination of this is the National Aquaculture Awards Ceremony which is being held in Edinburgh tomorrow evening, an event that celebrates achievement in a number of catagories but also, and probably more importantly, acts as a vehicle for sharing good practice across the sector.
Shetland is in the middle of managing its way through an outbreak of ISA which has hit in the Salmon farming sector very hard indeed. A very large proportion of Shetlands annual income comes from marine and maritime industry and many of our families depend either directly or indirectly on the sea. Recent calculations suggest that the current outbreak of ISA will cost the local economy in the region of '70 Million with very little compensation being available from the government.
With global fish stocks in the state they are in and the world population increasing at a worrying rate our future does rely quite heavily on the worldwide aquaculture industries. With this in mind, isn't it time the British Government made supporting our aquaculture industry a higher priority?
Thursday 11th June 2009
Is it just me or is anyone else out there addicted to "The Deadliest Catch"?
I just can't help it! I'm sure we all have our own favourites and mine happens to be The Time Bandit and her crew. My wife just can't understand my fascination...she sits there and says "oh look, they've caught another crab!...how exciting!"..whilst I'm on the edge of my seat.
For me I suppose its a reality check...to watch these brave fishermen battle some of the most difficult and harsh conditions on the planet is awe inspiring. The dangers they face every minute would make most people think twice about even setting foot on the boat in the first place. I also like the fact that the programme shows how the skipper and the crew have to deal with "fisheries management" issues such as real time closures of the fishery, juggling quota, fish price fluctuations.
Another great example is "Trawlermen"...much closer to home but still dealing with much the same issues.
When I find myself in the warm and safe surroundings of a meeting room discussing issues related to fishing quota, real time fishery closures, mathematical models and "maximum sustainable yield" I try hard to think about the effect my advice may have on people such as the crew of The Time Bandit, real people with real families...
Tuesday 9th June 2009
Yesterday I travelled up to Ollaberry with a fellow colleague, Gregg Arthur (on the right in the photo) to meet our prize winner Bowen Ratter (age 8) from Ollaberry School.
Bowen was presented with an Ipod Nano after he won the prize draw quiz held by the NAFC Marine Centre during the recent Science and Technology Fair. Gregg was instrumental on co-ordinating the Marine Centre's input into the Science Fair and the feedback from everyone has been fantastic.
My thanks go to Gregg and the rest of The NAFC Team for their hard work.
Thursday 4th June 2009
On Tuesday senior managers from The NAFC Marine Centre attended a full days training course on "Dignity at Work". I felt that it was important that all managers received training in this crucial area, especially as one of our organisational core values is "Valuing People".
The training covered the current legislation regarding bullying and harassment in the workplace, as well as how to deal with allegations, carrying out investigations and ensuring that we look after and protect both the physical and mental safety of our staff and students. The course was delivered by ACAS and it was very good indeed. I think everyone who attended found it beneficial.
Thursday 4th June 2009
Today the Inquiry panel into the Future of Fisheries Management (IFFM) are visiting The NAFC Marine Centre. The remit of the IFFM is to identify and develop alternative models to the Common Fisheries Policy. The panel will look at proposing recommendations that will best suit the circumstances of the Scottish fishing sector, optimise the benefits for Scottish communities and the marine environment, and meet the objectives of the Scottish Fisheries Council.
The Inquiry's conclusions, to be delivered early next year, will guide current fisheries policy in Scotland. It will inform the Scottish Government's approach to EU discussions on future fisheries arrangements replacing the existing Common Fisheries Policy in 2012, and be relevant to future fisheries policy beyond 2012. The work of the Inquiry will help frame a Scottish response to that consultation.
In March, the Inquiry into Future Fisheries Management (IFFM) invited stakeholders to provide them with their thoughts on what the goals of Scottish fisheries management policy should be. The responses are now being used to mould the next stage of the Inquiry.
The next stage is to invite various people to talk to the Inquiry panel on behalf of their organisations. This will provide the panel with further understanding of the key motivations, vision, concerns and objectives held by various organisations associated with the fishing industry regarding the best possible management policy. It is hoped that our input will also help influence the panel's views on the European Commission's recently published Green Paper on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
Watch this space!!!