The Council has formally adopted a set of updated fisheries measures in the NEAFC area. Photo: Fintan
The Council of the European Union has officially adopted a comprehensive set of updated fisheries measures within the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) area.
This new regulation integrates into EU law the latest management, conservation, and control measures agreed upon for the NEAFC area. Additionally, it includes specific control measures for certain pelagic species, agreed upon during recent coastal states consultations.
Consolidation and Key Updates
This newly adopted regulation consolidates all previously separate NEAFC measures into a single, cohesive regulation. Among the main updates are enhanced controls on transhipment operations at sea and new rules regarding vessel waste and the retrieval of lost fishing gear.
Technological Monitoring and Sustainability Goals
One of the significant changes introduced by the regulation is the implementation of camera and sensor technologies to monitor landing and processing facilities. This measure applies to landings of certain pelagic species exceeding 10 tonnes when more than 3,000 tonnes of those stocks are weighed in a given calendar year.
In a bid to enhance the sustainability of fisheries, the regulation has added 22 species to the list of those for which discarding or releasing catches is prohibited. This list now includes key species such as cod, common sole, and plaice.
Protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems
The regulation also focuses on the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems. It extends the ban on bottom fishing in certain areas until the end of 2027, aimed at safeguarding deep-sea corals, sponges, and other sensitive habitats.
Collaborative Measures for Pelagic Fisheries
Further, the regulation outlines control measures for four pelagic fisheries in the North-East Atlantic: mackerel, horse mackerel, blue whiting, and herring. These measures were collaboratively agreed upon by the EU, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and the UK during coastal states consultations.
Conclusion
The adoption of these updated fisheries measures marks a significant step towards ensuring the sustainable management of fish stocks and the protection of marine ecosystems in the North-East Atlantic. The Council’s regulation reflects a comprehensive approach to modern fisheries management, integrating advanced monitoring technologies and fostering international cooperation.
Source: Press Release
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. The new FV Quantus designed by Salt Ship Design will be fitted with the Brunvoll Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster. Illustration by Salt Ship Design
Brunvoll with Yet Another Fishing Vessel Contract
Brunvoll has recently signed contract with Westcon Yards for the delivery of a wide array of products to the new fishing vessel for owner M.V. Quantus Limited and Peter & J. Johnstone Limited, based in Peterhead, UK.
Included is the Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster, on its way to become an industry standard for fishing vessels. The vessel is designed by Salt Ship Design and will be delivered from the yard by the end of 2025.
The Brunvoll delivery for Quantus will consist of main propulsion and gear, the BruCon Propulsion and Thruster Control (PTC) system, an aft tunnel thruster, and a Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster in the bow.
The main features of the Combi thruster are to act as tunnel thruster in upper position, and as azimuth manoeuvring and propulsion unit when lowered. The Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster can provide value in various operations from added manoeuvring capability at port, to providing extra thrust and increased manoeuvrability in fishing operations by keeping the vessel on course in conditions which would else cause drift-off. The Combi thruster will also reduce fuel consumption by avoiding inefficient use of the rudder and main propulsion. The Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster has reportedly been used to bring the vessel and crew safely to port in cases where other vital systems have been out of operation.
Brunvoll’s Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster, becoming an industry standard for fishing vessels. Illustration by Brunvoll
Another reason for installing a Retractable Azimuth Combi Thruster is as a propulsion unit further away from the fishing gear during hauling or pumping, helps to avoid damage and disruption. Further, using the Retractable Azimuth Combi during pumping operation at stern can allow for completely stopping the main propeller and avoid trawl rotation in the flow out from the propeller, often called propeller wake.
The customers M.V. Quantus Limited and Peter & J. Johnstone Limited have also earlier installed Brunvoll thrusters for their fishing vessels. This time they are placing their trust in Brunvoll to provide an even broader range of products and systems for their new asset. The Quantus will be a pelagic trawler, built for low emissions, safe workdays, and high fish quality operating out of Peterhead (UK), which is one of Europe’s largest white-fish ports.