Notice to Fishermen

Garbage Management Plan 2013

An action point from the last SFF MSTPC Sub Committee Meeting was that the attached document be circulated to Association Secretaries for circulation to their members. The document is now a requirement for fishing vessels to have that are between 100 and 400 Tons. This is purely an example for members to complete specific to their boat to meet the requirement.Those members wishing to create their own are free to do so as the regulations state that the Garbage Plan does not require to be approved.

HEBRIDES MoD RANGES

NOTICE TO FISHERMEN

LIVE FIRING ACTIVITIES

1. Live firing activities will take place on Hebrides MoD Ranges during the following periods:

Date	Times	Activity	Area
6 May 13	1300-2000	Live Weapons Firing	Two circular areas, one of 33 NM miles radius, centred on: 57:14.5N 09:29.0W and another of 22NM radius centred 57:33.9 N 10:16.1W

2. It is mandatory that vessels in the vicinity of the Range keep a listening watch on VHF Channel 16.

3. Further information can be obtained by telephoning the “24 Hr Hebrides Information Helpline” on 01870 604333. The number will provide specific information about active/non-active. Alternatively you can contact the Range Controller direct on 01870 604449 during working hours or by e-mail to lmacpherson@qinetiq.com .

On behalf of Lena MacPherson, Range Controller, Tel: 01870 604449

CAPE WRATH TRAINING CENTRE

DEFENCE TRAINING ESTATE SCOTLAND

NOTICE TO FISHERMEN PART 1

1. Military Exercises will take place on Cape Wrath Range (Garvie Island (An Garbh-eilean)) during the following periods:

13-16 May 2013 – 1500-1700 hrs local daily – RANGE IS ACTIVE

There will be military activity on the Range during 29 April – 03 May and 06-10 May. This activity will not preclude public access to the Range but anyone entering the Range should be aware of it.

2. It is mandatory that vessels in the vicinity of the Range keep a listening watch on VHF Channel 16.

3. Further information can be obtained by telephoning the “Cape Wrath Information Line”

on FREEPHONE 0800 833300. The number will provide specific information about

active/non-active periods and when the Range road (U70) will be open/closed for

public access.

D HALPIN, Major (Retd), Comdt Highlands North Training Facilities, DTE (Scotland).

MCA Emergency Procedures- Consentrated Survey/ Inspection Campaign

The MCA have made it clear that they intend to step up the game when it comes to doing drills at surveys. The MCA have also stated that they appreciate the fluid nature of crewing under the share fishing employment method may lead to not all crew being present but it is anticipated that at least 75% of the crew numbers on the Fishing Vessel safety Certificate be present.

Derek Cardno – Marine Safety & Training Officer,Scottish Fishermen’s Federation

New voluntary code for prawn trawlers in Inner Moray Firth

A new voluntary code of conduct for prawn trawlers has been agreed amongst fishermen for the Inner Moray Firth so as to protect the viability of smaller vessels based in the area.The Scottish prawn fleet has been experiencing a difficult year, particularly for larger vessels that normally fish further offshore, which have been hit by a lack of prawns on their traditional North Sea grounds and as a consequence the large displacement of vessels to the West Coast has ultimately led to a significant reduction in the number of available fishing days on the west coast. Vessels had little option but to return to the North Sea grounds.Whilst these vessels have found themselves in a very difficult situation trying to maintain viability, smaller vessels prosecuting the traditional fishery in the Inner Moray Firth have also expressed concern in recent months over the need to seek some protection from any exaggerated influx of effort from the larger more nomadic fleets, whose traditional fishing grounds were delivering poor returns. Recognising the importance of finding a solution, John Cox, the chair of the Moray Firth Inshore Fisheries Group invited James Reid, Prawn Committee Chair of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association and his counterpart from the Mallaig & North West Fishermen’s Association, Mark Robertson, to meet with prawn fishers centred on the port of Burghead. That initial meeting saw general agreement that it was preferable for the industry to work together towards their own solutions rather than seek any new restrictive legislation, which could have unintended consequences for everyone concerned. With this in mind, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation readily agreed to facilitate and host whatever meetings were necessary for the fishermen to reach a mutually satisfactory solution. This led to two further meetings where active fishermen from all three groups sat round a chart discussing traditional grounds and the likelihood of access by different types of vessel. The final meeting had the benefit of advice from a senior Marine Scotland Official, and arrived at an agreement to propose an area in the most westerly part of the Moray Firth be reserved for vessels under 300HP with a further small area reserved for vessels under 400HP (shown on the attached chart). Each group went back to their own membership to ensure their agreement and this has now been achieved. John Cox paid tribute to the team who negotiated what he believes to have been a very practical way forward and “proves the efforts Scottish fishermen are taking to ensure the long term viability of the fishing industry”. Malcolm Morrison of the SFF said: “The SFF was pleased to be able to help its member associations achieve this welcome development in conjunction with the Burghead fishers.” The fishermen’s’ representatives who agreed the new code of conduct for prawn trawlers in the Inner Moray Firth, hope it will be adhered to by the three groups of fishermen involved, providing an excellent example of the fishing industry putting in place its own responsible voluntary control measures that protect both prawn stocks and fishermen’s livelihoods. Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “We want all aspects of the Scottish fleet to have the opportunity to catch their quotas and make a viable living through sustainable fishing. Our Inshore Strategy is all about seeking local solutions with local fishermen at the heart of the process. “Therefore I’m delighted that fishing interests in the Moray Firth have been able to cooperate and come to an agreement that will safeguard everyone’s interests. It’s a win-win when issues can be addressed without the need for regulatory intervention and we will do all we can to support this local agreement.” Ends

More information, contact: Keith Broomfield, Catch PR Ltd, Tel: 01259 742575, mobile: 07890 781151

MGN458

MGN458 (summary)

Accident and Reporting and Investigation summary

The new M Notices replaces MGN 289 and it seeks to transpose the requirements of the Directive 2009/18/EC into UK law. The MAIB is now required to carry out a full investigation for vessels within the scope of the EU Directive involved in a serious marine casualty. Preliminary assessments are required for such vessels involved in accidents classified as serious marine casualties.

The form on which any accident/incident needs to be completed has changed from an Accident Report Form (ARF) to an Incident Report Form (IRF)

The most important part of the new MGN is found in Annex A and Annex B. Annex A is all about reporting requirements and point 1 states in Annex A “ accidents involving or occurring on board any United Kingdom ship must be reported to the MAIB” this leaves us without any doubt in the part we play in this regulation.

But what is an accident? Well Annex B clearly describes what an accident includes and they are explained under 6 heading names.

1) Marine Casualty

2) Very Serious Casualty

3) Serious Marine Casualty

4) Marine Incident

5) A Serious Injury

6) Severe Pollution

I would encourage the reader of this note to have a look at the definitions of the above in the MGN.

Annex C and D look at the reporting procedures, schedules and contact details for the MAIB. It must also be noted that the MAIB are there to assist skippers in filling out the IRF but it is the skippers responsibility.

Finally and probably most importantly the new regulation in Annex F seeks to guide skippers with a new requirement. This annex looks at the report of Marine Incidents. These reports are probably the most important as often great lessons can be learned. A marine incident is described as an event when a major accident was avoided by either a procedure being followed or because a person did something like moving to a safer place just before a heavy weight was dropped on deck. There are many instances given in Annex F of examples and it should be read. I would like to take this opportunity to remind us all that we have a legal duty to report to the MAIB and failure to do so will mean penalties. The feeling from recent meetings is that the fishing industry isn’t very forward in reporting incidents and this will need to improve. The MGN 458 is very detailed in its definitions of what needs to be reported and how it is to be reported but if anyone requires further information please feel free to contact me.