Title: Fisheries and Conservation Partnerships
Funder and duration: Blue Marine Foundation
Lead partner: University of Plymouth
Location: UK
University of Plymouth staff: Professor Martin Attrill, Dr Sian Rees, Dr Emma Sheehan, Adam Rees
Led by the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) and the University of Plymouth’s Marine Institute, this research project aims to identify the tools through which fishermen across the country secure a sustainable income and also meet national and international conservation goals.
The research is being funded thanks to a generous donation made to BLUE from Superdry co-founder, Julian Dunkerton. It will build on the existing project in Lyme Bay, on the south coast of Devon and Dorset, which for the past decade has proved it is possible to deliver conservation gains while benefitting small-scale fishermen.
BLUE and the University have worked together on that project, and it was also featured in the 25-year Environment Plan, the Government’s long-term vision for protecting the environment for future generations.
The new project will aim to use the blueprint developed at Lyme Bay to potentially support other coastal communities while addressing some of the many and complex challenges being faced by policy makers.
“This is the perfect time to be doing research of this nature, as Brexit presents us with opportunities to think again about how we fish in this country. Up until now, the story of small-scale fishermen has been one where they tend to be very conservation minded but are struggling to earn a living. However, they have never had a voice and an opportunity to be part of research into their industry, and through this project we are seeking to redress that.”
Tim Glover, UK Projects Director, BLUE
“Our work over the past decade in Lyme Bay has shown that fishermen are keen to protect the environments in which they live and work. It has provided a real blueprint for how we can have a positive impact on marine systems, helping us to identify local concerns but at the same time begin to explore a series of national problems. We know that every coastal town and village has its own unique identity and challenges, but we want to provide more opportunities to support our fishermen, providing them with the opportunities to earn a strong and sustainable livelihood.”
Martin Attrill, Professor of Marine Ecology
“Small fishermen all over the country are facing serious challenges to their livelihood. But they also appreciate the importance of conserving the environments in which they are fishing. In Lyme Bay, we have shown that we can work together to tackle these challenges and while we’re not saying all of that will work elsewhere, we hope to find solutions that will support them now and in the future.”
Dr Adam Rees, Blue Marine Foundation Research Officer
In its first year, the research will be based at sites around the UK – St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve, North Devon, Jersey and South Arran, Scotland.
The partners will work with local scientists and the fishermen themselves, to harness their experiences of the unique challenges faced in each location, while pursuing five initial research goals:
One of the co-founders of sports fashion business Superdry, Julian Dunkerton, has pledged to give more than £1m of Superdry shares to conservation charity, Blue Marine.
The University has so far conducted more than a decade of research and observation into how the natural environment recovers from the effects of commercial bottom towed fishing
