Esther Jacobs 🌍’s Post

Yesterday was an exhilarating day out on the water! While fishing off the coast, I had the incredible opportunity to catch and safely release a black mussel cracker (Cymatoceps nasutus). It was an absolute beauty, with its distinctive black coloration and powerful build. But beyond the thrill of the catch, there's a deeper significance to this experience. As anglers, it's crucial that we practice responsible fishing habits to ensure the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems. Safe fishing practices, such as proper handling and release techniques, play a pivotal role in preserving fish populations and their habitats. When handling a catch like the black mussel cracker, it's important to minimize stress and injury to the fish. This means using appropriate gear to avoid causing harm, such as barbless hooks or circle hooks that reduce deep hooking. Additionally, handling the fish with wet hands and keeping it in the water as much as possible helps to maintain its health and vitality. Safely releasing a fish like the black mussel cracker ensures that it can continue to thrive and contribute to its ecosystem. These fish play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine environments, and every individual counts towards the sustainability of the species. So, the next time you're out on the water, remember the importance of safe fishing practices. By handling your catches with care and releasing them responsibly, you're not only preserving the beauty of the ocean but also ensuring that future generations can enjoy the thrill of encountering magnificent creatures like the black mussel cracker. Jeff Scott The Shark Research Unit Esther Jacobs 🌍

Welcome to Saltwater Splash, where we dive into the exciting world of saltwater fishing! As we explore the latest gear, expert tips, and thrilling adventures, we also recognize the importance of this activity in our lives. For many coastal communities, fishing is not just a hobby but a way of life that provides food, income, and cultural identity. But saltwater fishing wasn't always as easy as it is now. In the past, fishermen had to rely on simple tools and techniques like handlines and nets made from natural materials. As technology advanced, so did our approach to fishing. From stronger lines and powerful reels to high-tech gadgets like fish finders, modern innovations have made fishing more efficient and sustainable. Looking ahead, we can expect even more advancements in fishing gear. Super-strong lines and nets may make catching specific types of fish easier, while robots could assist fishermen on the water. However, it's crucial to consider the impact on the environment and ensure that our tools do not harm marine life. At Saltwater Splash, we believe in responsible fishing that allows us to enjoy this activity for years to come. Join our community of anglers and let's continue to explore the ever-evolving world of saltwater fishing together! https://lnkd.in/gHD3p4Qz

This is the Willem Van Der Zwan, one of the world's largest Supertrawlers (142.5m) filmed as it passed through the Channel this week by Matt Coker. Although the Willem Van Der Zwan continued through the channel, eight other supertrawlers have been fishing in the channel over the last few days (listed below), each will take many tonnes of pelagic fish, and kill vast amounts of other marine life as #bycatch. - Maartje Theadora (141m) - Afrika (126m) - Helen Mary (117m) - Zeeland (114m) - Alida (99m) - Dirk Dirk (95m) - Prins Bernhard (88m) - Scombrus (81m) Like Matt, the local fishing community here in Sussex and further along the coast in Kent where Matt is based, also feel the impact of Supertrawlers thanks to the sheer amount of marine life they take from the ocean. The owners of these pelagic (mid-water) freezer trawlers will tell you they have to take large amounts of these fish as they are 'low value' and that they do not impact local fishers. However, that is not the case. Removing this obscene amount of wildlife from any ecosystem will have repercussions, not only on the animals they are targeting, and the many other species they kill in the process, but also on the wider food chain. Removing a vital part of the food chain impacts the entire system, ultimately impacting local fishers directly and indirectly. Andrew Gillam is from a long line of fishers and has personally fished around the Sussex coast for over 50 years. He says: "Since the so-called 'Supertrawlers' have been fishing off the Sussex coast, for the last 30 years, local fishermen have seen significant changes in pelagic catches. "We have witnessed more dead dolphins washing ashore and vast amounts of discarded fish at sea in deeper waters. "There is no visibility as to their bycatch and a lack of understanding of the level of damage that this scale of fishing is doing to the ocean as a whole." Graham Doswell, an Eastbourne fisher who has also been fishing for 50 years says; "I don't understand why these industrial ships have such free reign, with little in the way of checks and monitoring while the fishing community inshore are held to such high account on each fish. "Supertrawlers must have a huge impact on marine life by decimating fish species that form a vital part of a balanced ecosystem." For further information, please visit the Dolphins Aren’t Discard campaign page, which we launched with our Sister Charity World Cetacean Alliance to stop dolphins dying in Supertrawler nets.https://https://lnkd.in/eMyshqrp You can also join the 134,000 people who have signed our petition so far demanding greater transparency on bycatch from supertrawlers and calling on the UK government to hold supertrawlers to account by strengthening legislation: https://lnkd.in/emyKZ76C #supertrawler #supertrawlers #sussex #bycatch #dolphinsarentdiscard #dolphins

There are currently EIGHT Supertrawlers fishing in the Channel (la Manche) and there will be more to come as we reach peak supertrawler season here on the South Coast of the UK. Each of these vessels will catch many tonnes of pelagic fish and kill huge amounts of other marine life as bycatch, including dolphins. They will then take their catch back to port and go out and do it again, and again, and again. They are even allowed to fish in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) because they are pelagic or midwater trawlers and most MPAs are set up to protect the seabed. The owners of the Supertrawlers say they have to take large amounts of these fish as they are 'low value'. I think the statement of monetary value reflects the issue here. There is no consideration of the value of a balanced marine ecosystem nor the clear issue that removing this obscene amount of wildlife from any ecosystem will have repercussions. Not only on the animals they are targeting, and the many other species they kill in the process, but also on the wider food chain. Removing a vital part of the food chain impacts the entire system. Another Supertrawler myth is that they don't impact local fishers because they fish offshore. The local fishers that I speak to don't agree. In fact, I've never found a local fisher that supports this horrific form of fishing. Two Sussex fishers are quoted below, and they confirm that removing this scale of biomass from the ocean impacts them both directly and indirectly. As a reminder, supertrawlers are legal and licensed. The UK Government sells fishing rights to the Supertrawlers allowing them to fish in the UK's Exclusive Economic Zone. Therefore the UK Government has the power to stop this as do other governments. You can read more about our (Sussex Dolphin Project and World Cetacean Alliance) Supertrawler campaign #DolphinsArentDiscard here: https://lnkd.in/dm3z7B6C

✅ Line-caught fishing is important for several reasons, particularly from an environmental and sustainability perspective at Oceanic Seafoods, we prioritize and promote line-caught fishing wherever possible to reduce the potential for overfishing or other destructive practices. 🤝 Below are a few reasons why we believe in and promote line-caught fishing: 🎣 Selective Fishing: Line fishing is highly selective, targeting specific species and sizes of fish. This selectivity reduces bycatch, which is the unintentional capture of non-target species, including juvenile fish and endangered species. ♻️ Reduced Habitat Damage: Unlike some other methods, such as bottom trawling, line #fishing does not disturb the seabed or damage marine habitats. Preserving these habitats is crucial for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. 🥇 Quality of Catch: Fish caught by line are often of higher quality than those caught by more industrial methods. They are less likely to be bruised or damaged, which is beneficial for both commercial value and consumer preference. 🌏 Sustainable Populations: Line fishing can help maintain sustainable fish populations. Because it's a slower, more controlled method, it allows for more precise management of fish stocks, helping to prevent #overfishing. 👨🏫 Learn more about our approach to sustainable fishing by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/gWAudKRJ #LineCaughtSeafood #SustinableFishing

🌊 Navigating the Future of Fishing with Technology Did you know that Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) are transforming the fishing industry? This innovative, satellite-based technology isn't just tracking boats; it's shaping sustainable fishing practices globally. 🛰️ Real-Time Oversight for Sustainable Seas VMS provides real-time tracking of fishing vessels, ensuring transparency, combating illegal fishing, and protecting marine life. It's a game-changer in enforcing eco-friendly fishing and making the industry more accountable. 💡 Informed Decisions, Sustainable Actions Data from VMS guides crucial decisions, fostering responsible fishing and conservation of marine ecosystems. By leveraging insights from VMS, we can make smarter, more sustainable choices for our oceans. 🌍 Global Collaboration for a Greener Future Implementing VMS comes with challenges, but through global cooperation and shared data, we're overcoming these obstacles. Marosv's collaboration with CLS offers easy-to-use tracking software and all-in-one systems, tailored for successful VMS integration. 🔗 Join the Movement Interested in how VMS can elevate your fishing operations? Dive into our latest blog to discover more about VMS's role in sustainable fishing and how Marosv is leading the way. https://lnkd.in/e-MxWxJW 📢 Share Your Thoughts What are your views on integrating technology for sustainable fishing? Let's discuss in the comments! #MarosvMarine #Marosv #MarineIndustry