Building on a long-standing relationship with Kuwait and significant track record of delivery to clients in the Middle East, stemming back to the 1980s, the contract will see Cefas assessing environmental conditions in Kuwait's marine and coastal areas, which have been impacted by sewage and industrial discharges.

Cefas' Chief Executive, Dr Mike Waldock, said: "The contract helps to consolidate further an ongoing relationship with our esteemed clients at KEPA.

"Cefas' wide-ranging capability in assessing the effects of industry on coastal and marine waters -be they heavy industry, offshore renewable or nuclear facilities - plus our experience of deploying diagnostic and analytical procedures to make informed decisions about real problems means that we are a natural 'fit' for this project.

"We're delighted to be able to offer our expertise and facilities so that Kuwait can ameliorate the effects of local environmental pollution on its people and protect its coastal environment."

A large proportion of the Kuwait urban population is concentrated along the southern coastline of Kuwait Bay. Further, the bay and coastal areas have been historically impacted by the release of oil and industrial contamination.

Coastal and Marine Infrastructure Programme Director and Project Leader, Katherine Kennedy, said: "The primary challenge of our studies will be to define the 'footprint of impact' - the specific cause of observed biological effects and the ecological and human health significance of those effects. Understanding any seasonal variations and sediment or water transport pathways will be key.

"Fortunately, Cefas has a well-established track record in a wide range of marine and modelling disciplines, which will be required for this work.

"In addition, by working in partnership with Kuwaiti scientists we hope to add to our knowledge base. This collaboration will also strengthen KEPA's own capacity to deal with any potential future environmental issues."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Cefas is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the UK's most diverse applied marine science organisation. It provides evidence-based scientific advice, manages related data and information, and conducts world-class scientific research. It is also engaged in a range of commercial activities in the renewable energy, infrastructure and other marine sectors. For more detail about its range of activities visit www.cefas.defra.go.uk
2. During this contract Cefas scientists will work hand in hand with the Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KEPA) and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). The range of applied scientific studies covered by KISR is very similar to those offered by Cefas, making these agencies obvious collaborators.
3. Domestic sewage in Kuwait has a high organic content and is often septic because of low flows, long retention times and high ambient temperatures. A serious malfunction at Kuwait's Mishref pumping station in 2009 resulted in the discharge of approximately 70 million m3 of raw sewage to the southern marine coastal areas (to date).
4. Cefas' relationship with KISR began in 1980 when the UK scientists worked with their Kuwaiti counterparts to set up an algae culture unit. Since then, Cefas has advised on Gulf War oil-spill impacts (post 1991), fish kill incidents (1999 and 2001) and an early-warning system for algal blooms and pollution incidents (2000), amongst other projects. Cefas has also carried out work for other overseas government clients, including The Netherlands, the Dubai Port Authority, the Caspian Sea Framework Convention and the governments of Georgia, Kazakhstan and Albania.

Press contact:
Anne McClarnon - Tel: +44 (0)1502 524370/ anne.mcclarnon@cefas.co.uk

The study looked at crustaceans that feed on the surface of sediments from dredged ports and estuaries.

"The combined effect on these animals, of coping with adapting to climate change as well as increased toxin levels, could prove to be fatal," said Dave Sheahan, a senior Cefas researcher on the study.

Cefas already monitors dredged sediments from industrialised estuaries for poisonous metals. Such areas are regularly dredged to maintain harbour entrances, and the excess material is tested for toxicity.

In the laboratory, burrowing crustaceans that normally graze on the surface of sediment were placed in a tank with dredged material from one of these sites. The creatures were then exposed to current sea conditions as well as acid levels predicted for the next 50 and 100 years. The animals that survived ten days in these tanks were then tested to see if they incurred DNA damage.

The animals experienced significant DNA damage, which rose with acidification levels, suggesting that when acidification is combined with metals in sediments it can be more harmful.                          Sediment core

The study also showed, however, that as the toxicity of ingested metals rises, animals are sometimes able to adapt their behaviour to cope with such changes.

Dr Silvana Birchenough, senior benthic ecologist and co-author of the study, described how "initially you can see the distinct burrows they made, but after treatment there was less activity: some species just sat on top without moving much. This showed us how some organisms may be able to move more or less to regulate for these changes. So there could be a trade-off in behaviour."

The scientists may now find that certain species' are less tolerant, or even some genotypes within species are better able to tolerate changes. So, over time, species that cope less well may face stiffer competition from groups of animals that are more adaptable.

Cefas will continue to work in this area, focusing on commercially important crustaceans like lobsters and crabs. They will be assessed to see if those creatures are also exposed to contaminated sediments.

Birchenough continued: "There's a commercial importance on where we think the major exposure routes are. In our study we focused on two aspects: whether contaminated sediments and changes in ocean acidification will affect animals in the marine environment, and whether the tests we do will help us to make a judgement about sediments that we currently deem okay."

Currently, if toxicity in dredged sediments falls below a predetermined threshold they are considered safe to deposit in the sea. However, rising ocean acid levels may put more stress on animals, on top of the metal toxicity, meaning that current threshold values would need to be changed to make sure all marine animals, including crustaceans, are protected.

Fact file

• Laboratory tests on the amphipod, Corophium volutator, were conducted to determine whether it would respond to the combined effects of increasing CO₂ levels and metals.
• Amphipods were exposed to two test sediments - one with relatively high metals concentrations and control sediment with lower contamination - under conditions that mimic current and projected ocean acidification conditions (390-1140 atm p CO₂).
• The data demonstrated the clear potential for near-future acidification to increase the susceptibility of benthic ecosystems to contaminants.
• Paper: Roberts, D A, Birchenough, S N R, Lewis, C, Sanders, M B, Bolam, T and Sheahan, D (2013), Ocean acidification increases the toxicity of contaminated sediments. Global Change Biology, 19: 340-351.

"Operational Oceanography in the 21st Century", which focuses on coastal seas, will be held at the University of Malta, 8-12 July 2013.

The course will deal with technical and theoretical aspects related to metocean observations, including:

• operational monitoring platforms
• numerical modelling and forecasting
• data quality control and management
• data assimilation, assessments, archiving and dissemination.

The course will provide participants with an overview of coastal observatories and European operational oceanography, now and in the future. Students will be introduced to state-of-the-art methods and tools of operational oceanography across interrelated disciplines, from physics to ecology, and over wide geographic scales. They will experience how this links to data acquisition and forecasting systems, and to managing sustainable development for scientific and socio-economic purposes.

The summer course is open to young researchers and PhD students, with a scientific and/or technical background in oceanography and interested in expanding their field of interest. General knowledge of oceanography plus experience with computer programming languages will be an advantage.

Applications will be accepted from both JERICO partner and non-partner institutions, and there are a limited number of scholarships are available. Applicants who are in a position to disseminate the experience gained from the course to others will be favoured.

The deadline for course applications is 15 April 2013. Further details and application requirements can be found from the links below. Interested parties should apply directly to the main course organisers, rather than via Cefas.

• Summer school details
• Course flyer
• JERICO project: Joint European Research Infrastructure network for Coastal Observatories

The aim of the survey is to find out what anglers caught last autumn and their views on the state of fish stocks around the English coastline.

All sea anglers - beginners and experts alike - are urged to take part. Participants are automatically entered into a prize draw for fishing products provided by Daiwa, Shimano, Go Outdoors and Pure Fishing. Seventeen anglers have already won rods and reels after completing previous project surveys.

Sea Angling 2012's online surveys supplement direct interviews with thousands of anglers, carried out all round England during 2012 by the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities as part of this project.

In addition a separate online survey - developed by the social research co-operative Substance and available at www.seaangling.substance.coop/ - asks sea anglers about how much they spend on their sport and what other social benefits it brings to them. Substance collected additional economic data through direct interviews at selected localities in 2012, and is continuing to carry out a survey of sea angling charter boats in 2013.

Kieran Hyder, the Cefas scientist helping to run Sea Angling 2012, said: "This project is raising interest and awareness of the importance of sea angling as an industry in the UK. It provides a direct link between sea anglers and policy-makers, whilst generating important new information on sea angling activity and the fish stocks of importance to sea anglers.

"With responses from over 4,000 people currently being analysed from surveys so far in 2012, the results look promising and we hope that participation grows for the new online survey."

Sea Angling 2012 provides sea anglers with opportunities to help collect more evidence about fish stocks to improve scientific understanding, and helps angling bodies and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to develop policies for sustainable fishing that reflect the needs of sea anglers, the businesses they support and commercial fishermen.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Sea Angling 2012 is the largest survey of the sport in the UK and is being run throughout 2012 and 2013 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Cefas is collaborating with Substance, which is conducting the economic and social impact research; the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), which are interviewing anglers directly; and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) which is leading the charter boat surveys being implemented by Substance. For more about the aims of the Sea Angling 2012 project, visit: www.seaangling2012.org.uk.
2. Sea Angling 2012 covers activities in England, specifically. Sea anglers from other parts of the UK are welcome to participate if they have fished in England during 2012. Currently, anglers participating in the online catch survey are being invited to record their sport activities and catches during October, November and December 2012 only at www.seaangling2012.org.uk. Surveys for January-March, April-June and July-September 2012 have already been conducted.
3. All sea anglers who participate in the survey have the chance to win a share of rods, reels and tackle vouchers in quarterly prize draws. For details of the prizes and how to win them, see www.seaangling2012.org.uk.
4. Cefas is the UK's most diverse applied marine science organisation, which operates as an executive agency of Defra. It provides evidence-based scientific advice, manages related data and information and conducts world-class scientific research. It is also engaged in a range of commercial activities in the renewable energy, infrastructure and other marine sectors. For more detail about its range of activities visit www.cefas.defra.gov.uk.
5. Substance is a social research co-operative based in Manchester (www.substance.coop). It undertakes a wide range of research work on angling - including the Social and Community Benefits of Angling research for the Big Lottery Fund, which delivered the "Fishing for Answers" report in January 2012 (www.resources.anglingresearch.org.uk); and the National Angling Survey for the Angling Trust and Environment Agency.
6. The MMO is an executive non-departmental public body established in April 2010 and given powers under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Its mission is to enable the sustainable development of English seas. More information is available on their website www.marinemanagement.org.uk/.
7. The IFCAs manage districts of the English coast (to six nautical miles) and the sea fishery resources falling within them. Funded through local authorities and reporting to Defra, IFCAs replaced Sea Fisheries Committees in April 2011 with an expanded remit to "lead, champion and manage a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries, by successfully securing the right balance between social, environmental and economic benefits to ensure healthy seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable industry". Their duties and powers are set out in the Marine Coastal Access Act 2009.

Press contacts

• Kieran Hyder - Tel: +44(0)1502 524501
• Mike Armstrong - Tel: +44(0)1502 524368

The autonomous wave glider, hired from US firm Liquid Robotics, was deployed off Lowestoft on 30 January. This marks the first time such a device has been tested in the southern North Sea, where tides and currents are strong and shipping is busy.

The 2m-long wave glider is self-propelled by wave action and has the capacity to travel thousands of miles. It is steered remotely from the operations base and has a built-in automatic identification system, which means that it can send alerts with advice to actively avoid shipping.

The suite of systems onboard the device is powered by batteries recharged by solar panels.

Alongside the standard fitments - of weather station, wave height and temperature sensors - the Cefas scientists have added instruments to measure oxygen concentration and saturation, turbidity (water cloudiness), the chlorophyll fluorescence of phytoplankton and salinity. These observations are being recorded by a specially integrated Cefas data logger and data are transmitted to shore via satellite telecommunications in near "real-time".

During the Cefas trial, which runs to March, the glider will transit north to Cefas' own Dowsing SmartBuoy site, about 25 miles off the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coasts. There it will make a comparison of the sensors on the wave glider with those on the SmartBuoy. After a few days of monitoring activity, the glider will set off for another SmartBuoy site further south at West Gabbard, 30 miles from the Suffolk and Essex coasts. It will then repeat the same monitoring pattern as at the Dowsing site.

The wave glider travels at around 1.5 knots and will need to cope with strong tides so the 120-mile journey between the two SmartBuoy sites may take several days. Once its work at the Dowsing site is completed, it will turn north and transit back to Lowestoft for recovery (see map).

Wave glider's North Sea route: green line indicates initial transit to first, northern SmartBuoy site; the stars mark SmartBuoy locations; black line shows the trial route

Jo Foden, Cefas' Project Manager for these trials, said: "At present our observations at sea are made from a variety of platforms: moored instruments such as the SmartBuoys, plus our research vessel, FerryBox systems on ferries and other ships, satellite, etc. Despite this range, there are still some important gaps in data and our knowledge.

"The instruments mounted on the wave glider will enable us to plug some of those gaps. For instance, they should supply greater spatial coverage between platforms and more accurately determine the spatial representation of our SmartBuoys' data. We also anticipate that the instruments onboard will provide some valuable new information: for example, the chlorophyll fluorescence data can help to verify satellite observations, and other data will help to calibrate and validate our marine models. So, the wave glider is a flexible platform and new sensors can be added.

"Another big advantage of the wave glider," Jo continued, "is the ease of launching and recovery from a small vessel. This will mean that some costs are reduced and it provides flexibility: we can deploy it at short notice or change its track to make observations of unexpected and interesting phenomena at sea."

If the Cefas trial is successful there will be long-term benefits in using wave gliders. Not only will there be validation of a range of environmental characteristics, but there opens up the possibility of more collaborative work with neighbouring European states. Shared marine boundaries with neighbouring states have been areas of contention in the past, so a glider could be programmed to sample transboundary waters across the North Sea for bilateral research studies. This could save money and provide improved scientific understanding of the marine environment.

Fact file

• The OSPAR Strategy[1] and the EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)[2] are the key drivers of the UK's monitoring and assessment commitments. These policies require multiple environmental characteristics to be measured in near- and off-shore waters.
• Nutrient, chlorophyll and phytoplankton data are vital for calculating the MSFD's indicators of Good Environmental Status, and to establish the thresholds for the assessment of eutrophication - where too much nutrient enrichment caused by human activity can lead to undesirable disturbance to ecosystem health and water quality.
• Some of the UK's marine areas are not well covered in annual vessel surveys. For instance, while there is a SmartBuoy in the Celtic Sea, research vessel time is still required to service it and this is not sufficiently frequent to prevent data being lost due to bio-fouling on the instruments. The data transmitted back from a wave glider could be automatically checked for signs of bio-fouling and then re-called or instructed to "hold station" for cleaning if a research vessel was nearby.
• At present there is a paucity of acoustic data routinely collected at sea. Such data are needed for MSFD assessments of underwater noise. SmartBuoys are noisy because of their moorings, and seabed units are vulnerable to trawling or interference. Wave gliders, originally designed for cetacean (e.g. dolphins) monitoring, are inherently quiet. Cefas has plans to mount acoustic instruments onboard the wave glider in future.

Dr Martin Johnson has been appointed the new Cefas-University of East Anglia lecturer in Marine Sciences.

Martin will spend time at Cefas and UEA helping scientists from both institutions to work together more closely. He will also pursue new collaborative research to enhance our understanding of what indicates "healthy seas" from a biogeochemical and ecological perspective. This research will be central in providing an evidence-base to support marine policy.

At UEA Martin will be based within the School of Environmental Sciences. This department is a natural partner for Cefas, with an outstanding reputation for high-quality and influential science and a close relationship with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. The latter also has close research connections with Cefas' Marine Climate Change Centre (MC3).

Martin Johnson said: "In my exciting new role I will engage with Cefas scientists and staff and students at UEA. I hope to develop new research areas and projects, and to contribute to mentoring the scientists of the future. I'm also looking forward to spending more time at Cefas and getting to know Lowestoft better.

"UEA and Cefas' shared vision for pursuing high-quality marine environmental sciences will help to make a real difference to society, as many of the issues facing us today - climate change, sustainable fisheries and protecting our seas from degradation - have a real resonance with policy-makers and the public."

Cefas' Chief Scientist, Dr Stuart Rogers, said: "Collaborations between the School of Environmental Sciences and Cefas have given us an almost unique capability to deliver top-quality research and advice on marine systems that span the spectrum from physics and chemistry, through biology and ecology, to environmental economics and management.

"Since they signed their strategic alliance in 2008, Cefas and UEA have won and delivered collaborative projects focusing on climate change, fisheries, coastal processes, marine ecosystem services, marine policy, biogeochemistry and oceanography."

The overall aim of the Cefas-UEA strategic alliance is to produce high-quality science that will underpin policy-making, economic development and, ultimately, contribute to an improved quality of life.

Martin Johnson took up the lectureship in January 2013 and Cefas and UEA have committed to supporting the post for a minimum of five years.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the UK's most diverse applied marine science organisation. It provides evidence-based scientific advice, manages related data and information, and conducts world-class scientific research. Its remit spans the range from freshwater to the open ocean, and includes both wild and farmed fish. Cefas helps to shape policy through its internationally renowned science and collaborative relationships that span the EU, UK government, non-governmental organisations, research centres and industry. For more detail about its range of activities visit other sections on this website.
2. The University of East Anglia (UEA: www.uea.ac.uk) is ranked in the top 2 per cent of universities in the world and was ranked joint-fourth for student satisfaction in the 2012 National Student Survey. It is in the UK Top 10 for research citations and is a leading member of the Norwich Research Park - one of Europe's biggest concentrations of researchers in the fields of environment, health and plant science.
3. UEA's School of Environmental Sciences (www.uea.ac.uk/env) is one of the longest established, largest and most fully developed of its kind in Europe. In the last Research Assessment Exercise, 95 per cent of the school's activity was classified as internationally excellent or world-leading, and it was ranked third in the Guardian League Table 2013. It was ranked joint-second in the country for teaching in the 2012 National Student Survey.
4. Martin Johnson's biographical details may be found on the UEA website: www.uea.ac.uk/environmental-sciences/people/facstaff/johnsonm.  

Press contacts:
Cefas - Anne McClarnon: +44 (0) 1502 524370 / anne.mcclarnon@cefas.co.uk
UEA - Lisa Horton: +44 (0) 1603 592764 / l.horton@uea.ac.uk

EAOW is a joint venture owned 50:50 by ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall, and has been created for the development of the East Anglia Zone. It is estimated that the 7.2 GW zone has the potential to meet the equivalent electricity needs of 4.6 million homes.

The three-year project will involve the deployment, operation and servicing of directional waverider buoys and seabed "mini-landers" at a number of sites across the East Anglia Zone.

Directional waverider buoys measure wave height, period and direction, while mini-landers acquire current profile, wave, water depth and suspended sediment data.

The combined datasets will thus provide an in-depth oceanographic assessment of the development zone.

Dr Siân Limpenny, Cefas' Offshore Renewable Energy Programme Director, said: "We are pleased to continue working with EAOW to deliver their metocean needs. The science base and monitoring services that Cefas offer have the potential to reduce costs associated with developing the East Anglia Zone and add a wider understanding of the marine environment.

"The offshore renewables sector is strategically important for the development of future energy needs in the UK. The wave data we collect during this project - which will be relayed back to Cefas in near real-time - will also contribute to a national network of wave monitoring stations. This data is then publicly accessible through our WaveNet website."

EAOW Programme Director, Andy Paine, said: "We are delighted to be working with Cefas, who are a locally based East Anglian business and have an internationally recognised reputation and wide-ranging capability in the marine sector. Their multidisciplinary approach will help us refine our design process with the goal of reducing the overall costs associated with our projects."

During 2010/11 Cefas deployed a number of waverider buoys and acoustic wave and current profilers (using mini-landers) to make wave, tide and current measurements in the proposed East Anglia ONE Windfarm area.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the UK's most diverse applied marine science organisation. It provides evidence-based scientific advice, manages related data and information, and conducts world-class scientific research. It is also engaged in a range of commercial activities in the renewable energy, infrastructure and other marine sectors. For more detail about its range of activities visit www.cefas.defra.gov.uk.
2. East Anglia Offshore Wind Ltd is the joint-venture company, which is owned 50:50 between ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall AB. For more information visit www.eastangliawind.com.
3. The UK government aims to achieve 15% energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020.
4. Construction activity for the East Anglia Zone could last 10 years, with operations for each windfarm running for 20+ years. EAOW represents a significant opportunity for the East Anglian region in terms of investment, jobs and economic growth.
5. The contract covers the collection of metocean data at a number of sites across the East Anglia Zone. The development zone is approximately 6,000km² - an area that is 10% larger than Norfolk or 15 times the size of the Isle of Wight.
6. Cefas offers a "whole life-cycle" approach to the marine renewable energy sector. From design through to decommissioning, Cefas advises on the impacts of both individual devices and whole arrays, and supports operational and construction decisions through marine monitoring and reliable forecasting. For more information about Cefas' capabilities, please view our brochure or contact renewable@cefas.co.uk.
7. Cefas has extensive experience in the deployment, recovery and operation of waverider buoys and acoustic wave and current profilers. In the past 11 years, Cefas has carried out in excess of 150 waverider deployments, which typically are in place at sea for 10-13 months.
8. On behalf of Defra, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Met Office, Cefas operates the WaveNet programme. Waveriders and SmartBuoys are deployed at 21 oceans sites around the UK to give early warning of marine conditions and potential flooding risks. Near real-time marine data and continually updated maps are available on a dedicated section of Cefas' website: www.cefas.defra.gov.uk/wavenet.

Press contacts
Cefas - Anne McClarnon: +44 (0) 1502 524370 / anne.mcclarnon@cefas.co.uk
EAOW - Grant Baskerville: +44(0) 203 301 6450 / grant.baskerville@vattenfall.com

The "Scoping Industry Approaches to Fully Documented Fisheries" project planned the workshop to consider how the full documentation of catch can be delivered for a range of fisheries.

This goal is seen as key to delivering a results-based fisheries management system under a reformed EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). In addition, resolving the problems of data-poor fisheries could bring real and direct benefits to fishing businesses.

The FSP project is evaluating CCTV alongside other approaches such as self-sampling, reference fleets and other technologies to see how they might apply to different fisheries.

An important aspect of the project - and fully documented fisheries generally - is to facilitate industry-implemented ways of discard reduction. In addition, the project is using case studies to help inform the way forward. These include Irish Sea Nephrops, and the southwest gillnet and mixed trawl fisheries.

Cefas project manager Paul Dolder said: "The CFP reform proposals and general approach agreed by the Council of Ministers indicate a requirement for full documentation of fishing and processing activities. This project is assessing what data can be collected at sea or onshore, what methods are the best for different fisheries and how fully documented fisheries can support the science and evidence base."

NFFO Assistant Chief Executive Dale Rodmell said: "This project will set existing moves towards fully documented fisheries into a wider context. We aim to define how to better link managers, scientists and the fishing industry into a virtuous circle of improved evidence and reduced wastage of the resource. This, in turn, can lead to improved opportunity, profitability and sustainability."

The workshop findings will be included in a report to Defra to inform the optimal way to deliver the full documentation of catch, evidence required for management under a reformed CFP.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. The project is one of a series of research projects in the FSP, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). These projects are specifically co-commissioned by industry and Defra in order to address concerns raised by the fishing industry. Consideration is currently being given to new ideas from the fishing industry and individual fishermen for partnership projects that might be supported later in 2013. For more information about the FSP, tender opportunities and specific project reports, visit the FSP sections on this website.
2. CFP reform proposal describes a move to a land-all catch policy with a requirement for full reporting of fishing and on-board processing activities. To achieve this, it is suggested that vessels be properly equipped with the necessary technologies (e.g. electronic logbooks, vessel monitoring systems,CCTV, observers or other new technologies).
3. Pioneering projects like the catch quota scheme have demonstrated how win-win outcomes can be achieved through quota incentives. However, the use of CCTV/remote electronic monitoring is only one option out of a whole potential spectrum of methods, management approaches and technologies that might be used when collecting fisheries evidence.
4. This specific FSP project is looking at different approaches to documenting the total catch in fishing operations ("fully documented fisheries") in order to inform future policy and management. The aims are: 

• to establish what data are required to deliver fully documented fisheries
• to establish what mechanisms are available to collect the data required for full documentation
• to evaluate the relative advantages and disadvantages of different approaches and technologies
• to evaluate to what fisheries (e.g. trawling, netting, etc) different types of approaches are best suited.

Press contacts
Paul Dolder, Project Manager, Cefas: Tel. 01502 524259
Dale Rodmell, National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations: Tel. 01904 635430

The Science Review (PDF, 611KB), carried out at the behest of the Chief Scientific Adviser of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), said that Cefas presented a clear and achievable strategy for the integrated development of business, science and people.

Further, it praised the management of its international-level science, improvements in its financial position and increasing diverse customer base. The quality of scientific and technical staff at all levels of the organisation was considered "a key strength".

The report, published today, highlights that Cefas:

• provides excellent national emergency response capabilities, statutory monitoring and inspection services
• provides high-quality science and advice for Defra and its other customers
• has used self-investment very successfully to build science capability for the future.

The Review panel recognised that significant progress had been made since Cefas' last Science Review in 2005. To build on this progress the report makes 28 recommendations for both Cefas and Defra to address, which aim to foster further improvement in a variety of areas.

Mike Waldock, Cefas' Interim Chief Executive and Chief Scientist at the time of the Review, said: "We are delighted with this very positive report. It praises our work in underpinning policy development and making a significant contribution to research.

"Our science is also helping to support a thriving marine industry, which is playing a part in delivering sustainable growth for the UK.

"In addition to the positive remarks in the report, there are some areas where further improvement could be made. We will now take these forward by working closely with Defra."

The focus will be on Cefas' future strategies in developing new science areas, working agreements between Cefas and Defra, and maximising Cefas' opportunities with potential customers. In addition, the reviewers recommended the replacement of Cefas' Lowestoft laboratory building, if future budgets allow.

A response to the report - also published today - was co-authored by Cefas and Defra. The two government bodies will work together to address the recommendations.

The full report and recommendations, along with the joint response, are available from the Defra website: www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2012/12/18/pb13848-science-review-cefas/.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Cefas (the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science) is the UK's most diverse applied marine science organisation. It operates as an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Cefas provides evidence-based scientific advice, manages related data and information, conducts scientific research, and facilitates collaborative action through wide-ranging relationships. More detail about its range of activities may be found on this website.
• Defra conducts roughly five-yearly reviews of its science-based agencies and non-Departmental public bodies as parts of the Chief Science Adviser's (CSA) role in ensuring that Defra's evidence is of high quality and fit-for-purpose. The previous review of Cefas' science was in 2005.
• In early 2012, Defra's CSA commissioned an independent expert review of the relevance, quality, sustainability and impact of Cefas' science. The review was undertaken by an independent expert panel of 12 senior scientists from the UK and overseas, from academic and government backgrounds.
• Cefas' Science Review visit took place in July at its Lowestoft site and was chaired by Dr Michael Roberts (formerly Chief Executive of Central Science Laboratory - CSL is now amalgamated into the Food and Environment Research Agency). During the Review, the panel received presentations from Cefas and its key government customers, toured Cefas' facilities and met both formally and informally with Cefas staff.
• The report offers a closer look at Cefas' three core themes - Environment, Fisheries and Health and Hygiene - and provides science/evidence highlights and details key issues for each theme.

Press contact
Anne McClarnon: +44 (0) 1502 524370 / anne.mcclarnon@cefas.co.uk

The Defra-led consultation covers recommended MCZ sites suggested by a range of marine users and interested parties, working together through four regional projects.

The consultation outlines proposals for 31 sites covering around 10,900 km²  of marine habitats, an area that is roughly three times the size of Cornwall. The proposed sites provide a home to a variety of animals and plants, such as corals, jellyfish and seahorses.

Defra contracted Cefas to collect evidence to underpin the decision-making process. During a six-week period early in 2012 the Cefas team delivered 250+ sea-going days on 15 vessels at 39 MCZ sites. The team collected 700 videos, 900 samples and approximately 44,400 km of acoustic data (the equivalent of crossing the Atlantic Ocean 17 times). However, more evidence is needed.

Defra aims to designate the first set of MCZ sites in 2013. To secure the strongest basis for those decisions, however, it is important to collect the views of a range of marine users - particularly those people or organisations who were not directly involved in the regional project stage of the decision-making process.

In addition, Cefas will again be employing its research vessel, the Cefas Endeavour,  to collect further evidence. Its next MCZ cruise takes place in January 2013, and Cefas scientists will continue to write a blog during the cruise.

Further information

• The consultation will run until 31 March 2013 and can be found here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2012/12/13/marine-conservation-zones-1212/.
• The final reports from the regional MCZ projects can be viewed here: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/2080291.
• An interactive map of the recommended MCZ sites proposed by the regional projects can be seen here: http://www.mczmapping.org/

Called "FishDAC" (the Fisheries Data Archive Centre), the data available is predominantly marine but covers both migratory species and transitional waters as well. Data from England, Wales and Scotland is currently available, with data from Northern Ireland to be added in due course.

FishDAC has prioritised EU-mandated fish surveys that are part of established series. It contains data collected by UK research vessels on the most recent international bottom trawl surveys, covering significant geographical areas, species and environments.

Other data sets currently available include fish stomach record contents and nursery and spawning area data (including GIS layers).

A Cefas spokesperson said: "We're pleased to play our part in the MEDIN network, which we see as being very good for marine science and for taxpayers, as it addresses the 'collect once, use many times' approach.

"The launch of FishDAC, which includes quick links to data sets held by ICES, is just the starting point. We aim to add a lot more to the archive in time."

A Marine Scotland spokesperson said: "With Marine Scotland's increased responsibilities for marine planning and new European marine legislation to implement, providing stakeholders and interested parties with access to relevant and up-to-date information is key.

"Marine Scotland has a wealth of fisheries data and these will now be published on the Scottish Government website."

Future additions to FishDAC will include other research surveys; market sampling and observer schemes; data gleaned from physical samples such otoliths, scales and plankton; aquaculture and other related environmental data.

MEDIN provides secure, long-term management of marine data sets through a network of Data Archive Centres (DACs), which promote the sharing of, and improved access to, that data.

FishDAC joins five other MEDIN data archive centres - covering sea floor geophysics and geology, water column oceanographic data, marine species and habitats, bathymetry and marine meteorological (metocean) data: www.oceannet.org/data_submission.

For further information about FishDAC, contact Cefas or Marine Scotland, or visit the FishDAC pages on this website and Marine Scotland's website for fisheries data from England and Wales and Scotland respectively.

Scallops (Pecten maximus) are one of the most commercially valuable fisheries to England, and fishing effort for scallops has increased significantly since 2009. Understanding the implications of this effort on the productivity of the stocks is essential for effective fishery management.

Cefas has developed the "Red Bag scheme", in conjunction with Seafish, to collect relevant data to determine the stock status, growth rates and the fishing rate for seven different stock areas identified in England and Wales.

To establish whether a stock is being exploited sustainably, scientists look at the population age structure to see what proportion of individuals are surviving to maturity and the overall rate at which individuals are dying.

To obtain this information, individual scallops from the fishery need to be sampled to determine their age and relative abundance. Although estimates of mortality can be made with only one year's worth of data, these will be very approximate. The accuracy of such estimates is greatest when data are collected over a long timescale.

The Red Bag scheme is a long-term programme that aims to provide the data required for regular stock assessments. These can then be used by fisheries managers to help plan for a sustainable scallop fishery into the future. However, a wider participation is needed from the industry to make this scheme a success.

How the scheme works

This voluntary scheme relies upon direct collaboration between scientists, fishermen and processors. It has been designed to deliver robust scientific data with minimal inconvenience for the industry and reduced cost to the taxpayer.

For fishers: All scallops provided as samples will be handled by the processors as part of the normal catch so there is no extra financial cost to fishermen. The only scheme requirements are a small amount of deck time to ensure the sample (120 or more scallops over the minimum landing size) is collected in line with the instructions and that the necessary paperwork is completed fully.

For processors: The scheme relies on FLAT shells from the red bag being put back into the bag along with the paperwork. Cefas will then arrange for collection of the shells.

Sample requirements

Participating skippers will receive instructions from Cefas or the processor they land to about when a sample is required (that is which trip or month, based on where boats are fishing throughout the year). Red scallop bags and a data capture form will be provided to all voluntary participants.

Detailed instructions about how to collect a sample can be found here:

• Protocol in pictures (PDF, 982 KB)
• Map and sample form (PDF, 384 KB)

To participate in the Red Bag scheme please email redbagscheme@cefas.co.uk or call 01502 527745.

Contents

Announcements

Industry News

• SEAFISH
• SAGB
• ASSG
• Fish Health Inspectorate customer survey results

Articles

• SAGB annual conference
• 2012 annual meeting for Reference Laboratories for mollusc diseases
• Native oysters in Chichester harbour
• Seafood in Schools - encouraging a new generation of seafood eaters!
• European funding in Cornwall
• Ranching and rearing scampi
• Classification monitoring programme for England and Wales - annual review 2011-2012
• Biotoxin monitoring programmes and results for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012
• Attitudes of UK consumers to farmed seafood.

Statistics

• Shellfish landings in the UK in 2011
• UK shellfish imports and exports in 2011
• World shellfish production
• EU meeting on the economics of aquaculture

Research

Press cuttings

About

Where to get help and advice

Endocrine disrupters include a wide range of industrial chemicals, natural hormones, pesticides and pharmaceuticals (often collectively termed "emerging contaminants").

These have been shown to affect the reproductive health of fish and wildlife or to pose risks to humans through contamination of the food chain or drinking water sources.

Endocrine disrupters are a major issue in the UK and Japan, both densely populated island nations with public and scientific concern expressed about such emerging contaminants.

The purpose of the workshop - funded by the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Japanese Ministry of Environment - is to build strong collaboration and facilitate the exchange of information between the two countries.

Cefas scientists will be playing a key role during the workshop. The scientists and the subjects they will address are as follows:

• Dr Ioanna Katsiadaki (Science Leader for Cefas' Aquatic Animal Health division): the use of small fish models, such as the three-spined stickleback, to compare inter-species sensitivity of emerging contaminants likely to impact the reproductive endocrine system
• Prof Tom Hutchinson (UK Science Leader and Windsor workshop co-chair, plus Cefas Programme Director for Chemical and Nanotechnology Risk Assessment): the use of mechanistic biological information to help guide the identification of sensitive freshwater and marine species to different classes of endocrine-disrupting chemicals
• Prof Alex Scott (Cefas Emeritus Fellow): a critical review of the endocrinology of freshwater and marine molluscs, an important group of organisms now being included for reproductive and developmental effects assessment in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guideline programme
• Dr Tim Bean (Research Scientist): the use of biomarkers for endocrine disrupters in marine finfish and shellfish.

The workshop will be attended by over 50 scientists from the UK and Japan, plus representatives from other OECD countries.

The Windsor workshop programme is available to download (PDF, 56.5 KB).

Fact file

Both the UK and Japan have made significant contributions internationally towards protecting ecosystems, whilst continuing to promote free trade between the 44 countries of the OECD.

UK-Japan research co-operation on endocrine disrupters covers four key areas:

1. the fate of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and emerging contaminants in the environment and their remediation
2. advancing testing systems for application within the international OECD test guideline programme
3. promoting the use of molecular and genomic approaches to understanding the impacts of endocrine disrupters on finfish
4. understanding population impacts on fish and shellfish populations in the field and environmental risk assessment.

For more information about UK-Japan research co-operation visit http://www.uk-j.org/. 

The programme makers aimed to discover the truth behind headlines that claimed only 100 cod were left in the North Sea. What they found was in fact very different.

The BBC's Hannah Barnes indicated that the disparity between the media headlines and the true figure for cod in the North Sea was huge and that at least one media headline  "... could be a More or Less record, the most wrong number we have ever reported."

Cefas' Dr Carl O'Brien and others were interviewed for the programme. Dr O'Brien explained that cod start to mature at ages one and two and are fully mature by age six. He continued: "The bulk of the mature cod in the North Sea at the moment is constituted of fish which are actually younger than 7 years of age."

Unfortunately, despite having access to the latest ICES data, UK journalists misunderstood those figures and chose to class an adult cod as over 13.

Hannah Barnes said: "That's not really an adult cod, it's an ancient cod. Now we shouldn't be surprised that there are very few cod over 13, just as we aren't suprised that there are hardly any humans older than a hundred."

And what of the Sunday Times' claim that there are only 100 adult cod in the North Sea? Referring to the same dataset used by the paper, the actual figure is 21 million. The newspaper has since printed a correction and changed aspects of their original article online.

And as for the Daily Telegraph's claim that there are only 100 cod left in the North Sea?  A more accurate estimation, suggested the programme, is 436,900,000 cod left in the North Sea. It is this disparity that the More or Less programme claimed to be "the most wrong number we have ever reported".

The programme went on to discuss how difficult it is to measure fish stock numbers.

Dr O'Brien said: "As fisheries scientists we do not try to count every single fish in the sea, instead we collect information from three main sources: from landings at ports, from fishermen themselves, and from research vessels.

"...as a rough estimate we aim to sample a minimum of roughly 200 fish per 1,000 tonnes landed. Our methods are rigorous and robust with small errors of uncertanty."

He went on: "The latest international assessment shows there's been a gradual improvement in the status in the stock over the last few years. And the amount of mature fish is actually increased ... and does show signs of further improvement."

The briefing Cefas gave the Sunday Times journalist about the recovering North Sea cod stock and the positive news about haddock, saithe and plaice at high stock sizes and reasonable levels of exploitation (fishing) were omitted in the final article.

Cefas and other European scientific institutions work together at the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to monitor and assess the biomass (tonnage) of North Sea cod and other commercial species.

For North Sea cod, it is correct that the international fishing rate (mortality) has been high since the 1980s, and has shown a decline since 2000. The number of young cod (recruitment) has been low since 1987, and even lower since 1998, causing serious concern.

The latest ICES' assessment shows that there has been a gradual improvement in the status of the stock over the last few years. The amount of mature fish (spawning stock biomass) has increased from the historical low in 2006 and shows signs of further improvement.

This has been achieved through the collaboration of fishermen and scientists working together to gain better and more robust scientific evidence upon which to make fisheries management decisions.

The Fisheries Science Partnership and discard-reduction programmes like Project 50%, alongside catch-quota trials run in collaboration with the Marine Management Organisation, have done much to help inform the scientific evidence base and to deliver more sustainable fisheries.

Confusion was inevitable when the Sunday Times attempted to condense complex fish stock information on the back of their request for a briefing about the New Economics Foundation's latest report (see http://www.neweconomics.org/nocatchinvestment).

Editorial

Industry News

• Status of notifiable fish diseases in England and Wales - 2011
• The activities of the Fish Health Inspectorate in England and Wales 2011
• The importation of ornamental fish and shellfish from beyond the EU
• Fisheries registration - an update
• Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) customer satisfaction survey results

Statistics

• 2010 Survey of aquaculture production of finfish in the UK
• EU meeting on the economics of aquaculture
• Intra community trade in live fish into England and Wales: 2009-2011

Articles

• Defra consultation on planning for sustainable growth in the English aquaculture industry
• English aquaculture industry workshop: planning for sustainable growth and development of a strategy
• Attitudes of UK consumers to farmed seafood
• Nibble fish: a disappearing fad?
• Marbled  crayfish: illegal and a serious non-native threat

Research

Announcements

Press cuttings

About this publication

Where to get help and advice

All anglers, beginners and experts alike, are urged to go online at www.seaangling2012.org.uk to complete the new surveys that are now available. By doing so they will raise the profile of sea angling in government and give scientists more insights into the health of our fish stocks, as well as have a chance to bag some top-notch gear in prize draws.

The new online catch survey will show when and where anglers went fishing from boat or shore during April to June this year; the fish they caught; and how the fishing compared with previous years.

Anglers are also urged to complete the online economic questionnaire, which is running throughout 2012, to show how much they spend on sea angling and the other benefits they get from the sport.

Headed up by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), along with social research co-operative Substance and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the project is using a variety of online surveys and direct interviews with anglers around the coast to obtain an accurate picture of sea angling in England. Substance is also conducting five regional case studies.

Project Manager, Cefas' Mike Armstrong, said: "We are carrying out these surveys to build a clear picture of sea angling activity and its economic and social benefits. Even if you are just a beginner, or don't catch much - we want to hear from you."

"It's really positive that thousands of sea anglers have already participated in the surveys," he continues, "and we believe they are convinced the results will give sea angling a bigger voice in the development of marine policy."

Adam Brown, Director of Substance, said: "It is vital that sea angling can demonstrate what it is worth - both economically and socially. The more anglers that contribute to this study, the more powerful that message will be."

Notes to editors

1. Sea Angling 2012 is the largest survey of the sport in the UK and is being run throughout 2012 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Cefas is collaborating with Substance, which is conducting the economic and social impact research; the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities, which are interviewing anglers directly; and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) which is leading the charter boat surveys. For more about the aims of the Sea Angling 2012 project, visit www.seaangling2012.org.uk.
2. Sea Angling 2012 covers activities in England, specifically. Sea anglers from other parts of the UK are welcome to participate if they have fished in England during 2012. Currently, anglers participating in the online catch survey are being invited to record their sport activities and catches during April, May and June 2012 only. A similar survey for January - March 2012 has already been conducted, and further surveys will go online in October 2012 and January 2013 to cover the rest of the year.
3. All sea anglers who participate in the survey have the chance to win a share of rods, reels and tackle vouchers from Daiwa, Shimano, Go Outdoors and Pure Fishing in quarterly prize draws. For details of the prizes and how to win them see www.seaangling2012.org.uk.
4. Cefas is the UK's most diverse applied marine science organisation, which operates as an executive agency of Defra. It provides evidence-based scientific advice, manages related data and information, conducts world-class scientific research, and facilitates collaborative action through wide-ranging relationships. For more detail about its range of activities visit the pages of this website (www.cefas.defra.gov.uk).
5. Substance is a social research co-operative based in Manchester (www.substance.coop). It undertakes a wide range of research work on angling - including the Social and Community Benefits of Angling research for the Big Lottery Fund, which delivered the Fishing for Answers report in January 2012 (www.resources.anglingresearch.org.uk); and the National Angling Survey for the Angling Trust and Environment Agency.
6. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is an executive non-departmental public body established in April 2010 and given powers under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Its mission is to enable the sustainable development of English seas. More information is available on www.marinemanagement.org.uk/.

Press contact: Kieran Hyder (Mobile: 07768 251 471)

ENDS

The baton was officially handed over this week after Richard Judge took up the post of Chief Executive at the Insolvency Service, an agency within the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills network.

Mike Waldock has worked at Cefas since 1980 and has held a wide variety of scientific and management roles. His science background is in the study of environmental pollution and he retains an interest in this discipline. His senior management role began when he joined the Cefas Management Board as Science Director in 2000. This role was expanded over time to oversight of all aspects of science operations within Cefas. He became Cefas' Chief Scientist in July 2010.

"I am thrilled to have the chance to take on this role. Cefas is a brilliant place to work," says Dr Waldock.

Often, when there's a change of senior management a new direction is anticipated. Dr Waldock insists, however, that there will be little obvious change in the short term.

"There will be important things to tackle in the next few months, including how we work even more closely with other Defra agencies and addressing the recommendations from our recent independent Science Review.

"In addition, we will continue to build on our professionalism and best practice to realise our strategic goals and business plan."

An announcement about a permanent appointment is not expected for some months, after a process of open competition has been concluded.

In the interim period Dr Waldock will be ably supported by the rest of Cefas' Senior Management Team and the agency's non-Executive Board members.

Notes to editors

1. Cefas is the UK's most diverse applied marine science organisation, which operates as an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It provides evidence-based scientific advice, manages related data and information, conducts world-class scientific research, and facilitates collaborative action through wide-ranging relationships. More detail about its range of activities may be found on this site.
2. Cefas recently posted its Annual Report and Accounts, which is laid in the House of Commons every year. This document may be viewed or downloaded for free from this website.
3. A recent photograph of Mike Waldock has been sent out with news releases.

Press contact
Anne McClarnon: +44 (0) 1502 524370 / anne.mcclarnon@cefas.co.uk

As the official algal biotoxin monitoring testing laboratory for England, Wales and Scotland, Cefas requires access to contaminated shellfish material for method validation programmes and routine quality control. However, there is a lack of commercially available matrix reference materials.

The new Pacific oyster paralytic shellfish toxin certified reference material (PO PST CRM 1101) has been extensively tested for stability and homogeneity and is certified following ISO Guides 34 and 35. It is available in 5.7g ampoules and contains a range of important Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) toxins: STX, GTXs, Neo and C toxins, with a total toxin level of 668 μg STX di-HCl equivalents/kg.

Dr Wendy Higman, project manager, said: "This material is suitable for a range of analytical activities including liquid chromatography methods and functional assays."

Cefas scientists conducted feeding experiments using algal toxins, such as Alexandrium, and protocols were developed. These, in turn, were then used to generate PSP-contaminated samples of cockles, Pacific oysters, native oysters and king scallops. Each species contains a variety of different PSP toxin profiles.

Dr Higman said: "We continue to develop other shellfish laboratory and certified reference materials, and expect to release freeze-dried material for PST in Pacific oysters in December 2012."