Quota Management

Quota management is important both for members’ fishing activities and ensuring long-term sustainability of stocks. The WFPO has worked with Dutch e-logbook providers E-Catch to develop new software to allow daily automatic analysis of quota uptake. This gives WFPO the ability to manage quota very quickly and precisely. Members have the option of joining a quota pool or using their own Fixed Quota Allocations.

Sustainability

Central to the WFPO is a passion for environmental sustainability and thriving fishing communities. We work on a variety of projects to ensure that we are leading the way in environmental and social sustainability. This involves reducing our carbon footprint, and working on plastic recycling, as well as minimising our impacts on the marine habitat and ensuring the sustainability of the fish stocks themselves.

The WFPO wants to demonstrate on an international stage the high quality of the product and its high level of sustainability, so it will be working with the MSC to try to get sustainability certifications for more of the species in the South West, and taking an active role in Project UK fishery improvement projects.

Representation

Now we have a new Fisheries Act, and DEFRA has said that Fishery Management Plans and co-management between the industry and government will be at the heart of the new form of management. This puts POs and fishermen’s associations in a pivotal role. The WFPO will be involved in shaping future policy for the beam trawl, whelk and scallop industries, acting as a two-way information stream between its industry members and government, ensuring that future policies are well-designed and that members are fully compliant. 

Marketing

The WFPO has a strong focus on long-term improvement in demand for members’ products. Consumers are now very conscious of whether their food is sustainable, low-carbon and made with ethical labour standards. We will be working on promoting the fishing industry as producing sustainable low-carbon protein.

It will support member companies in adding value to their businesses through collective action, and by collaborating with the supply chain. The WFPO will form close relationships with markets and buyers to provide them with data about what fish is being caught, and provide market information to the industry.