Tristan da Cunha Fishing News

Report from Erik Mackenzie 6th March 2017

2016-17 Fishing Season Update

There are only 8.2 tonnes left to catch of the 120 tonne Tristan fishing quota, and it is expected that this will be achieved in 4 or 5 days more fishing days. As expected for this time of year the average daily landings have dropped so it is difficult to say how many days are actually required. Compared to last year there have been six more fishing days with an average in excess of 1000 kg per day. Last year was 23 days for 65 tonnes (average 2.8 tonnes) and so far this year it is 29 days for 112 tonnes (average 3.8 tonnes).

This was largely as a result of good results from September - November which were much improved compared to the previous two years. The results are very encouraging and can hopefully be repeated or exceeded during the next season.

Production in the factory continues to operate well on those days when we have product available.

New factory Management

New manager Clinton da Bod will take over management of the Tristan Fish Factory in April when he arrives with his fiancée on the inaugural MV Geo-Searcher voyage, scheduled to depart from Cape Town on 27^th March. Erik will join MV Geo Searcher to do the fishing on the vessel at Inaccessible and Gough Islands. Geo-Searcher takes over from MV Edinburgh as Ovenstone’s principal outer-islands fishing vessel and this end of season trip will provide a trial for the vessel, which has been converted to a fishing ship. A small quantity of lobster has been left in the water at these islands by MV Edinburgh to provide a realistic trial before the newly acquired vessel returns for the ‘big season’ in August.

Erik will have a continuing role leading the fishing operation aboard MV Geo-Searcher and is also expected to spend time on shore at Tristan to complete a handover to Clinton as he settles in to the job of managing the factory.

Erik says that ‘It's going to be tough leaving after such a long time here, but I hope the new guy settles in and enjoys his time here as much as I have.’

Editor’s Note

Erik arrived on Tristan da Cunha as Factory Manager in August 2005 and has steered the industry through a 2005 pay dispute, the 2008 factory fire, building of the new factory, the 2011 Oliva disaster, Marine Stewardship Accreditation and gaining access to EU markets. He may be the longest serving expatriate to have lived and worked on the island. It is good to know that Erik’s new role will continue his long and successful association with the Ovenstone fishing operation at the Tristan da Cunha Islands