{"id":6064,"date":"2015-02-24T12:22:12","date_gmt":"2015-02-24T16:22:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/edfish\/?p=6064"},"modified":"2015-02-24T12:22:12","modified_gmt":"2015-02-24T16:22:12","slug":"french-and-uk-channel-scallop-fishermen-lowering-barriers-and-putting-dialogue-into-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/edfish\/2015\/02\/24\/french-and-uk-channel-scallop-fishermen-lowering-barriers-and-putting-dialogue-into-action\/","title":{"rendered":"French and UK Channel Scallop fishermen lowering barriers and putting dialogue into action"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Market
Market Trip, Port en Bessin. Photo: Dimitri Rogoff<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since 2012, when the increasingly hostile clash between French and UK Channel scallop fishermen made headlines; industry leaders, national administrations and a host of other stakeholders have worked to resolve the conflict and achieve positive change to protect the viability of this economically and culturally important fishery. The work of the\u00a0GAP2 Project<\/a>, an EU funded initiative, has been a vital force in the progress achieved so far\u00a0in alleviating historic tensions and moving towards a more conciliatory approach.<\/p>\n

In a previous post<\/a> outlining the successes and challenges of the first GAP2 Channel scallop workshop<\/a> in Brixham, England I spoke of the importance of bringing industry and others together to engage in participatory and collaborative dialogue on achieving greater profitability and sustainability for this valuable fishery. I also emphasised the need for a follow up workshop focused on putting dialogue into action and mapping out next steps to develop a regional management plan.<\/p>\n

Jim Portus<\/strong>, <\/strong>Chair of the South West Producer Organisation (SWFPO) shared our optimism and desire to focus on actionable results noting that, \u201cwe can build on the progress made in Brixham and can now focus on achieving a sustainable and profitable industry in the future<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The follow up workshop, which took place in Normandy, France earlier this month, achieved our shared goals. EDF once again teamed up with WWF-UK and the GAP2 Project to deliver an action-oriented event which focused discussion around the specific needs of this fishery and encouraged participants to put dialogue into action.<\/p>\n

\"Group<\/a>Over 55 participants from both sides of the Channel involving industry leaders, scientists, policy-makers, NGOs and others; applied their expertise, skill and passion to work through more concrete ideas for building a sustainable, profitable future for the Channel scallop fishery.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s clear that the conversation has moved on significantly since the Brixham event. \u00a0Participants exhibited an increased willingness to immediately engage across groups towards common goals, signalling the possibility for real change. Key themes and actions included:<\/p>\n