🐟 Fishing series: The scandal of electric fishing - Revision history

Thesoftprotestdigest at 14:48, 9 March 2022

2022-03-09T14:48:54Z

Thesoftprotestdigest: /* Related images */

2020-07-02T12:24:08Z

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Thesoftprotestdigest: /* Related images */

2020-07-02T12:23:31Z

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Thesoftprotestdigest at 12:18, 2 July 2020

2020-07-02T12:18:48Z

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	Click [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k02OiKOi6M/ here for music video]		Click [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k02OiKOi6M/ here for music video]

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Thesoftprotestdigest at 14:25, 19 March 2020

2020-03-19T14:25:40Z

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	The electric current, which was meant to knock the fish out for a few minutes, was actually proven to make fish undergo violent convulsions, often leading fish touched by the pulse to be injured or to die.		The electric current, which was meant to knock the fish out for a few minutes, was actually proven to make fish undergo violent convulsions, often leading fish touched by the pulse to be injured or to die.

	50% to 70% of northern sea cod in the array of the electric arc are said to be left with a broken spine and internal bleeding<ref>The effect of electric pulse stimulation to juvenile cod and cod of commercial landing size. IMARES Report C141/11. Available [~~https~~://www.~~wur~~.nl/en/Publication~~-details~~.~~htm?publicationId~~=~~pub-lication-way-343137383633.55/~~ here] <br>Pulse trawl fishing: characteristics of the electrical stimulation and the effect on behavior and injuries of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). ICES Journal of Marine Science 73(6): 1557-1569.</ref>. And indeed, since electric fishing is in use in the North Sea, the area<ref>We are here talking about the area of the North Sea in which pulse fishing was authorized by the EU</ref> <u>has seen the number of sea-bed species decrease by 57%</u><ref name=study>See latest study (2019) delivered by Cefas [https://www.scribd.com/document/430606618/Cefas-Impact-Electric-Fishing / here]</ref>. Sole population has been reduced by x2.6 and thornback rays by half. This area, on the other hand, is today home to many more fragile brittle stars<ref>Close to the starfish</ref> and hermit crabs, the latter being a scavenger. “This shows that the sea floor are highly disturbed. The invasion of these species is a sign of general stress of the ecosystem, which is losing biodiversity and resilience”.<br>		50% to 70% of northern sea cod in the array of the electric arc are said to be left with a broken spine and internal bleeding<ref>The effect of electric pulse stimulation to juvenile cod and cod of commercial landing size. IMARES Report C141/11. Available [http://www.ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Expert%20Group%20Report/SSGESST/2015/WGELECTRA%202015.pdf#search=pulse%20trawl here] <br>Pulse trawl fishing: characteristics of the electrical stimulation and the effect on behavior and injuries of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). ICES Journal of Marine Science 73(6): 1557-1569.</ref>. And indeed, since electric fishing is in use in the North Sea, the area<ref>We are here talking about the area of the North Sea in which pulse fishing was authorized by the EU</ref> <u>has seen the number of sea-bed species decrease by 57%</u><ref name=study>See latest study (2019) delivered by Cefas [https://www.scribd.com/document/430606618/Cefas-Impact-Electric-Fishing / here]</ref>. Sole population has been reduced by x2.6 and thornback rays by half. This area, on the other hand, is today home to many more fragile brittle stars<ref>Close to the starfish</ref> and hermit crabs, the latter being a scavenger. “This shows that the sea floor are highly disturbed. The invasion of these species is a sign of general stress of the ecosystem, which is losing biodiversity and resilience”.<br>
	The inability of electric trawlers to fill their sole quota last year is perhaps not unrelated to this devastation…		The inability of electric trawlers to fill their sole quota last year is perhaps not unrelated to this devastation…

Thesoftprotestdigest: /* But what is “Electric fishing”? */

2020-03-12T16:32:31Z

But what is “Electric fishing”?

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	If the first image that comes to your mind is of fisherman, fishing rod in hand, electrocuting fishes, you are not too far off…		If the first image that comes to your mind is of fisherman, fishing rod in hand, electrocuting fishes, you are not too far off…

	“Electric fishing” also called “Pulse fishing” is a technic designed to catch flat fish (such as sole or plaice) and crustaceans hiding under the sand at the bottom of the sea. It consists of a giant net equipped with electrodes, dragged by a boat across the sea bed. This net creates an electric field which knocks out the fish within its reach. Under shock and unable to move, the fish then ~~float up to~~ the ~~surface of the water~~ which allows the fishermen to simply scoop them up by the ton.		“Electric fishing” also called “Pulse fishing” is a technic designed to catch flat fish (such as sole or plaice) and crustaceans hiding under the sand at the bottom of the sea. It consists of a giant net equipped with electrodes, dragged by a boat across the sea bed. This net creates an electric field which knocks out the fish within its reach. Under shock and unable to move, the fish then leap into the net, which allows the fishermen to simply scoop them up by the ton.

	<b>Click on [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7n06xlkYpw/ this video] to get a clearer idea of the system.</b><br>		<b>Click on [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7n06xlkYpw/ this video] to get a clearer idea of the system.</b><br>

Thesoftprotestdigest at 14:57, 26 February 2020

2020-02-26T14:57:04Z

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	The electric current, which was meant to knock the fish out for a few minutes, was actually proven to make fish undergo violent convulsions, often leading fish touched by the pulse to be injured or to die.		The electric current, which was meant to knock the fish out for a few minutes, was actually proven to make fish undergo violent convulsions, often leading fish touched by the pulse to be injured or to die.

	50% to 70% of northern sea cod in the array of the electric arc are said to be left with a broken spine and internal bleeding<ref>The effect of electric pulse stimulation to juvenile cod and cod of commercial landing size. IMARES Report C141/11. Available [https://www.wur.nl/en/Publication-details.htm?publicationId=pub-lication-way-343137383633.55/ here] <br>Pulse trawl fishing: characteristics of the electrical stimulation and the effect on ~~behaviour~~ and injuries of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). ICES Journal of Marine Science 73(6): 1557-1569.</ref>. And indeed, since electric fishing is in use in the North Sea, the area<ref>We are here talking about the area of the North Sea in which pulse fishing was authorized by the EU</ref> <u>has seen the number of sea-bed species decrease by 57%</u><ref name=study>See latest study (2019) delivered by Cefas [https://www.scribd.com/document/430606618/Cefas-Impact-Electric-~~Fishing~~ / here]</ref>. Sole population has been reduced by x2.6 and thornback rays by half. This area, on the other hand, is today home to many more fragile brittle stars<ref>Close to the starfish</ref> and hermit crabs, the latter being a scavenger. “This shows that the sea floor are highly disturbed. The invasion of these species is a sign of general stress of the ecosystem, which is losing biodiversity and resilience”.<br>		50% to 70% of northern sea cod in the array of the electric arc are said to be left with a broken spine and internal bleeding<ref>The effect of electric pulse stimulation to juvenile cod and cod of commercial landing size. IMARES Report C141/11. Available [https://www.wur.nl/en/Publication-details.htm?publicationId=pub-lication-way-343137383633.55/ here] <br>Pulse trawl fishing: characteristics of the electrical stimulation and the effect on behavior and injuries of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). ICES Journal of Marine Science 73(6): 1557-1569.</ref>. And indeed, since electric fishing is in use in the North Sea, the area<ref>We are here talking about the area of the North Sea in which pulse fishing was authorized by the EU</ref> <u>has seen the number of sea-bed species decrease by 57%</u><ref name=study>See latest study (2019) delivered by Cefas [https://www.scribd.com/document/430606618/Cefas-Impact-Electric-Fishing / here]</ref>. Sole population has been reduced by x2.6 and thornback rays by half. This area, on the other hand, is today home to many more fragile brittle stars<ref>Close to the starfish</ref> and hermit crabs, the latter being a scavenger. “This shows that the sea floor are highly disturbed. The invasion of these species is a sign of general stress of the ecosystem, which is losing biodiversity and resilience”.<br>
	The inability of electric trawlers to fill their sole quota last year is perhaps not unrelated to this devastation…		The inability of electric trawlers to fill their sole quota last year is perhaps not unrelated to this devastation…

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	Adriaan Rijnsdorp, organic fisherman and researcher from the ~~influencial~~ Wageningen University (the one ~~officialy~~ conducting the research on the electric pulse fishing boats), also stated<ref>BioNieuws, edition of January 27 2018</ref> in 2018:		Adriaan Rijnsdorp, organic fisherman and researcher from the influential Wageningen University (the one officially conducting the research on the electric pulse fishing boats), also stated<ref>BioNieuws, edition of January 27 2018</ref> in 2018:

	“<i>The Netherlands have gone beyond the legal framework in recent years by expanding the number of temporary permits. It seemed experimental, but researchers have never written a proposal for a research program that required 84 vessels […] Fishing with electric 'pulse' trawlers is just more profitable</i>”.		“<i>The Netherlands have gone beyond the legal framework in recent years by expanding the number of temporary permits. It seemed experimental, but researchers have never written a proposal for a research program that required 84 vessels […] Fishing with electric 'pulse' trawlers is just more profitable</i>”.

Thesoftprotestdigest: /* The ban of electric pulse fishing */

2020-02-26T14:08:32Z

The ban of electric pulse fishing

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	On January 16th, the European Parliament voted 402 to 232 for the <u>total and final ban of electric fishing in Europe</u>, to come into application on July 2021.		On January 16th, the European Parliament voted 402 to 232 for the <u>total and final ban of electric fishing in Europe</u>, to come into application on July 2021.

	After a rollercoaster of news (from the creation of dutch task force to lobby in the EU parliament against the application of the ban, multiple arrestations of dutch electric vessels full of illegally fished sole, destabilization campaigns against multiple NGOs by dutch newspapers and the call from dutch prime minister Mark Rutte ~~fro~~ France and Germany to rally the Netherlands in its scientific research), the transition period prior to the complete ban started in August 2019.		After a rollercoaster of news (from the creation of dutch task force to lobby in the EU parliament against the application of the ban, multiple arrestations of dutch electric vessels full of illegally fished sole, destabilization campaigns against multiple NGOs by dutch newspapers and the call from dutch prime minister Mark Rutte from France and Germany to rally the Netherlands in its scientific research), the transition period prior to the complete ban started in August 2019.

	==== <u>Since the ban (2019 to present)</u> ====		==== <u>Since the ban (2019 to present)</u> ====

Thesoftprotestdigest: /* Acknowledgment of the Wageningen University */

2020-02-26T14:05:39Z

Acknowledgment of the Wageningen University

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	==== <u>Acknowledgment of the Wageningen University</u> ====		==== <u>Acknowledgment of the Wageningen University</u> ====

	A scientific report on the impact of pulse fishing<ref>Click [https://edepot.wur.nl/369915/ here] to read full report</ref> was published in 2015 by a group of Dutch, Belgian and German scientists. All dutch scientists participating in the report are members of the IMARES, the marine research organ of the Wageningen University, officially in charge of the so-called “research” pursued by the dutch fleet . In this report, the dutch acknowledge for the first time that their is inconclusive and that the permits delivered by the EU are, in fact, used by the Netherlands for commercial purposes.		A scientific report on the impact of pulse fishing<ref>Click [https://edepot.wur.nl/369915/ here] to read full report</ref> was published in 2015 by a group of Dutch, Belgian and German scientists. All dutch scientists participating in the report are members of the IMARES, the marine research organ of the Wageningen University, officially in charge of the so-called “research” pursued by the dutch fleet. In this report, the dutch acknowledge for the first time that their report is inconclusive and that the permits delivered by the EU are, in fact, used by the Netherlands for commercial purposes.

	“<i>The issuing of 84 licences to carry out further scientific data collection is not in the spirit of the previous advice and that such a level of expansion is not justified from a scientific perspective. This level of scientific derogations amounts to around 35% of the entire Dutch beam trawl fleet greater than 18m in overall length (based on STECF data), which potentially could use the pulse trawl to target flatfish. This is well in excess of the 5% limit included in the current legislation. At this level this is essentially permitting a commercial fishery under the guise of scientific research.</i>”		“<i>The issuing of 84 licences to carry out further scientific data collection is not in the spirit of the previous advice and that such a level of expansion is not justified from a scientific perspective. This level of scientific derogations amounts to around 35% of the entire Dutch beam trawl fleet greater than 18m in overall length (based on STECF data), which potentially could use the pulse trawl to target flatfish. This is well in excess of the 5% limit included in the current legislation. At this level this is essentially permitting a commercial fishery under the guise of scientific research.</i>”

Thesoftprotestdigest at 14:00, 26 February 2020

2020-02-26T14:00:52Z

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	In fact, the green country, famous for its windmills and its peaceful pairies, may appear has one of the most advanced actors of the fight against climate change, whereas in reality the Netherlands is home to multiple institutions<ref>We can here reference the powerful Wageningen University which slogan says it all: “<i>To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.</i> </ref> and lobbies<ref>We can here mention “VisNed”</ref> which do not shy away from breaking the law to reach maximum productivity.		In fact, the green country, famous for its windmills and its peaceful pairies, may appear has one of the most advanced actors of the fight against climate change, whereas in reality the Netherlands is home to multiple institutions<ref>We can here reference the powerful Wageningen University which slogan says it all: “<i>To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.</i> </ref> and lobbies<ref>We can here mention “VisNed”</ref> which do not shy away from breaking the law to reach maximum productivity.

	To that end, the scandal of “Electric fishing” has allowed NGOs<ref>In particular, french NGO [https://www.bloomassociation.org/nos-actions/nos-themes/peche-electrique/ Bloom], which played a major part in the affair.</ref> and the international community to shine a light on the Netherlands’ shameless violations of European Union laws, its extensive lobbying on the EU Commission and its total indifference towards the state of the marine life in general.		To that end, the scandal of “Electric fishing” has allowed NGOs<ref>In particular, french NGO [https://www.bloomassociation.org/nos-actions/nos-themes/peche-electrique/ Bloom], which played a major part in the affair.</ref> and the international community to shine a light on the Netherlands’ shameless violations of European Union laws, its extensive lobbying on the European Commission and its total indifference towards the state of the marine life in general.

	== But what is “Electric fishing”? ==		== But what is “Electric fishing”? ==

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	Click [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k02OiKOi6M/ here for music video]		Click [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k02OiKOi6M/ here for music video]

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	== Notes ==		== Notes ==

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	__NOTOC__		__NOTOC__
	[[File:A flat sole.~~png~~\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|According to latest study (2019)<ref name=study />, population of sole has decreased by 57%<br>in the areas where electric pulse fishing was authorized]]		[[File:A flat sole.jpg\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|According to latest study (2019)<ref name=study />, population of sole has decreased by 57%<br>in the areas where electric pulse fishing was authorized]]
	You may have heard the term “electric fishing” before. If you have, it is most likely due to the fact that “electric fishing” has turned out to be an ongoing scandal-story followed by the press and NGOs since the end of the millennia. And the main actor of this scandal is: <u>The Netherlands</u>.		You may have heard the term “electric fishing” before. If you have, it is most likely due to the fact that “electric fishing” has turned out to be an ongoing scandal-story followed by the press and NGOs since the end of the millennia. And the main actor of this scandal is: <u>The Netherlands</u>.

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	== But what is “Electric fishing”? ==		== But what is “Electric fishing”? ==
	[[File:Electric trawl.~~png~~\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|A pulse fishing trawl]]		[[File:Electric trawl.jpg\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|A pulse fishing trawl]]
	If the first image that comes to your mind is of fisherman, fishing rod in hand, electrocuting fishes, you are not too far off…		If the first image that comes to your mind is of fisherman, fishing rod in hand, electrocuting fishes, you are not too far off…

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	==== <u>The argument of Fuel</u> ====		==== <u>The argument of Fuel</u> ====
	[[File:Visned.~~png~~\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|Illustration produced by VisNed, one of the most powerful dutch fishing lobby]]		[[File:Visned.jpg\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|Illustration produced by VisNed, one of the most powerful dutch fishing lobby]]
	Before the invention of pulse fishing or “pulse trawling”, fishing boats would only rely on “beam trawling”, which consists of dragging heavy chains along the sea bed to dislodge mollusks and flat fishes hiding under the sand at the bottom of the sea. This method, which has a devastative impact on the sea beds and unintentionally allows the catch of unwanted species, is also very costly. Indeed, trawling calls on large amounts of diesel to allow the dragging of the chain and net.		Before the invention of pulse fishing or “pulse trawling”, fishing boats would only rely on “beam trawling”, which consists of dragging heavy chains along the sea bed to dislodge mollusks and flat fishes hiding under the sand at the bottom of the sea. This method, which has a devastative impact on the sea beds and unintentionally allows the catch of unwanted species, is also very costly. Indeed, trawling calls on large amounts of diesel to allow the dragging of the chain and net.

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	==== <u>The effect on marine life</u> ====		==== <u>The effect on marine life</u> ====
	[[File:Bycatch.~~png~~\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|The bi-catch of an electric trawler.]]		[[File:Bycatch.jpg\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|The bi-catch of an electric trawler.]]
	[[File:Broken spine.~~png~~\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|Scan of a fish’s spine broken by the shock of the pulse]]		[[File:Broken spine.jpg\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|Scan of a fish’s spine broken by the shock of the pulse]]
	The electric current, which was meant to knock the fish out for a few minutes, was actually proven to make fish undergo violent convulsions, often leading fish touched by the pulse to be injured or to die.		The electric current, which was meant to knock the fish out for a few minutes, was actually proven to make fish undergo violent convulsions, often leading fish touched by the pulse to be injured or to die.

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	== The dutch Scandal ==		== The dutch Scandal ==
	[[File:Pulse fishing exemptions map.~~png~~\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|A map showing the area for which exemptions were granted]]		[[File:Pulse fishing exemptions map.jpg\|thumb\|Thumbnailed image\|A map showing the area for which exemptions were granted]]

	<small>Note: (The Soft Protest Digest wants to thank French association [https://www.bloomassociation.org/ Bloom] for its help on piecing the whole affair together).</small>		<small>Note: (The Soft Protest Digest wants to thank French association [https://www.bloomassociation.org/ Bloom] for its help on piecing the whole affair together).</small>
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	File:First-prohibition-1998-EU.jpg\|1998 EU ban		File:First-prohibition-1998-EU.jpg\|1998 EU ban
	File:Journal-Commission-Europe-authorizing-permits-for-electric-pulse-fishing.~~png~~\|2006 Ratified law based on omitted scientific report		File:Journal-Commission-Europe-authorizing-permits-for-electric-pulse-fishing.jpg\|2006 Ratified law based on omitted scientific report
	File:2006 report Europeeancomission Scientific-branch 1-month-before-permits.jpg\|2006 Omitted STEFC report		File:2006 report Europeeancomission Scientific-branch 1-month-before-permits.jpg\|2006 Omitted STEFC report
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