Cefas Monthly News - July

Yesterday, Cefas and the University of Essex announced a new partnership to promote marine and freshwater science research and education.

Cefas Science Lead Dr Stephen Dye said “this year Cefas is celebrating 120 years of influential science in Lowestoft, by looking towards the science and people we need, to address the global challenges of the future. Growing our relationship with the University of Essex helps on both fronts by combining our international  science excellence and advice, while building out from our local and regional collaborations.”

Last month, First Light Festival delighted crowds as it made its long-awaited return to Lowestoft's South Beach. Cefas colleagues hosted various interactive activities in the Science Dome and Climate Scientist John Pinnegar gave a talk to the crowds on our 120 year history in the town.

Staff shared facts about fisheries, plastics and climate change using quizzes, infographics, and even a microplastics microscope. One family said “we came to the festival on Saturday and of the whole festival the dome and the Cefas stands were where they asked to come back to today”.

Two weeks ago, 15 skippers and their crew members from fishing ports across South-West and Southern England successfully completed their compulsory specialist training which covered best practice in the capture, tagging, recovery and release of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. The skippers and crew members are taking part in CHART - a Defra-funded programme aiming to provide important scientific data on the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna.

Attendees were put through their paces in a combination of theory and practical sessions led by sector experts and Cefas scientists.

The completion of the training means the skippers and crew members are on track to be granted scientific licences to fish for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna from August to December this year. You can follow updates throughout the season via #BFTCHART. 

Satellite research tags can tell us a wealth of information about fish  – from their daily position, vertical movements and even the temperatures they experience.

In her blog Cefas scientist Serena Wright shares updates on tagging in St Helena. The St Helena Government actively monitors the populations of key marine species in their Marine Protected Area - such as yellowfin and bigeye tuna - with support from the Blue Belt Programme. This helps fish stocks remain at sustainable levels, while learning more about the behaviour of these incredible fish.

Fisheries Technologist