The report describes Cefas’ major achievements for the year. As an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the document covers Cefas’ performance against ministerial targets, all of which were achieved.
Among Cefas’ achievements this year are:
- the UK winning an important case in the European Court of Justice, based on evidence provided by Cefas. The verdict was crucial – saving potentially several billion pounds, which may have otherwise been passed onto water users with no benefit for the environment.
- Cefas’ scientists and gear technologists leading “Project 50%”, working alongside Devon trawlermen to re-design and use fishing nets that delivered discard reductions of more than 50 per cent
- the signing of an innovative agreement with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to deliver efficiencies through shared sea surveys and the collection of evidence
- increased self-investment in Cefas’ science, which has enabled the agency to validate, for example, methods to measure the presence of novel toxins in shellfish from UK waters
- a marine and coastal report, co-authored by Cefas scientists, for the UK Climate Impacts Programme. The report aims to help the public, private and voluntary sectors understand and adapt to climate change.
- recognition for Cefas teams that were finalists at both the national Civil Service Awards and the Defra Team Awards.
Cefas’ Chief Executive, Richard Judge, said: “The report outlines continued excellent progress against our strategy, in which we responded positively to the challenges of a tightening financial environment. There are many examples of how we continued to make avery positive contribution to sustainable management of our seas, and associated resources, through our high-quality applied science.
“This success has only been possible because of the efforts and commitment of our staff in what has been a very demanding year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their commitment and professionalism.”
