SUCCESS CRITERIA
FISHER FOCUSED COMMUNICATION A social science research project led by Dr Sarah Coulthard (Newcastle University), funded by NIFCA, highlighted the importance of inclusive engagement, particularly one-to-one and in-person, quayside interactions. In response, NIFCA has strengthened direct engagement with commercial and recreational fishers, wholesalers and the public. Officers engage while on patrol, through surveys and at events, sharing information on the Authority’s role, byelaws and workstreams, while gathering insights from the fishing community. Fisher Forums were established during the national Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMA) consultation, where fishers expressed a strong desire for more opportunities to contribute to information exchanges to support decision-making. They are informal, drop-in sessions held at coastal locations and on the quayside, including on board the patrol vessel where appropriate. Discussions are led by fishers rather than a fixed agenda, with officers providing relevant updates. The forums enable direct dialogue with NIFCA’s Chief Officer and team, supporting collaboration on management and conservation. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) RFG representatives are also invited. To date, 34 forums have been held across six ports in the district and at Eyemouth. Key themes include Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs), Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS) changes, gear innovation, workforce challenges, and measures such as V-notching and the berried hen prohibition. Engagement extends beyond forums, with officers speaking to fishers along the coast, at landing sites, and through direct contact or office visits, ensuring broader participation. Engagement has resulted in 95 actions, from information sharing to collaborative initiatives. Two key workstreams have emerged. The reintroduction of the V-notching scheme (previously in place from 2000 to 2017) was driven by strong fisher support and concerns over enforcing the berried hen ban, and has been reinstated annually since July 2024. A Nephrops Monitoring Programme was also developed following reports of decline after Storm Babet, involving fisher-led data sharing, seabed surveys, habitat assessments and the development of a burrow count survey. NIFCA will continue to use Fisher Forums and wider engagement to inform its work. Priorities include gathering feedback on MCRS implementation to inform Defra, exploring new and emerging fisheries, and progressing targeted marine survey work in collaboration with the fishing industry. Outputs from future Fisher Forums will also be made publicly available on the NIFCA website.
FISHER FORUM OUTPUTS
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