nifca news winter 2025
NIFCA Presents at Seafish Deckhand Preparation Course in Amble NIFCA was pleased to take part in the recent Seafish five- day Deckhand Preparation Course in Amble, offering an excellent opportunity to highlight the vital role IFCAs play in managing inshore fisheries. Officers also enjoyed speaking with students about sustainable fishing, compliance, and career pathways within the industry. Each student received information on fish and shellfish minimum sizes along with measuring gauges and boards. The Deckhand Preparation Course provides essential training for anyone entering the commercial fishing sector. Over five days, participants gain core skills and the mandatory qualifications needed to work safely aboard UK fishing vessels. The programme blends practical sessions with classroom learning, covering vessel and crew safety, gear handling, catch management, and maritime regulations, with two mandatory qualifications: Sea Survival and Health & Safety. After completing the course, participants undertake at least one month’s sea time on a UK commercial fishing vessel, allowing them to apply their new skills in real conditions while building confidence and experience.
Marine Nature Partnership
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NIFCA officers recently joined partners in Newcastle to mark 25 years of the Berwickshire and Northumberland Marine Nature Partnership. The Partnership brings together nearly thirty organisations and community groups, all working toward a shared goal: protecting the region’s outstanding marine environment. Its work includes coordinated Marine Protected Area management, nature recovery projects, evidence sharing, and support for responsible use of the coast and sea. By joining effort across sectors, the Partnership helps safeguard ecological, cultural, and economic value of the Berwickshire Coast. At the anniversary event, NIFCA presented on how inshore fisheries management has changed over the past quarter century, reflecting on the evolution from the Northumberland Sea Fisheries Committee to the current IFCA model and the growing role of science, engagement, and adaptive management.
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