community outreach
Defra FMP Policy Team Visit Northumberland
Northumberland IFCA was pleased to welcome representatives from Defra’s Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) Policy Team earlier this year. Working alongside colleagues from the Association of IFCAs (AIFCA), NIFCA hosted the visit at our Blyth office, where the team met with Chief Officer Mark Southerton and our Environmental and Science team. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to showcase how IFCAs support the delivery and implementation of national Fisheries Management Plans. The Authority highlighted our extensive data collection programmes for the crab and lobster fisheries, as well as our stakeholder engagement work, including our Fisher Forum sessions, which keep industry informed on the progress of the FMP programme. We also shared examples of wider workstreams, including the development of our nephrops surveys and stock assessments further supporting national FMP policy, strengthened through partnership working with CEFAS,
the Marine Directorate, and our membership within the ICES Nephrops Survey Working Group. Additional national examples were presented by the AIFCA Policy Officer. Following the meeting, a harbour visit to Amble was arranged, providing the Defra team with an opportunity to speak directly with local fishers and hear first-hand about the challenges the industry is facing. Discussions covered a range of national policy changes, including EU Exit exporting impacts, FMP implementation on crab and lobster, Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (IVMS), and fish traceability requirements.
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