Defra are considering new spatial management measures to provide additional resilience and protection for the North Sea sandeel stocks to reduce the impacts of industrial sandeel fishing on the wider ecosystem. They would like views from stakeholders on options for the future management of sandeels in UK waters. You can respond to this online via the link below, the consultation closes on 30^th May 2023.  Please contact the NIFCA office if any further information or assistance is required.

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/wg-management-measures-for-industrial-sandeel-fishing/consultation-on-spatial-management-measures-for-in/

Dear Fisher,

NIFCA in collaboration with Newcastle University are conducting a survey to gather views from potters in the NIFCA region on the national crab and lobster fisheries management plan which is due to be released to public consultation in early summer this year. One proposed measure in the plan that we are aware of is an increase in the minimum landing size of lobster from 87mm to 90mm. The full detail of the proposed FMP will be released at the point of consultation.

We would like to be as ready as possible for the consultation with a regional response that is inclusive of as many fishers as possible and so are seeking views on what should be included in the FMP and, more specifically, your opinion on the proposed increase MLS and how it might affect your fishing.

There are 2 surveys, a short one (5 minutes to complete) and a longer one (approx.. 30 minutes to complete), which covers a wider variety of issues that are relevant to fisheries management.

Please complete either of these (not both) and submit your findings at the below links.

Newcastle University will then process the data and produce a report summarising the views of fishers in this region, which will be available on the NIFCA website and presented back to fishers in person, through the NIFCA fisher forums (by end of April 2023).

All responses are completely anonymous and you cannot be identified by your response.

Please submit your response by 14^th April 2023 at which point the survey will close.

If you’d like an in-person or phone call interview to share your views, please email Sarah.coulthard@newcastle.ac.uk.

If you’ve spoken to Beth, Lauren or Sarah (from Newcastle University) about this already there’s no need to complete this survey as it’s the same questions.

Thank you for your time – it’s so important that fishers have a clear voice in the development of these plans.

Short Survey

https://newcastle.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/fmp-short-survey

Long Survey

https://newcastle.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/fmp-long-survey

North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority are recruiting a Chief Executive Officer.

More information available here: https://www.nw-ifca.gov.uk/news/recruiting-chief-executive-officer/

Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) has successfully prosecuted a recreational shellfish gatherer for breaching one if its byelaws.

On the 10^th of November 2022, at North Shields Magistrates Court, Mr Michael William Denton of Newbiggin by the Sea pled guilty to the breach.

Andrew Oliver of Andrew Jackson Solicitors prosecuting on behalf of NIFCA, which manages the inshore fishery along the Northumberland and North Tyneside coastline, informed magistrates that on the 12^th of May, Mr Denton was observed and recorded fishing with shellfish pots within the NIFCA district.

Mr Denton, a crew member on a commercial fishing vessel, was aware of the fisheries legislation and was fishing from his own recreational boat without the required NIFCA Recreational Shellfish Permit.

Mr Denton, represented by Paul Dunn of Lawson and Thompson Solicitors was found to have been negligent and to have caused harm to the fishery. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £200 costs and a victim surcharge of £43.00.

Nick Weir, Lead Enforcement Officer at NIFCA, said: “The Authority is happy with the court’s findings and its recognition of the importance of the work we do. Fishing for shellfish in Northumberland is vitally important to commercial fishers and a source of great enjoyment for responsible recreational gatherers.

“I would advise anyone who wishes to fish or gather shellfish to visit our website or contact our office to check that what they are doing is within our byelaws. The byelaws exist to balance the social, environmental and economic needs of our stakeholders in order to promote healthy seas, sustainable fishing and a viable industry.”

Please note that our next Quarterly Meeting will be held at East Bedlington Community Centre, 16 & 17 Station Road, Bedlington Station NE22 7JN, on Monday 24th October 2022 at 1pm.

Agenda items include:-

IFCO Reports on activity in the district, Environmental Report and update on NIFCA research, surveys and projects and a presentation on behalf of the local Marine Nature Partnership.

If you would like to attend, please email nifca@nifca.gov.uk

NIFCA has completed its response to the consultation and a copy can be seen here:-

NIFCA Lindisfarne HPMA Consultation response