Northumberland’s fisheries management landscape is undergoing significant changes as key figures retire and new faces step up to lead the charge in marine conservation and sustainable fishing practices.

After an illustrious 15-year tenure, Les Weller, Chair of the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA), has announced his retirement. Les leaves behind a legacy of unwavering dedication to sustainable fisheries management and the preservation of marine ecosystems. His departure marks the end of an era characterised by tireless advocacy and impactful leadership.

Replacing Les at the helm is Amelia Henderson, a respected recreational angler and staunch advocate for marine conservation. Amelia has been a volunteer member of NIFCA since 2022 and is Secretary of the Bedlington Sea Angling Club. She brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship to her new role. Her appointment signals a continuity of NIFCA’s values and a renewed focus on collaborative efforts to protect North East coastal waters and marine biodiversity.

Commenting on Les’s retirement and Amelia’s appointment, Mark Southerton, Chief Officer of NIFCA, expressed gratitude for Les’s exemplary public service.

“Les has been a steadfast pillar of support for NIFCA, embodying our values of dedication and passion for marine conservation. His leadership and support have been instrumental in our achievements over the past 15 years, and he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire us.”

Incoming chair Amelia expressed her commitment to building upon Les’s legacy by fostering collaboration among stakeholders, fishing communities and conservation groups.

She said: “I am deeply honoured to follow in Les’s footsteps and eager to embark on this new journey. I am committed to working hand in hand with all of our stakeholders to preserve our coastal waters and uphold our rich marine biodiversity.”

In addition to the change in leadership, NIFCA also welcomes new members to its ranks. Jim Stephenson, a commercial fisher and NIFCA member for more than 28 years, has retired from his position.

He will be succeeded by Brian Douglas, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to the Authority’s endeavours. Furthermore, Guy Renner-Thompson has been nominated to serve as vice chair, further strengthening NIFCA’s leadership team.

“Jim Stephenson has been a cornerstone of NIFCA’s efforts for over 28 years, and we are immensely grateful for his dedicated service to our community,” added Mark.

“As a lifelong commercial fisher, Jim’s expertise and passion for our coastal waters have been invaluable. His commitment to sustainable fishing practices and marine conservation has left an indelible mark on our organisation. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jim for his public service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

As NIFCA transitions into this new chapter, it remains steadfast in its mission to promote responsible fishing practices, safeguard coastal habitats and ensure the sustainable management of the coastal waters in its district.

With a dynamic blend of experience, dedication, and passion, the Authority is poised to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the world of marine conservation and fisheries management.

A commercial fisherman from Holy Island, Mr Paul Douglas, was fined £2,690 by magistrates at the Quayside Law Courts in Newcastle on Friday, May 10th. The fine comes as a consequence of breaching national fisheries legislation aimed at protecting key species along the Northumberland Coast.

This related to incidents in November 2023 and January 2024 when Mr Douglas retained egg bearing Lobsters.

The case was brought against Mr Douglas by the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) who manage the inshore fishery along the Northumberland and North Tyneside coastline.

During the hearing, Andrew Oliver of Andrew Jackson Solicitors prosecuting on behalf of NIFCA, informed the court that on both the 16^th of November 2023 and the 16^th of January 2024, enforcement officers from NIFCA had conducted inspections on Mr Douglas’s catch and vessel.

Mr Douglas, the owner/skipper of the commercial fishing vessel Scarlet Cord R7, was found to have had prohibited egg bearing lobsters in his catch on both occasions, tests later performed on one of the lobsters showed that although there was only a limited number of eggs still present, the remainder that would have also been attached had not naturally hatched.

Mr Douglas had committed two offences,

• He, on the 16^th of November 2023 had fished for and retained two berried lobsters, contrary to the Lobster and Crawfish (Prohibition of Fishing and Landing) Order 2000 and the Sea Fish Conservation Act 1967.
• He, on the 16^th of January 2024 had fished for and retained two berried lobsters, contrary to the Lobster and Crawfish (Prohibition of Fishing and Landing) Order 2000 and the Sea Fish Conservation Act 1967.

Mr Douglas, represented in court by Richard Arnot of Ward Hadaway Solicitors pleaded guilty to both offences. The Bench issued Mr Douglas a Band D fine of £960 and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £384 along with prosecution costs of £1,350.

Nick Weir, lead enforcement officer for NIFCA, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating: “The Authority is pleased that the court recognises the importance of enforcing conservation measures within our district. The shellfish fishery is vital for Fishers in the district and allowing lobsters to breed successfully helps to ensure stocks can be maintained”.

“Fishing in Northumberland is an economically sensitive activity and of great social importance to our local heritage and character. Our byelaws in conjunction with national legislation, balance the social, environmental, and economic needs of our stakeholders to promote healthy seas, sustainable fishing, and a viable industry”.

You are invited to take part in a research study looking to understand mental health in the commercial fishing industry. 

This research is funded by the University of Exeter and the Seafarers’ Charity and hopes to understand the state of mental health in the fishing industry and the current stressors facing fishermen. This information will help the project to make recommendations to government and other organisations about how to support coastal communities.

This survey is for ALL commercial fishermen in England, not just those with mental health concerns. We would like you to take part if you are happy and healthy and/or if you have mental health concerns. If you participate in this survey there is the option to be entered into a prize draw for £200. Please see the attached poster for more information.

Please use the following link to access the survey:

https://exe.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7afn9yuX1jxkkKi

For any further information, please contact Skylar Collins at sc1286@exeter.ac.uk

NIFCA Spring 2024 Newsletter

Please note that our next Quarterly Meeting will be held at East Bedlington Community Centre, 16 Station Street, Bedlington, NE22 7JN on Monday 22nd April 2024 at 1pm.

The meeting is open to all.  If you have any queries or would like to attend, please email nifca@nifca.gov.uk

On the 19^th of October 2023 at North Shields Magistrates Court, Mr Michael William Denton of Newbiggin by the Sea, was found guilty of two offences and pled guilty to a further two offences in which he breached Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) byelaws.

The case was brought against Mr Denton by NIFCA who manage the inshore fishery along the Northumberland and North Tyneside coastline.

Elizabeth Rowley of Andrew Jackson Solicitors prosecuting on behalf of NIFCA, informed magistrates that on the 13^th of October 2022 Fisheries Officers from NIFCA and the Environment Agency observed and recorded Mr Denton aboard a recreational boat fishing using more than the five lobster pots his recreational permit allowed.

The officers proceeded to undertake an inspection on Mr Denton’s catch after he had returned to the shore finding three further offences. Mr Denton had taken more than two lobsters in a day and landed 21 lobsters that were beneath the minimum conservation reference size, three of which were egg baring.

Mr Denton a commercial fisherman, represented by Paul Dunn of Lawson and Thompson solicitors, pleaded guilty to fishing with more than five pots and taking more than two lobsters.

He was found guilty of the other offences and found to have caused deliberate harm to the fishery. The court ordered Mr Denton to pay a fine of £480, a victim surcharge of £192 and contribute £400 in costs.

Nick Weir, lead enforcement officer at NIFCA, said: “The Authority is happy with the court’s findings and for the continued support it has demonstrated towards the work we do. We would also like to thank the Environment Agency for its assistance during this investigation. Fishing for shellfish in Northumberland is vitally important to commercial fishers and a source of great enjoyment for responsible recreational fishers.

“Northumberland IFCA will vigorously pursue any person that deliberately harms the fishery or ignores byelaws that balance the social, environmental and economic needs of our stakeholders as we strive to promote healthy seas, sustainable fishing and maintain a viable industry.”