Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) is proud to be supporting the North Shields 800th Anniversary Celebrations taking place throughout 2025.
The year-long programme marks a major milestone in the town’s history, celebrating its past, present and future through a packed calendar of community events and activities.
In May, NIFCA joined a local ‘Information Sharing Day’ as part of the anniversary events. The team visited Year 5 pupils at New York Primary School in North Shields, engaging with forty-three children as one of five educational stations.
Alongside NIFCA, representatives included historians discussing the fish quay during the 1800s, documentary photographer Pete Robinson with a collection of images of the North Shields fishing industry and Terry McDermott presenting on the area’s rich fishing heritage.
NIFCA’s session introduced pupils to the Authority’s work, explaining how it helps protect marine life and support sustainable fisheries in the region.
Staff explained the evolution of the organisation, from its origins as a Sea Fisheries Committee focused primarily on enforcement, to the modern IFCA model, which now places significant emphasis on research, surveys, and environmental monitoring.
The children also took part in a hands-on activity exploring the Authority’s Lobster V-Notching programme. Using model lobsters and official measuring gauges, pupils learned how to identify which lobsters meet the legal minimum size for landing and which must be returned to the sea, a vital part of sustaining local stocks.
The session gave young learners a deeper understanding of marine conservation, the science behind NIFCA’s decisions, and how local action supports wider environmental goals.
On Friday 20th of June, the NIFCA team also took part in the North Shields 800 Parade of Sail, which involved a flotilla of local boats participating in a Blessing of the Fleet to celebrate the town’s fishing heritage.
The team also attended the Pride of the Seas II Exhibition at the North Shields 800 Community Day on Saturday 28th June, hosted by the Linskill Centre. The popular event celebrated the rich history, heritage, and culture of North Shields through inspirational talks, music, exhibits and a community marketplace.
NIFCA CEO, Mark Southerton, said: “NIFCA is proud to support the North Shields 800, celebrating the heritage, resilience, and vibrant future of our coastal community.
“Together, we honour the past and help shape a sustainable tomorrow for generations to come. We look forward to continuing our involvement in the North Shields 800 celebrations and building greater awareness of the work we do to protect our inshore marine environment.”
Stuart Harding became a full member following the retirement of Ian Thomas on May 12. A lifelong Northumberland resident, Stuart brings with him a deep-rooted connection to the county’s coastline and a strong commitment to sea angling.
His appointment reflects NIFCA’s continued focus on representing all stakeholders involved in the sustainable use and management of inshore marine resources within its district.
Stuart is a well-known figure in the local angling community. For the past four years, he has served on the committee of the New Ship Sea Angling (NSSA) club in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, actively participating in matches and promoting responsible angling practices.
Stuart said: “I’m proud to be joining NIFCA as a representative of recreational sea anglers. I’ve lived in Northumberland all my life and the coast has always been close to my heart.
“Sea angling is more than a hobby for me, it’s a way of life. I look forward to working with the Authority to ensure the voice of local anglers is heard and to protect the future of our marine environment.”
Mark Southerton, Chief Officer at NIFCA, welcomed Stuart’s appointment: “We are delighted to have Stuart on board. His local knowledge, enthusiasm and clear dedication to sea angling will be a real asset.
“His appointment ensures that recreational anglers continue to be well represented in our decision-making, which is vital to the balanced and inclusive approach we take to inshore fisheries management.”
Please note that our next Quarterly Meeting will be held at Newbiggin Maritime Centre, Church Point, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, NE64 6DB on Monday 28th July 2025 at 1pm.
The meeting is open to all. If you have any queries or would like to attend, please email nifca@nifca.gov.uk.
The Angling Trust has recently launched an online training system. https://anglingtrust.net/fishnet-learning-hub/
Thanks to Environment Agency funding through rod licence sales, the Angling Trust has produced FishNET – a completely free to use online Learning Management System (LMS) dedicated to educating our volunteers, club bailiffs, and those involved in law enforcement. It is aimed at supporting all users with an interest in fisheries enforcement and invasive non-native species (INNS) management in fisheries including:
The latest round of the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) in now open, supporting projects that strengthen England’s seafood sector and support economic growth while enhancing nature recovery, see link below for further information: