Officers from Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) have conducted a beach clean at Cambois Beach, as part of a training day devoted to the science of climate change and the impacts of pollution, extreme weather and rising sea levels.

During the beach clean, the officers gathered a vast range of items, including disposable BBQs, helium balloons, ropes, broken tennis balls and all types of plastics from bottles and straws to cups, carrier bags and cutlery.

The aim of the NIFCA climate change workshop and beach clean was to consider the potential impacts on the fishing industry, for example the increasing acidification of the sea is making it hard for crustaceans like crabs and lobsters to form their shells, which is extremely important to commercial and recreational fishing in the North East.

The team also discussed the significance of everyone working to reduce their carbon footprint, with an emphasis on what is achievable and realistic in their own lives, including shopping for local produce, eating less meat, taking public transport, lift sharing and switching to green banking or washing clothes at 30 degrees.

The team also considered ways to reduce work-based carbon emissions and how to mitigate the carbon footprint of NIFCA. The team is now working on a long-term climate change and carbon reduction plan.

NIFCA chief executive, Mike Hardy, explains: “We have a collective responsibility to minimise our impact on the planet by promoting positive change and supporting developments in the fishing industry that reduce carbon emissions. As an organisation we are committed to reducing our impact on the planet by creating a sustainable carbon reduction plan.

“The beach clean at Cambois was a terrific way to highlight that keeping our beaches clean is especially important to protect wildlife, as well as the fishing industry and tourism. We can all play our part in looking after our beaches and waterways by taking litter home. Every year thousands of people help to make a difference by taking part in individual and organised beach cleans all over the country.”

NIFCA is based in Blyth and is responsible for looking after the marine environment and promoting sustainable fishing practices. Its district covers the area from the mid-point of the River Tyne to the Scottish border and extends six nautical miles out to sea along the Northumberland and North Tyneside coastline.

Defra has today launched the above consultation, including in respect of Lindisfarne in the NIFCA district. The link to the consultation can be found here:

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/hpma/consultation-on-highly-protected-marine-areas/

We are pleased to be able to share our Spring edition of NIFCA News. This issue features updates on our byelaws, the launch of our new website and our recent work in the district. We hope you find it to be an enjoyable and informative read.

Please note that the NIFCA office will be closed for one day on Monday 23rd May for training. You will be able to contact the office on 01670 797 676 and leave a message, following which a member of the team will get in touch. Alternatively, please email us at nifca@nifca.gov.uk.

The Association of IFCAs are recruiting. They have two vacancies and are seeking a Senior Policy Officer and a Senior Technical Officer to join their team. Full details of these positions can be found on the Association of IFCAs website at: www.association-ifca.org.uk/vacancies

Closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on 6th June 2022.

Northumberland IFCA is offering an exciting opportunity for a volunteer internship placement during summer 2022. The successful applicants will work upon the delivery of individual projects directly informing inshore fisheries management as part of NIFCA’s ongoing duties.

Internships will last for a period of four to six weeks between July and September, with an approximate commitment of 20 hours per working week. Northumberland IFCA will provide training opportunities in key areas to enable the volunteers to develop their experience and understanding of inshore fisheries management. Internships are unpaid but NIFCA will pay your reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with the NIFCA Internship Agreement.

For full details and to apply, please follow the button below.

NIFCA Placements