The UK Government, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, Scottish Government, and Welsh Government are launching a public consultation on the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS).

A key component of the Fisheries Act 2020, the Joint Fisheries Statement sets out the legally binding policies the UK Government and Devolved Governments will follow, at a UK level and individually, as they work together to deliver world-class sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management.

The consultation, running from 18 January to 12 April 2022, will welcome views from industry and environmental stakeholders, the public and all those interested and affected by the proposed policies and can be accessed following THIS LINK 

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

Agenda Items include:-
IFCO Reports- Chief IFCO, Environmental IFCOs, District Reports and Vessels Maintenance Report and the Authority Budget for 2022-23. 

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

A new UK Fishing Restriction service has been launched. This service provides information on commercial fishing gear restrictions in UK waters. The AIFCA has supported the development of the project and engagement with the ten regional IFCAs. To view this resource, please follow this link: Kingfisher Map

The IFCA General Member recruitment campaign is now live. The MMO will be seeking to appoint to fill current vacancies and create a reserve list for upcoming vacancies.

As a voluntary member of an IFCA committee you will work in a team with others, helping to ensure that:

• the use of sea fisheries resources is carried out in a sustainable way and is balanced with the need to protect the marine environment or promote its recovery from, the effects of exploitation
• the different needs of those engaged in the exploitation of sea fisheries and marine resources are balanced
• the conservation objectives of marine conservation zones are achieved

The closing date for applications is 24 January 2022. For more details or to apply, please follow this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/exciting-opportunity-to-manage-inshore-fisheries-and-conservation-ifca

Please note that our Christmas 2021 opening times are as follows:

Thursday 23^rd December: Open AM, 

Friday 24^th December: Closed, 

Tuesday 28^th December: Closed, 

Wednesday 29^th December: Open AM,

Thursday 30^th December: Open AM,

Friday 31^st December: Closed,

Monday 3^rd January 2022: Closed. 

Normal office hours resume Tuesday 4th January 2022

The APPG on Fisheries is supporting the compilation of a report that will cover the experiences of members of the UK’s fishing industry in light of Brexit. We are looking to collate responses from various members of the fishing industry (including supply chain, processors, exporters), and would really appreciate your input.

The Secretariat have provided the following prompts:

• How has Brexit affected your livelihood?

  • Has the turnover of your business changed?

  • Have you found changes in the availability of labour?

  • If you are involved in exports, have you seen any financial or regulatory impact since the start of January?

• Have any of the impacts been unexpected? If so, which and in what way?

• What key changes do you want to see to improve or protect your livelihood in the future?

All responses will be anonymised.
Please send responses or any queries to the APPG Secretariat at secretariat@fisheriesappg.org by 4 January.