On 12th October 2020 at Mid and South East Northumberland Magistrates Court sitting at Bedlington, Michael William Denton was found guilty of assaulting a Northumberland Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Officer contrary to Section 292(5) of the Marine & Coastal Access Act 2009 (MACAA). At the same time, the court acquitted Mr Denton and his father and uncle on a joint charge of intentional obstruction contrary to section 292(4) of MACAA.

The court heard that on 15th October 2019 Officers attempted to conduct a landing inspection of the catch in fish boxes of fishing vessel Talisman II BK 176 in the car park of The Royal Northumberland Yacht Club. Three crew members from the vessel including Michael William Denton were present and during the course of the inspection it was accepted by the court that Michael William Denton assaulted an officer by physically manhandling and throwing him from the rear of the vehicle. The officer was fortunately not injured as a result of Mr Denton’s actions.

Finding Mr Denton guilty of assault, the Magistrates sentenced Mr Denton to an Order of Conditional Discharge for 6 months, together with a victim surcharge and contribution to prosecution costs totalling £434.00.

Speaking after the hearing, Northumberland IFCA Chief Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officer Mark Southerton said “It is extremely important that officers are allowed to carry out their lawful duties and undertake their very important work of inspecting catches in Northumberland to make sure that there is compliance with the rules and regulations which apply. This is in the interest of both the protection of the marine environment to help conserve stocks of fish and shellfish and also so that there is fairness between all fishers wishing to undertake lawful fishing activity. In finding Mr Denton guilty, it was clearly indicated that the court as well as Northumberland IFCA finds an assault on one of its’ Officers to be completely unacceptable and that this will not be tolerated, particularly where Officers are acting as in this case appropriately and within their legal powers ”.

Please note that our next Quarterly Meeting will be held virtually on Monday, 26th October 2020 at 2pm. If you would like to attend, please email nifca@nifca.gov.uk

Agenda Items for the meeting:-
Byelaw Update including making of new NIFCA Byelaw 2 re. Dredging ;
Recreational activity;
Risk Matrix;
Correspondence;
CEO Summary of Watch & Finance Meetings held earlier;
IFCO Reports- Chief IFCO, Environmental IFCOs and Vessels Maintenance Report

All are welcome to this public meeting.

The Association of IFCAs is pleased to share an exciting opportunity to join their team as the Lead National Training Officer. For more information on the vacancy and how to apply, visit The Association of IFCAs website HERE. 

NIFCA Trawling (2020) Byelaw

SECTION 155 & 156
MARINE AND COASTAL ACCESS ACT 2009

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the above legislation, Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) intends to apply to the Minister for the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs for confirmation of the “Trawling” (2020) byelaw which was made by NIFCA on 27th July 2020. The byelaw confirms an extension to the area where a permit is required to include the 3 – 6 nm area of the district; makes the permit fee into a permit condition to make it more flexible to change in line with changes to administrative costs; brings in a gear restriction within a “specified area” (namely, Coquet to St Mary’s MCZ) for light otter trawl gear only and therefore no scallop dredging or heavy otter trawl activity will be permitted within the MCZ; makes provision for trawlers with a trawling permit to be able to apply in writing to the authority for an exemption to fish using light otter trawls in the “specified area”; and makes provision to revoke the exemption to trawl within the “specified area” if effort levels within the Coquet to St Marys MCZ increase significantly above current levels.

Upon the said Trawling (2020) byelaw being confirmed by the Minister and coming into legal effect, the current Byelaw 1 Trawling will be revoked.

A full text of the byelaw and associated Impact Assessment can be viewed below or obtained from Northumberland IFCA offices: 8 Ennerdale Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RT or call 01670 797 676 and leave a message.

Any person wishing to object to or comment on the confirmation of the above byelaw must make representations in writing before 2nd October 2020 to the Marine Conservation & Enforcement Team, Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 7YH or: ifcabyelaws@marinemanagement.org.uk and must send a copy of such written representation to the Chief Executive at Northumberland Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority at 8 Ennerdale Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RT or nifca@nifca.gov.uk.

Documentation
1. Revised Byelaw 1 Trawling
2. Impact Assessment

A new research opportunity is available with NIFCA through Newcastle University as part of their Marine Ecosystems & Governance MRes Course, 

This exciting research project aims to investigate the potential impacts of fisheries aggregation devices (artificial structures that form shelters) used for bait collection. It provides an opportunity to gain experience with the potential to contribute directly into regional fisheries knowledge. For more details on the research project please see HERE

An exciting opportunity for an individual with administrative experience to become part of a dedicated team undertaking inshore fisheries management and working to aid marine conservation in the Northumberland IFCA district. We are looking for a highly organised person who is a confident multitasker and can demonstrate proficient computer experience. Administrative experience is essential, and this includes audio typing, data recording, photocopying and other required administrative tasks. The successful candidate will be able to work alone using initiative as well as working as part of a small team. If this sounds like you, then this is an opportunity not to be missed!

Visit HERE for full details.

Closing date: Sunday 6th September 2020.