Landmark conference kick-starts new era for inshore sector

A landmark step towards a new deal for UK inshore fishermen was taken last week, when inshore fisheries were in the spotlight at an unprecedented two-day conference, reports Tim Oliver.

Around 50 inshore fishermen from throughout the UK, as well as industry leaders, policy-makers, research institutes and environmental groups, met in London to discuss and consider possible fisheries management models.

The Future of Our Inshore Fisheries was the first step in an ambitious project that aims to transform UK inshore management over the medium to long term and ensure a thriving marine environment and coastal communities in the future.

Speakers from around the world and the UK highlighted the problems of managing inshore fisheries, and ways in which they had been addressed in different countries.

The conference aimed to establish a blueprint for the future management of inshore fisheries and lay the foundations for collaborative management in the future.

Speakers stressed the need to build awareness, understanding and consensus among those who would be involved in the future management of inshore fisheries.

They presented examples of fisheries management solutions, and shared best practice from Canada, the USA, Norway, Denmark and New Zealand. Round-table sessions then discussed the presentations and their relevance to the UK.

The conference, convened by an industry-led steering group and facilitated by Seafish, was held as the new fisheries bill that will enable a new fisheries management regime to be set up after Brexit is making its way through parliament.

Giving his support to the conference, which was attended by DEFRA, the MMO and IFCA officials, fisheries minister George Eustice MP said: “We recognise the importance of the inshore fleet, which is at the heart of many coastal communities. That’s why it’s vital that the views of inshore fishermen are taken into account as we take back control of our waters and build a sustainable, profitable and fair fishing industry for all of the UK.

“It is only through industry, scientists, regulators, UK government and devolved administrations coming together and learning from the best that we can develop tools to allow a more responsive, locally appropriate, sustainable and profitable approach to the management of our varied inshore fisheries.”

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