Fishing into the Future, the South West-based UK charity for sustainable fishing, invites the fishermen of the future to attend its ground-breaking training programme, an Introduction to Sustainable Fishing. This is an all-expenses paid training opportunity for the fishing industry leaders of the future.
Run for the very first time, this event will be held at Dartington Hall on the 6t–8th March 2018, and the charity is looking for interested and inspired fishermen to participate. Devon shell-fisherman and strong advocate for sustainable fishing Alan Steer, chairman of Fishing into the Future, has been involved in the design of the training programme.
‘I’ve been a fishermen all my life and I’m passionate about the future of my industry. I think it is essential that fishermen have the knowledge and tools they need to communicate with scientists and policy-makers so that we can build trust and understanding in all sectors, leading to much better fisheries management . I am proud to be chairman of Fishing into the Future, and to be seeing this ambition become a reality,’ he said.
This industry-backed training programme is free to attend, and represents an opportunity for inshore fishermen from southern England to explore the processes of fisheries science and management in detail, away from the pressures of fishing. Participants will have the chance to rub shoulders with leading scientists and managers responsible for much of the regulation of their fisheries. An open and informal structure, with the needs of industry front and centre, will provide plenty of opportunity for fishermen to quiz presenters.
Similarly, policymakers and scientists will be afforded the change to learn about the inner workings of the fishing industry from a front-line perspective.
Fishing into the Future is developing its Fisheries Resource Education Programme in response to the growing complexity of the fishing industry and its resulting needs. Its ‘sister’ course – the Business of Fishing – was run in Scotland in June 2017, to wide acclaim.
‘Fishermen of tomorrow will require a wider understanding of the husbandry and stewardship of our fish stocks and wider marine ecosystems. This course provides a great foundation in the key components of fisheries science and management,’ said Scottish White Fish Producer’s Association chief executive Mike Park, commenting on the success of the Business of Fishing course last year.
Fishing into the Future is now looking for up to 30 fishermen from inshore fisheries in the south and south west of the UK to participate in this new element to our training programme. Those who apply can expect to explore fisheries science and management from the inside – through a combination of hands-on activities, lectures and debates. A panel of special guests from around the UK will also be on hand to answer questions and contribute to the process.
Mark Robertson, skipper of the Zenith and a graduate from the first Business of Fishing course, is now a trustee of Fishing into the Future, and training for the fishermen of the future is a subject dear to his heart
‘In the 34 years I’ve been a fisherman, we’ve never been taught how fisheries are managed, and how science interacts with the fishing,’ he said. ‘I’ve been waiting a long time for a course like this to come along, and it will make a real difference to the next generation of fishermen.’
Jim Masters, Executive Director of Fishing into the Future, underlined how important new, well-informed, champions for a sustainable fishing industry are.
‘In these uncertain times, whatever the shape of our fisheries in a post-Brexit world, we hope that through training courses like this we can help build a confident, professionalised industry where fishermen play a central and vital role in the measurement and management of their fisheries, building a sustainable and prosperous industry from the bottom-up,’ Jim Masters said.
To apply to participate in the training programme, please contact Jim Masters at Fishing into the Future, Jim.masters2015@outlook.com / 07900244507 / 01803 659219.
