The Future of Our Inshore Fisheries Conference, set to take place in London on 8-9th October, is expected to bring together fishermen, policy makers, regulators and researchers to discuss issues concerning management of inshore fisheries and to establish a blueprint for their future management.
The conference is supported by Seafish and its steering group chair is Professor Michel Kaiser of Heriot-Watt University. The project steering group was established in January 2019, with representatives from across the UK industry, government and science communities.
‘The Future of Our Inshore Fisheries is an ambitious project that looks to transform how we manage these important resources over the medium to long-term, so that we can ensure that our fisheries, our marine environment and our coastal communities are sustainable and thriving,’ Michel Kaiser said.
‘There are no quick wins here so it is vital that we take the time to understand the issues and challenges that currently exist so that we can build awareness, understanding and consensus amongst all the parties involved in the management of this important marine resource.’
‘A key focus of the October conference will be to bring all interested parties together, whether that’s small scale fishermen, regulators, the environmental community and researchers, to help shape the blueprint for future management. By working together from the outset we hope to lay the foundations for future collaborative working.’
Coastal Producer Organisation chief executive Jim Pettipher, representing small-scale fishermen, commented that the inshore sector needs to be managed in a way which allows the benefits that these fisheries offer to be realised.
‘From the formation of the steering group to today’s workshop, industry has been involved in every step of this process to establish a way forward,’ he said.
‘Seafish is pleased to be part of this important initiative,’ commented Seafish Director of Operations Aoife Martin.
‘Our unique role across the UK seafood sector means we are perfectly placed to facilitate and support people to come together to work on solutions to improve the management of our local fisheries. The October conference will provide an opportunity for participants to look at examples of best practice, from the UK and beyond, and to consider how we wish to responsibly manage our fisheries so that we can continue to support a truly thriving seafood sector.’
According to Barrie Deas, Chief Executive of the NFFO, the conference provides a unique opportunity to establish a bespoke fisheries management regime for the UK.
‘I would encourage inshore fishermen to take this opportunity to be part of creating this blueprint for the future management of our fisheries by engaging through the steering group and by attending the Future of Our Inshore Fisheries conference in October.’
Registration for the conference, to be held at the Leonardo Royal Hotel at Tower Bridge in London on 8-9 October 2019 and free to attend, is open now. Visit the Seafish website for further details.
