Please note this survey is only for vessels that land to Scottish Ports. Marine Scotland are working on a project to collect information about fishing gear which will then be used to help design a recycling scheme. They visited many ports around Scotland, and with the help of harbour masters and local businesses, They have been able to record information about the quantity of gear in use, in storage and on order. There has been considerable support for this project following the British-Irish Council Marine Litter Symposium, and to complete the information gathering they need the help of fishers. Designing a recycling scheme requires a thorough understanding of how fishers deal with their nets when they reach the end of their useful life.  It would be greatly appreciated if you could spare the time to complete this survey, it shouldn’t take too long, and your answers are very important to the success of any future recycling scheme.  The survey closes Wednesday 12 February. You can help by filling in the survey at: https://response.questback.com/scottishgovern ment/t3tkis52la The survey closes Wednesday February 12th 2020

Thank you to all who applied for the positions advertised below. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 we have had to delay the shortlisting process while we adjusted operations to work from home. We hope to contact everyone who has applied as soon as possible. NORTH WESTERN INSHORE FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (NWIFCA)  NWIFCA is a lead regulator protecting the inshore marine environment and fisheries in the North West of England. NWIFCA District extends from the Welsh border in the south to the Scottish border in the north and seawards out to 6 miles  Two vacancies are currently available in fisheries management with NWIFCA: Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Advisor (Based in Carnforth): working in a Team of 4 under the direction of the Senior Scientist with travel throughout the District. Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officer (Based in Whitehaven) to work as part of NWIFCA enforcement team both on shore and at sea under the Head of Enforcement. The following terms apply to both posts: Salary Scale:                £21,166 – £28,785 from 1 April 2019 Local Government Scale 11-25; starting point according to experience rising by one point per year subject to annual assessments Pension:                        Local government scheme (defined benefits and employer…

Consultation Description Defra want to know what you think about their policy on the use of reserve quota in England for 2020. Reserve quota – formerly known as uplift – is the additional quota used for fish that must be landed under the landing obligation. The policy is reviewed regularly and Defra want to take into account the views of the industry. They’re also seeking views on updating the reserve quota policy section of the English Quota Management Rules. This consultation is of interest to fishing industry, particularly vessels and producer organisations targeting quota species. For more information and to take part in the survey please visit the consultation website: Defra Consultation The consultation closes on 2nd March 2020. If you would find it helpful to talk to a member of the Defra marine and fisheries team about this consultation please do get in touch at [email protected]

Legislation creating the powers for the UK to operate as an independent coastal state and manage its fish stocks sustainably outside the EU is being introduced into Parliament today (29th January 2020). The introduction of the Fisheries Bill delivers a legal guarantee the UK will leave the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) at the end of the Transition Period, in December 2020 – allowing the UK to control who may fish in our waters, and on what terms, for the first time since 1973. The Bill ends current automatic rights for EU vessels to fish in British waters. In future, access to fish in UK waters will be a matter for the UK to negotiate and we will decide on the rules that foreign vessels must follow. As well as powers to implement new deals negotiated with the EU and other coastal states, set quotas, fishing opportunities and days at sea, the Bill includes new measures for Devolved Governments and a single set of UK-wide fisheries objectives to ensure that fish stocks, and the marine environment, are better protected. Changes to funding rules enabling the UK government to provide financial support for the breadth of what is currently funded by the…

North West Inshore and Offshore Marine Plan Since 2016 the Draft North West Inshore and Offshore Marine Plan has been developed with stakeholders, providing a robust and evidence-based plan that is tailored to the economic, environmental and social needs of the north west inshore and offshore marine plan areas. The Draft North West Inshore and Offshore Marine Plan will help to make sure the right activities occur in the right place, at the right time, and in the right way placing sustainable development at the centre of all decisions. The plan will provide a framework that will shape and inform decisions over how the areas’ waters are developed, protected and improved over the next 20 years. In doing so, the draft plans will help to safeguard and enhance the marine environment, improve the well-being of coastal communities and support a strong marine economy. The Draft Marine Plan will contribute to achievement of the Marine Policy Statement. Once the formal consultation period starts, the Consultation Draft North West Inshore and Offshore Marine Plan become a material consideration in decision-making. During this consultation period, the following documents will be presented for the public to consult on: The Draft North West Inshore and Offshore Marine Plan (which includes the plan’s vision, objectives and policies) The Draft North West…

The Sea Angling Diary Project is in its fifth year! Take part this year and join over 2,000 UK sea anglers that are recording their angling activity for this important project. The Sea Angling Diary Project is for UK sea anglers to help improve the sustainable management of marine stocks and demonstrate the value of sea angling. The project is delivered by Substance and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) on behalf of all the UK governments and devolved administrations. It helps report the activity, catches and value of recreational sea angling to assist better informed decision making. Some exciting new features were introduced in 2019, and participants are now able to record the species they target during a fishing trip. In addition to this, diarists can opt to share some details of their fishing trips to a shared activity dashboard. The biggest development in 2019 however was the launch of the Sea Angling Diary Mobile App, for Android and iOS. This free app is available to everyone that takes part in the project and allows you to record your catch on the go! You could also win prizes from Fishing Megastore, Sea Angler magazine and Amazon…

Each IFCA needs members who will take a balanced approach to caring for our seas, assessing the priority and importance of all users and stakeholders. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is looking to appoint to NWIFCA three proactive individuals with good communication skills and a demonstrable ability to disseminate IFCA regulations, policies and guidance through their network of contacts to serve as a member. Andrew Wareing, Director of Business Development and Transformation for the Marine Management Organisation, which is responsible for appointing local people with relevant expertise to the IFCAs, said: “These are rare, exciting opportunities for people with experience and a passion for their inshore marine area to play a major part in shaping how their local area is managed. If you want to make a positive difference and help balance economic, social and environmental needs, we would be pleased to hear from you.” The deadline for applications is 17:00, Wednesday 08 January 2020 and interviews are expected to take place on 14 January 2020 at NWIFCA, 1 Preston Street, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA5 9BY. The role is on a voluntary basis although relevant expenses may be reimbursed. If you would like an informal discussion about the role and functions…

Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences has been tagging Brown crabs around Wales in order to study their migration behavior. If you find a tagged Brown crab please contact [email protected]. Further details are available on the poster below:

The authorisation has been changed for Leasowe to enable fishing Monday to Friday. Weekly returns are required by 5pm Monday the week after fishing. Please see the amended authorisation below: Updated Leasowe Cockle Fishery Authorisation  

As part of the UK government’s commitment to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it, an independent review of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) – which represent the upper end of environmental protection – was publicly launched on the 8 June 2019. The 6 month review, led by ex-fisheries Minister Richard Benyon MP, has been asked to recommend whether and how HPMAs could be introduced within English inshore and off shore waters and Northern Irish offshore waters and, if supported by the evidence, recommend potential locations for pilot sites. A four-week call for evidence launches today inviting communities, industry and stakeholders for their comments on introducing tougher measures to help stop the impacts of human activity from damaging the marine environment. Views are also sought on which areas would benefit most from these extra protections. https://consult.defra.gov.uk/marine/highly-protected-marine-areas-call-for-evidence/

New Community Fund Now Open for Applications!  Solway Firth Partnership (SFP) is now running the Robin Rigg Community Fund on both side of the Solway Firth. The Robin Rigg Community Fund is available to community groups and organisations in the Solway area undertaking activities that contribute to the reduction of the effects of climate change or otherwise benefit the local community. The fund is now open to any organisation within the specified geographical area.  They can apply for a grant of £1,000 to £15,000 (only once in each year of the fund). The first deadline for applications to the Robin Rigg Community Fund will be 5pm on Thursday 12 December 2019. Further applications may be invited during 2020 if funds are available. Clair McFarlan, Solway Firth Partnership Manager, said: “We are now inviting applications from communities around the Solway coast for projects that will provide benefit to the local community in the areas of Environment; Renewable energy; Energy efficiency; Sustainable development; Charity; Education; Community; and General community amenity schemes or projects.” Kerry McCole, Robin Rigg Plant Manager, “Following the success of the Community Funds which were put in place for an initial ten-year period we are delighted to announce that…

This consultation has now closed. The following byelaw has been made by the Authority. Before seeking confirmation by the Defra Minister the Authority must consult stakeholders. If you wish to submit an objection you must write to both the addresses provided in the “How to Comment” section below. The consultation period will end on 8 November 2019. Byelaw 3 Cockle and Mussel Hand Fishing Permit 2019 The revised byelaw includes the following main changes from the current Byelaw 3: The number of new permits issued each year from the waiting list is increased from 10 to 20. A cap of 150 permits in total. Changes to permit conditions will be possible without a requirement to remake the byelaw following stakeholder consultation. The provision for support worker permits is ended. Additional commercial areas are created. The time limit for permit renewal has been brought forward. Permits must now be renewed for the next permit period by 31 July in the year they expire. A penalty point system for permit suspensions. Provision for young people to join the waiting list from the age of 12. Copies of the Byelaw Copies of the byelaw and regulatory impact assessment are available below as a…