Moray Firth Inshore Fisheries Group Background and Progress to Date

Background Scottish Government Initiative Involve fishing industry in process of fisheries management Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG) developed constitution and high level objectives Extremely long gestation period! 12 IFG areas covering the entire coast?

Inshore Fisheries Groups 3 Pilot areas launched May 2009 South East, Clyde, Outer Hebrides 3 Pilot areas launched August 2009 Mull & SI, North West, Moray Firth MFIFG Duncansby Head/Rattray Head/6nm Independent Chairmen Appointed MFIFG John Cox, Aberdeenshire Council

Inshore Fisheries Groups Co-ordinator Only Salaried Employee No statutory duties / Not statutory bodies No inherent budget Seek external funding in order to progress any initiatives

Inshore Fisheries Groups Executive Committee Fishermen’s organisations with members fishing in the area MFIFG: SWFPA, FAL, M&NWFA, SA, SPFA, ECLSBA, CSGFA Independent fishermen’s representative MFIFG: Jimmy Mitchell Charged with developing a Fisheries Management Plan

Inshore Fisheries Groups Executive Committee supported by Formally Constituted Advisory Group Statutory bodies Marine Scotland – Compliance, Science, Policy; SNH; SEPA Key stakeholders; Local Authorities; Development Agencies; Wildlife interests (LINK); DSFBs; Port Authorities; Other interests – MFP, NSRAC etc Advise on the compatibility of Fisheries Management Plan/Measures

Development of the Fisheries Management Plan for the Moray Firth Exec. Comm. have agreed a draft FMP Covers all fisheries in the Moray Firth Sustainability of fish stocks primary objective Identifies lack of an evidence base allowing rational management Evidence gathering is the key feature of initial implementation Statutory advisory bodies views have been sought

Development of the Fisheries Management Plan for the Moray Firth Next Steps Consult full Advisory Group January 2011 Wider public consultation February/March 2011 Submit draft plan to MS-Policy Seek views of SIFAG MS-Policy seek ministerial approval Cabinet Secretary Rural Affairs and Environment

Implementing the MFIFG Fisheries Management Plan Implementation on the basis of a partnership approach Both Statutory and Non-statutory body involvement Funding? IFG programme subject of an early policy review Outcome expected soon! IFGs and Scottish Marine Regions?