Fisheries Management and the National Marine Plan What the inshore fishing industry is doing to deliver the aims and objectives of the National Marine Plan Actions taken by the Fisheries Management Plan Proactively managing fisheries for sustainable food production North & East Coast Region, Inshore Fisheries Group (NECRIFG)

North & East Coast Region, Inshore Fisheries Group - Overview NECRIFG is non-statutory body that aims to improve the management of Scotland's inshore fisheries out to 6nm and to give commercial fishermen a strong voice in wider marine management developments We meet 3 times a year; balance of shellfish, demersal and pelagic sectors represented; I progress agreed actions, manage problem solving Work Groups and generate discussion reports We use the Decision Making Process to make Recommendations to Marine Scotland and Scottish Ministers We have developed and are now implementing our Fisheries Management Plan which incorporates National Marine Plan aims and objectives North & East Coast Region, Inshore Fisheries Group (NECRIFG)

Decision Making Process – results driven How do you get a large group of alpha males with competing business interests to work collaboratively and arrive at a consensus? By using the ‘work the problem’ process: Investigate and agreed the problem – e.g. questionnaire, collate data & comments in to a discussion report Consider solution options – e.g. what’s worked elsewhere? No right of veto stops a vested interest preventing progress, it requires them to articulate their reasoning which often clarifies misunderstandings as well as encourages counter proposals, compromise and innovation until such time a consensus is agreed and a Recommendation produced This satisfies DMP clause 2.3 which helps Marine Scotland advise Scottish Ministers Fortunately, fishermen are very results orientated, used to facing challenges and are highly pragmatic so once they are focused, they are good at solving problems (e.g. gear & spatial conflict, illegal fishing etc) North & East Coast Region, Inshore Fisheries Group (NECRIFG)

National Marine Plan – Our focus for results Key drivers are a growing World population and climate change The NMP provides an overarching framework for managing the marine resource as a national asset Requires a science and data led eco-systems based approach for developing policy and plans Requires marine planners and stakeholders to take a holistic view and work collaboratively Whilst wild caught fishing has the least impact on the environment of any form of food production (Prof Hilborn et al) Many nettles yet to be grasped… NMP enshrines a presumption in favour of protecting food resources FMP focus on sustainable fishing of target species & protect the marine environment Aspiration to sustainably increase inshore fishing (Ambition 2030) By pro-actively managing fisheries by area and by species… North & East Coast Region, Inshore Fisheries Group (NECRIFG)

Fisheries Management Plan – results process Aims and objectives of the NMP (Section 6) are included in our FMP Our process for implementing our Fisheries Management Plan Helping build the fishing data evidence base for informed decision making Proposed various science projects to inform management measures Have made recommendations for various management measures and working on more Are campaigning for more effective compliance Have commissioned a project to map fisheries by area and by species as well as map critical habitats, spawning grounds & nurseries = national asset EOI for an assessment project pre-Fisheries Improvement Plan Then, implement our Fisheries Improvement Plan to deliver sustainable fishing, accreditation and branding, protect marine environment etc Followed by the plan to sustainably increase inshore fishing North & East Coast Region, Inshore Fisheries Group (NECRIFG)

Sustainable Fishing - method The market is increasingly demanding fish and shellfish from certified sustainable sources Demersal and pelagic sectors have achieved MSC accreditation for key target species Fisheries Innovation Scotland – science led problem solving The majority of the inshore fishing fleet are vessels under 12m who fish within a limited range Annual stock assessment within their area and by target species Set appropriate Harvest Control Rules for locals and visiting vessels Need for on-going monitoring and management Must be underpinned by effective compliance North & East Coast Region, Inshore Fisheries Group (NECRIFG)

North & East Coast Region, Inshore Fisheries Group (NECRIFG) What the inshore fishing industry is doing to deliver the aims and objectives of the National Marine Plan Actions taken by the Fisheries Management Plan Proactively managing fisheries for sustainable food production North & East Coast Region, Inshore Fisheries Group (NECRIFG)