1. 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)

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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)