Source: Angling Trust
The IFCAs are responsible for the management and conservation of inshore fisheries resources out to six miles from the coast.
The four year term of those appointed to the committees in 2010, when the IFCAs were formed, comes to an end on 31 March 2015 and applications are now being accepted for new members to join the IFCA committees and represent the interests of local communities from 01 April 2015 onwards for up to four years.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is responsible for appointing members of the public to the committees who are familiar with the needs and opinions of the local fishing community or those with particular knowledge or expertise in marine environmental matters.
What will it involve if you’re successful?
Being a member of an IFCA committee appointed by the MMO is a voluntary public role which will involve, amongst other things, attending meetings, representing the IFCA at other meetings and consulting with members of the community whom you represent. You’ll be expected to commit approximately one day per month to the IFCA.
What will you get out of it if your application is successful?
In return you will be helping to ensure that the exploitation of fish stocks is carried out in a sustainable way, that the needs of anglers in the exploitation of local fish stocks are balanced against commercial fishing exploitation and that the social and economic benefits of exploiting fish stocks and other sea fisheries resources is balanced against the need to protect the marine environment.
Put simply, sea angling is a hugely important part of the inshore fisheries sector and you’ll be responsible for making sure the government, fisheries managers and the local community know that.
Who is the MMO looking for?
The MMO is looking for candidates who have: an active interest and involvement in their local community, a passion for making a positive difference in their local area, and individuals with excellent communication, influencing and participation skills.
If you think this is you, or you know someone else from the sea angling community who ticks these boxes, please consider applying today or send them the details. It is important that sea anglers apply and get sufficiently represented on the IFCAs over the coming years so that sea angling is taken into account in the management of fish stocks, the designation and management of marine conservation zones and much more.
David Mitchell, Marine Campaigns Manager for the Angling Trust said:
“Ninety nine per cent of sea angling takes place within six miles of the shore where the IFCAs have responsibility for managing and conserving fish stocks. It’s therefore critical that as many angers as possible apply to be committee members on their local IFCAs so that the interests of sea anglers get taken into account around the coast over the coming years.”
Applications close on Monday 02 February 2015. More details, including a candidate information pack and application form, may be found HERE and further information is available on the MMO website HERE
The ten IFCAs are: North Western, Scilly Isles, Cornwall, Devon & Severn, Southern, Sussex, Kent & Essex, Eastern, North Eastern, and Northumberland. Links to every IFCA website can be found HERE.
