A-IFCA CELEBRATES 10 YEARS ON WORLD OCEAN DAY

A-IFCA Celebrates 10 years on World Ocean Day with Conference and Survey Findings 

The Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (A-IFCA) is marking World Ocean Day this year (June 8^th) with its own celebration of the work of the members of the Authorities in the 10 years since they were formed.

The online conference will focus on the achievements of the IFCAs over the past 10 years and the key issues and opportunities for the management of inshore fisheries and conservation in England.

Speakers to accompany Tony Tomlinson MBE, Chairman of the Association of IFCAs will include

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Farming, Fisheries and Food, Victoria Prentis MP with keynote presentations from commercial fisherman, TV, film, radio and print writer, Nick Fisher and marine & coastal specialist and Marine Conservation Society Trustee, Emily Cunningham.

Findings from a survey of members will be presented by Robert Clark, Chief Officer of the Association of IFCAs.

In just one decade, the 10 regional IFCAs have transformed the way inshore fisheries are managed. They have led, championed and managed inshore fisheries to support and protect the inshore marine environment and inshore fisheries. IFCAs have developed and enhanced inshore fisheries and implemented a well-managed blue belt of marine protected areas around our coast.

For 10 years the IFCAs have brought together representatives from the local communities around the English coast, including the constituent local authorities along with people from across the different sectors that use or are knowledgeable about the inshore marine area, such as commercial and recreational fishermen, environmental groups and marine researchers. The unique constitution of IFCAs means that local communities are at the forefront of the decisions to support inshore fisheries in all of its forms and achieve balance between fisheries activities and marine environment protection.

Now is a period of significant change as the UK takes on full responsibilities of a totally independent coastal state. Protecting, enhancing and restoring our coastal seas, and the fisheries and communities that rely upon them for their work and recreation, have never been so important.

The event will reflect on the journey taken by the IFCAs and A-IFCA to date and how, as local communities, they will rise to challenges over the next ten years. Aspirations are high for our marine environment, our fisheries and our coastal communities. The event will focus on the importance of local communities coming together through the IFCAs and how, by working with partners and each other, each IFCA will achieve its aims together.