An Inshore Fisheries Management Group for the Moray Firth

MORAY FIRTH FISHERIES SEMINAR

An Inshore Fisheries Management Group for the Moray Firth
2nd March 2007
Banff Springs Hotel, Banff

Meeting Report

1. Introduction

Individual fishermen, local representatives of fishing associations, scientific bodies, agencies and academic institutions with an interest in fisheries management interests and stock assessment attended the day long meeting on Friday 2nd March 2007 at the Banff Springs Hotel, Banff to discuss the Moray Firth Inshore Fisheries Management Group and stock assessment. The meeting was organised by the Moray Firth Partnership (MFP) and chaired by Moray Firth Partnership (MFP) Director Mike Comerford. The meeting was structured to allow plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.


2. Background

During 2004 a Moray Firth Fisheries Action Group (MF FAG) was set up under the auspices of MFP, with the funding support of The Fishermen’s Association Limited (FAL), the Scottish Whitefish Producers Association (SWFPA) and The Crown Estate.

The objective of the group was to maximise local economic, social and environmental benefits of sustainable fishing through working together. The call for a Fisheries Action Group came from the two successful seminars on inshore and salmon fisheries run by the Partnership in 2003. Both these were well supported by the fishing industry and both concluded that a Fisheries Action Group should be set up by the MFP to take action on key issues at a local, Moray Firth, level.

The MFP carried out a questionnaire consultation in 2004 with fishermen and fisheries interests that looked at priority issues. The MFP then went on to organise two meetings to look in detail at these priority issues (integrated fisheries management; seal management and stock assessment and restoration) and ways in which action could be taken. This information was compiled into a draft 5 year Action Plan and, at the request of the group, a feasibility study was undertaken in January 2005 on the draft Action Plan.

A further meeting discussed the proposed Inshore Fishery Management Groups (IFGs) and requested that the MFP should help secure local commitments to support the rapid implementation of IFG; broaden industry representation and facilitate discussions (the meeting on 2nd March 2007) to lay the background for a Moray Firth IFG.

The MFP is grateful to the following for funding this recent work; the Fishermen’s Association Limited, Scottish Whitefish Producers Association, Aberdeenshire Council, Moray Council, The Highland Council, HIE Moray and the Scottish Executive.


3. Purpose

The purpose of the seminar was:
· To advise the industry about IFGs and encourage their participation
· To discuss the structure of the Moray Firth IFG and composition of the groups
· To confirm the value of stock/current fishing activity as a priority exercise (identify what is to be managed)
· Initiate discussions on stock assessment and explore a partnership between fishermen, scientific bodies and other interests to inform the development of a collaborative stock assessment programme

The expected outcomes were:
· An increased awareness amongst the industry about the MF IFG (its function, structure and timescales) and the role the industry, and other interests, will play in it.
· An indication of the level of support from the industry for IFGs
· To agree scope and priorities for stock assessment in the Moray Firth
· To explore the practicalities of stock assessment; who could contribute, how much will it might cost, how might it be funded, timing and how it would contribute to the work of the IFG


4. Session One – Moray Firth Inshore Fisheries Group

Presentation: ‘Introduction to Inshore Fishery Group’ by Eamon Murphy, Scottish Executive.

This presentation introduced IFGs, outlined their geographical areas, function and structure and outlined the role of the industry and other interests. The full presentation is available here (224kb).

Delegates had been issued with a briefing pack from the Scottish Executive prior to the seminar (Appendix 1) 490kb.

Questions following this presentation are detailed in Appendix 2 (16.7kb).

Small Group Discussion – Moray Firth Inshore Management Group

Delegates addressed the following questions in small groups:

i) Discussion over representation on the executive, advisory & stakeholder groups
ii) Advantages to getting involved with the IFG
iii) Barriers to getting involved?
iv) Possible solutions?
v) Top 3 priorities for the Moray Firth Inshore Fisheries Management Group once set up
vi) Ways to inform the fishing industry about the Moray Firth Inshore Fisheries Management Group.

The results of small group discussion 1 are in Appendix 3.

 
5. Session Two – Stock Assessment

Presentation: ‘What stock information exists and identifying the gaps?’ by Ann McLay, Fisheries Research Services.

This presentation covered the importance of stock assessment, what had already been done; key gaps and how local fishermen could help. The full presentation is available here (pdf 2.4MB). 

Presentation: ‘How fishermen can contribute to stock assessment; a case study’ by Ian Gatt, Scottish White Fish Producers Association.

This presentation gave a description of a Science Industry Partnership project assessing stocks of monkfish around Scotland. It outlined some of the challenges of the project but also the real progress that had been made using this partnership approach to stock assessment. The full presentation is available here.


Small Group Discussion - stock assessment

Delegates addressed the following questions in small groups;

(i) Management issues most in need of stock assessment data
(ii) Current gaps in stock assessment
(iii) How the Moray Firth Inshore Fisheries management Group should progress stock assessment
(iv) Priorities
(iv) Cost
(v) Potential funders
(vi) Who should be involved?
(vii) Next steps

The results of small group discussion 2 are in Appendix 4 (43kb).


6. Summary of Discussions and Workshop Outcomes

Mike Comerford briefly outlined the main points as follows:-

a) IFG’s The concept of IFG’s appeared to have broad support. For the Moray Firth IFG, the consensus view was that Salmon fishing interests should be represented on the Executive Committee, perhaps through the Association of District Salmon Fishery Boards. Other commercial fishing interests, such as Scallops, should also be included.
b) Wider Engagement The Executive committee should engage with wider stakeholder interests including the oil and gas industry, including Talisman, Nexen and British Gas
c) Role / Remit Further clarification from the Scottish Executive was required on the role and remit of the IFG’s, to ensure that these are enabled to get results, not just be talking shops.
d) Barriers to acceptance of IFG’s Wider acceptance of the IFG’s was being hampered by the lack of clarity over their role, and concerns over longer-term funding issues, including running the IFG’s and the very significant time and travel costs of the participating bodies.
e) Co-ordinator For the Moray Firth IFG, the job description for the new IFG co-ordinator should indicate that a scientific background was desirable.

Eamon Murphy summarised his position:-

f) The meeting and workshops organised by the Moray Firth Partnership had been very well organised, and the active participation of all the delegates had resulted in a stimulating day, a good debate and a lot of useful information emerging.
g) He felt that the conclusions from the groups had given him a mandate to continue with the early implementation of the Moray Firth IFG, for which the appointment of the co-ordinator was a crucial factor. A Shadow IFG group needed to be set up and meet as soon as possible.
h) Some of the work of the new IFG was already being done by local organisations, and other work was seen as additional, but not entirely new. This was supported by the experience of the Shadow Group already in operation for the Orkney area.


Delegate Vote re Support for Moray Firth IFG

Following a proposal by Roddy McColl, a show of hands indicated that the Scottish Executive indeed had a full mandate to take the next steps in setting up a Shadow Moray Firth IFG group and appointing a co-ordinator. Fourteen of the delegates present, which was a clear majorty, indicated their acceptance of the proposals. (Representatives of the Moray Firth Partnership and the Scottish Executive present did not take part in the vote).


7. The Next Steps

A- IFG
Based on the support shown by delegates, Eamon Murphy undertook to set up the Shadow Moray Firth IFG, and to liase with that group re the recruitment of the co-ordinator post. The aim was to advertise the post as soon as possible, within the next few weeks. The IFG Executive Committee itself would elect the Chair in due course.

B- Stock Assessment
Following a question by Lord Burton, Eamon Murphy undertook to establish whether any research was ongoing or planned into food supply chain issues for salmon and sea trout in particular, including sand eels. Also, whether reports by fishermen of finding similar worms in trout and herring were being investigated.

C- Future Role of Moray Firth Partnership
The Moray Firth Partnership’s role would be finished once the reporting of this meeting of the MF Fisheries Action Group was complete. However, subject to an approach by stakeholders, and funding being secured, the Partnership would be available to assist the new IFG and the Shadow IFG group or any fishery management issues not being considered by the IFG but relevant to the integrated management of the Firth.


8. Concluding Remarks, Mike Comerford, Director, Moray Firth Partnership

Mike thanked the speakers, workshop facilitators and all the delegates for their time and contributions to the event, and looked forward to seeing continued progress for the Moray Firth area. He also thanked the Banff Springs Hotel staff for their excellent service throughout the day.

List of Appendices

1  Scottish Executive issued IFG Briefing Pack

2  Session One Q & A

3  Discussion Session 1

4  Discussion Session 2

5  Delegate List