Information Bulletin
14 March 2005
Shetland Keen to take the Lead in Inshore Fisheries Forum
A call to create a North Sea Inshore Fisheries Forum was one of the main outcomes of a recent international conference and Shetland is keen to be at the forefront.
The conference, held in Ringkøbing, Denmark and attended by representatives from SIC, NAFC, Shetland-based environmental body KIMO and local MSP Tavish Scott, focussed on the current environmental challenges within the North Sea’s coastal zone and debated the future management of coastal areas. Individual workshops on the environment, regional development and fisheries generated ideas for programmes for action which will form the basis for the North Sea Commission’s future work.
The establishment of an Inshore Fisheries Forum under the North Sea Commission umbrella is regarded as important in increasing awareness of coastal fisheries and in playing an integral part in integrated coastal zone management strategies. Shetland is keen to take the lead in this forum and a meeting in early April will discuss the remit of this group and its representation. The hope is that the administration of the proposed forum would be based at the NAFC. It is anticipated that such a forum would work in conjunction with the Regional Advisory Council’s (RAC’s) in order to bring together inshore and offshore fisheries.
Speaking at the conference, MSP Tavish Scott said "Inshore fisheries are of course very important to Scotland's coastal communities, and are particularly important to Scotland's island communities. It is therefore vital that we get the management of these fisheries right, developing workable management regimes which, by sustaining the fisheries, also sustain the communities that depend on them."
Also speaking at the conference were Dr Ian Napier of NAFC who gave a presentation on Shetland’s experience of local fisheries management through the creation of the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation, and John Mouat who presented KIMO’s proposals on why the EU should adopt a proactive stance in maritime safety legislation.
Other highlights of the conference were the threats to the environment caused by climate change and the need to start dealing with the effects, the need for more flexible management strategies and increased involvement of stakeholders to resolve conflicts, and also a need to increase the visibility of the North Sea region.
The conference was organised by the North Sea Commission, one of the six geographical commissions of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR). It’s focus is to facilitate and enhance partnerships between regions which manage the challenges and opportunities presented by the North Sea.
ENDS
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