SFSA / SACN / Scottish Exec - IFGs

[seaside]

On , fisheries , you – and in particular Ian – stressed the importance of healthy fish stocks for the future of RSA. We set out how the new Inshore Fisheries Groups will function, stressing in particular the overall purpose of encouraging local discussion and decision-making.

 

We explained that part of the structure will be a formal requirement on IFGs to consult key stakeholders, including, explicitly, sea anglers.

 

The Executive would expect to see evidence of this participation as management proposals are taken forward. We explained that this issue could be looked at in the context of the review of the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group, which is underway and to which we invited you to contribute (as you know the contact here is Rob Roberts).

 

From our point of view, the key will be to make the new structures work locally (starting with the IFGs in the south east and Western Isles), with sea anglers demonstrating that they are important players who can and should make contributions to local plans.

 

The part we feel that is missing here is the process by which IFGs will consult, but that may become clearer when we follow it up. Either which way, the door has been opened and we need to step up --- volunteers needed for the South East and Western Isles - please email or pm me.