ÿþ<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> <title>Northumberland Inshore Fisheries &amp; Conservation Authority (NIFCA)</title> <style type="text/css"> <!-- body { margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .style1 { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; } .style2 { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #FFFFFF; } .style3 {font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12px; } a:link { color: #000000; } a:visited { color: #000000; } a:hover { color: #000000; } a:active { color: #000000; } .style4 {font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif} .style5 {font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; } --> </style></head> <body> <table width="950" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td><img src="header9.jpg" alt="NIFCA" width="951" height="187" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="72" background="button_bar.jpg"><table width="950" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="10"><span class="style1"><img src="button_bar.jpg" alt="spacer" width="11" height="86" /></span></td> <td width="940" class="style2">News</td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="style1"><a href="Index.html">Home</a> | <a href="about.html">About</a> | <a href="limits.html">Limits of the District</a> | <a href="data.html">Data Protection</a> | <a href="constitution.html">Constitution</a> | <a href="structure.html">Structure</a> | <a href="byelaws.html">Byelaws</a> | <a href="publications.html">Publications</a> | <a href="penalties.html">Penalties</a> | <a href="news.html">news</a> |<a href="faqs.html"> FAQs</a> | <a href="policystatements.html">Policy Statements</a> | <a href="annualplan.html">Annual Plan </a></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td background="footer.jpg">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <HTML> <BODY LINK="#293868" DIR="LTR"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"></span></u></b>&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">NEWS Updated 11 October &nbsp;2011</span></u></b></p> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"> <?xml namespace="" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" prefix="o" ?><?xml namespace="" prefix="O" ?><o:p></o:p></span></u></b> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: verdana"> HAVE YOU SEEN A CHINESE MITTEN CRAB?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> <?xml namespace="" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" prefix="o" ?> <o:p></o:p> </span></b> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family: Arial"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> </span></b> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: verdana">Scientists from a number of UK research institutes are calling for the public to become nature detectives this autumn to better understand the full extent of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Chinese mitten crab invasion</b> and the threat these crustaceans pose to our rivers and waterways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Anglers, waterway workers, boating enthusiasts and other nature lovers are being asked to identify and record any sightings of this alien species featuring in the international list of the world s 100 worst invasive species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>These crabs damage fishing gear and in unprotected river banks can block water systems as well as compete with native species for food and habitat.<a name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> <span style="font-family: Arial"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: verdana">Researchers are particularly interested in any sightings from the Tyne (amongst other rivers) and as part of that river is in the district of the Authority, we would be happy to receive and forward details of any such sightings onto the University of Newcastle which is one of the UK research institutes involved in this project.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"> &nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">INSHORE FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES<?xml namespace="" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" prefix="o" ?><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Inshore fisheries management in <?xml namespace="" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" ?><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>is England is the primary responsibility of the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> &nbsp; &nbsp; </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 provided for reform of inshore fisheries management and the protection of the marine environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>IFCAs were established in April 2011 (replacing former Sea Fisheries Committees) and have an expanded remit to  lead, champion and manage a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries, by successfully securing the right balance between social, environmental and economic benefits to ensure healthy<a name="_GoBack"></a> seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable industry .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The duties and powers of the IFCAs are set out in sections 153 to 158 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> &nbsp; &nbsp; </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">There are ten IFCAs that are either committees or joint committees of the local authorities that fall within their district.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They are made up of representatives from the constituent local authorities (that provide funding for the IFCA) along with people appointed by the Marine Management Organisation who have been appointed from across the different sectors that use or are knowledgeable about the inshore marine area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This includes commercial and recreational fishermen, environmental groups and marine researchers, who offer their time voluntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> &nbsp; &nbsp; </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">The Marine Management Organisation, Environment Agency and Naturall <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> each have a statutory seat on each IFCA.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <br /> </span><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana"> NORTHUMBERLAND INSHORE FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (&ldquo;NIFCA&rdquo;)</span></u></strong><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm"> Northumberland Inshore Fisheries &amp; Conservation Authority is now established under the provisions of the Marine &amp; Coastal Access Act 2009 part VI.</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm"> The Northumberland IFCA members are detailed at page 11 above.</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm"> Staff of the Sea Fisheries Committee transferred to the IFCA on 1 April 2011.</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm"> Further details of the IFCA can be obtained from the Northumberland IFCA office.</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm"> Tel 01670 731 399. Email <a href="mailto:nifca@nifca.gov.uk"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: FR">nifca@nifca.gov.uk</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm 0pt"> <strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana">MARINE CONSERVATION ZONES</span></u></strong><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm; text-align: justify"> Northumberland IFCA is a participant in the Net Gain project to establish Marine Conservation Zones in the North Sea and particularly in respect of Marine Conservation Zones in the district of Northumberland IFCA. Please contact the Authority office on 01670 731399 or by email <a href="mailto:nifca.@nifca.gov.uk"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana">nifca.@nifca.gov.uk</span></a> for further information.</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm 0pt"> <strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana">COMMON FISHERIES POLICY</span></u></strong><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm"> There continues to be much debate about reform of the CFP, which is due to be implemented next year. In particular, there is great interest in reforming the EU policy on discards. The present policy is widely regarded as being broken and leading to a great waste of resources and we hope that a more effective system can be introduced although the situation is complex with differing views on the best way forward. Prior to NIFCA, Northumberland Sea Fisheries Committee also took an active interest in this subject and it is one that the Northumberland IFCA will continue to monitor.</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> <strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana">MEETINGS WITH FISHERMEN AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN 2010</span></u></strong><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm 0pt"> The Chief Executive, Chief Fishery Officer (Operations) and Environmental Fishery Officer of the Sea Fisheries Committee held a series of meetings with fishermen along the Northumberland coast in 2010 to give an update on the work of the committee, including the transition to Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority status. In total over 40 fishermen attended these meetings which were held in the evening at Tynemouth, Amble and Seahouses, when there were also questions from the floor. Similar meetings with fishermen and stakeholders will be arranged as soon as possible by the IFCA<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana">.</span></strong><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </span> </p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> <strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana">RECENT PROSECUTIONS 2011<o:p></o:p></span></u></strong></p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; tab-stops: 12.0cm"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana;"> Prosecution of Christopher Redford Armstrong at North Tyneside Magistrates Court on Friday 9 September 2011 for landing 7 undersized lobsters at Blyth South Harbour in Northumberland on 3 March 2011.<?xml namespace="" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" prefix="o" ?><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; tab-stops: 12.0cm"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> &nbsp; </span></b> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; tab-stops: 12.0cm"> <span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: verdana;">The above offence was detected during a joint patrol by officers (IFCOs) from Northumberland Inshore Fisheries &amp; Conservation Authority (IFCA) and a Marine Enforcement Officer from the Marine Management Organisation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>During that patrol Mr. Armstrong was found to have landed 7 lobsters which were undersized from his total catch of 21 lobsters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>When this was put to him in interview Mr. Armstrong said he  took his tinted glasses with him that day .<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; tab-stops: 12.0cm"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> &nbsp; </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; tab-stops: 12.0cm"> <span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: verdana;">At court on 9 September Mr. Noel Dilks for Northumberland IFCA explained to the bench that the legal minimum landing size of 87 mm is in place to help conserve stocks and that under the Marine &amp; Coastal Access Act 2009 the Northumberland Sea Fisheries Committee had become Northumberland IFCA on 1 April 2011, at which point the level of fines which could be imposed had increased from £5,000 to £50,000 reflecting the seriousness of the offence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; tab-stops: 12.0cm"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> &nbsp; </span> </p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> <span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: verdana;">Mr. Armstrong made a full admission and assured the court it would never happen again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He was fined £120 for the offence and ordered to pay solicitor s full costs of £400 + VAT and officers costs of £200 making a total of £800.</span><a name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify; font-size: 10pt;"> &nbsp;</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> Prosecution by Northumberland Inshore Fisheries &amp; Conservation Authority came before <b><u>Berwick Magistrates Court</u></b> on 8 April 2011 when John Christopher Reid from Berwick upon Tweed pleaded guilty to landing 11 undersized lobsters and was given a conditional discharge, and ordered to pay a contribution of £100 towards contribution costs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>These offences were detected by fishery officers during landing inspections at Berwick upon Tweed on 16 August 2010 when the lobsters were found in a van heading delivery to wholesalers in Berwick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> </p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> </p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> Three prosecutions by Northumberland Sea Fisheries Committee <b><u>came before North Tyneside Magistrate&rsquo;s Court on Friday, 28 January 2011.<o:p></o:p></u></b></p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm; text-align: justify"> Darren Wood from Silky&rsquo;s Lane, North Shields pleaded guilty to landing 16 undersized lobsters and also to landing more than one lobster without the necessary permit. These offences were detected by Fishery Officers at St Mary&rsquo;s Lighthouse, Whitley Bay on 12 August. The minimum landing size for lobsters is 87 mm and several of the lobsters were below 50 mm in size. Taking such small lobsters is damaging to maintenance of the stock and Mr Wood was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay prosecution costs of &pound;300.</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm; text-align: justify"> The Court also heard the case of Alan Martin of Norham Close, Blyth who on Saturday, 11 September 2010 was found by Fishery Officers coming off the rocks at Seaton Sluice. When he was first noticed he was carrying 2 bags but by the time he reached the car park he only had one and upon carrying out a search Chief Fishery Officer (Operations) Alastair Browne found a nylon bag hidden in bushes containing 2 lobsters. When he was questioned by the officer Mr Martin confirmed they were his lobsters and he duly came before the Court for landing more than one lobster without a permit and also for landing an undersized lobster. Mr Martin had also received a written warning from a Fishery Officer on 12 August 2010 for landing 3 lobsters. Following his guilty plea Mr Martin was fined &pound;100 for each offence and ordered to pay costs of &pound;300 + &pound;15 victim surcharge.</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm"> Also appearing before the Court was Mr Lawrence Brown of North View, Bedlington who pleaded guilty to landing more than one lobster without a permit and also landing 4 undersized lobsters measuring between 76 mm and 80 mm. This offence was detected by Officers on 19 September when the defendant was seen pushing a trolley along the pontoon at Amble Marina containing fishing gear. Fishery Officers asked Mr Brown if he had any shellfish to which he replied &ldquo;they are in the bucket&rdquo; but one of the Officers inspected the bucket and within it was a plastic bag containing 4 undersized lobsters. One of these also had a mutilated tail. At court Mr Brown was fined &pound;50 per offence and also ordered to pay costs of &pound;300 and &pound;15 victim surcharge. </p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm"> In all of the above cases where possible any live lobsters were returned to the sea by the Fishery Officers.</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm"> Chief Officer Browne said &ldquo;it is very important that undersized lobsters are not taken from the sea and that people who do not have a permit from the Committee office do not take more than 1 lobster per day&rdquo;.</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: auto 0cm 0pt"> Further information about lobster and other shellfish in the Northumberland District can be found on the Northumberland IFCA website <a href="http://www.nifca.gov.uk/"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana">www.nifca.gov.uk</span></a>. Telephone 01670 731 399.</p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </span> </p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> <b><u>DATES OF FORTHCOMING MEETINGS</u></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p>&nbsp;</o:p> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </span> </p> <p class="style5" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"> <b><u>2012 Quarterly Meetings</u></b> <b><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b> </p> <p class="style5">Tuesday 24 January 2012<br/> Tuesday 24 April 2012<br/> Tuesday 24 July 2012<br/> Tuesday 23 October 2012 </p> <p class="style5">&nbsp;</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td background="footer.jpg"><p><img src="footer.jpg" alt="footer" width="18" height="186" align="left" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="style3">Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority<br /> Unit 60B, South Nelson Road, Cramlington, Northumberland. NE23 1WF<br /> T: (01670 731 399 F: (01670 731639) E: <a href="mailto:nifca@nifca.gov.uk">nifca@nifca.gov.uk</a> </p> </td> </tr> </table> </body> </html>