Advisory Groups

Technical Advisory Group

The IFCAs Technical Advisory Group (TAG) promotes and facilitates communication, collaboration and coordination between IFCAs and other government organisations in relation to fisheries research and marine science.   The group meets three times a year and has a monthly email bulletin.  The Chair and Vice-Chair are elected from the IFCA representatives by the members of the Group and these positions are rotated evenly  between the IFCAs every 18 months.

To contact TAG, message the Association who will forward your message to the current Chair and Vice-Chair.

Aims

• To improve the quality and extent of fisheries management information through better coordination and dissemination of fisheries related scientific research.
• Define and apply best practice relating to the scientific and techincal functions responsibilities of IFCAs.
• To identify and facilitate joint working opportunities between member organisations.

Objectives

• To improve cooperation between all the bodies represented in the group and integrate individual IFCAs science strategies with relevant organisations plans and wider national and international policies.
• To help standardise research and technical practices between IFCAs and other relevant bodies so that information can be easily shared and analysed.
• To help disseminate key research and technical information between IFCAs and other relevant organisations, produce recommendations to inform decision makers within those organisations.
• To improve access to expert advice.
• Identify research topics of common interest to group members and facilitate collaboration with external organisations.
• Where appropriate, the group will seek to develop technical guidance on survey methodolgy taking account of best practice.
• Where appropriate the group will identify national training needs and facilitate their provision.
• Members will represent TAG at national and international technical working groups and meetings.
• Where appropriate the TAG will seek to identify and access external funds to further the research objectives identified by the group

Members

Environment Agency

Marine Management Organisation

CEFAS

Welsh Government

States of Jersey

National Inshore Marine Enforcement Group (NIMEG)

Purpose

The purpose of the group is to bring together expertise in the field of regulation and enforcement within inshore fisheries and marine conservation in order to develop and support joint working and consistency; identify and share best practice; and to promote professionalism and competence.

Membership

Officers who hold a decision-making mandate with operational responsibility for regulation and enforcement from the following organisations:

• Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA)
• Environment Agency (EA)
• Marine Management Organisation (MMO)

Associate Membership

IFCO boarding

Other relevant organisations may be invited to join the group where it is considered to be appropriate. Officers from organisations with a function that is analogous to those of the core membership will have a standing invitation to attend all NIMEG meetings. This includes the following organisations:

• Defra
• Channel Islands State Fisheries Departments (Guernsey & Jersey)
• Isle of Man Fisheries Department
• Marine and Fisheries Division, Welsh Government
• Marine & Fisheries Division, DAERA Northern Island
• Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)
• Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (AIFCA)
• Natural England (NE)

Function

Notwithstanding the generality of the purpose of the group, its functions will include:

• Promoting joint working at national, regional and local levels
• Developing and implementing, where appropriate, national policy, process and procedure based upon best practice
• Promoting consistency in regulation across jurisdictional boundaries
• Identification of training and development needs for constituent organisations
• Implementation of training strategies
• The group will also provide a forum to debate relevant issues of national importance and will act in an advisory capacity to the IFCA Chief Officer Group on all matters associated with regulation and enforcement.