Guidance

Regional Fisheries Groups

Regional Fisheries Groups (RFGs) are a way for the fishing industry to come together to share views with organisations such as the MMO, Defra, Cefas, and IFCA.

• From: Marine Management Organisation
• Published: 25 August 2021
• Last updated: 14 March 2024 — See all updates

What are Regional Fisheries Groups?

There are five Regional Fisheries Groups:

• North East - 4b

• North West - 7a

• South East 4c

• South - 7d

• South West - 7efg

Below you can find more information on RFG’s, including the dates of our next meetings and the notes from previous meetings, relevant to each region.

Contact Details

If you would like to attend a Regional Fisheries Group meeting, comment on previous minutes or contribute in any other way please contact the MMO Regional fisheries Mailbox: regionalfisheriesgroups@marinemanagement.org.uk

Who to contact in the MMO

PDF, 63 KB, 3 pages

Newsletter

Winter 2024 edition

RFG Newsletters Winter 2024

Autumn 2023 edition

RFG Newsletters Autumn 2023

Summer 2023 edition

RFG Newsletters Summer 2023

Winter 2022 edition

RFG Newsletter Winter 2022

PDF, 855 KB, 4 pages

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Autumn 2022 edition

RFG Newsletter Autumn 2022

PDF, 775 KB, 2 pages

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Where did RFGs originate?

These groups exist to give local fishers a chance to be part of the decision-making process for managing fisheries and share their expertise.

In December 2020, Defra and the MMO organised a workshop for the inshore fishing fleet. The aim of the workshop was to foster collaborative working and address regionally specific issues.

Participants at the workshop discussed cross-sector working, identified priorities, and shared their preferences for local areas. By the end of the meeting, there was agreement on the concept of Regional Fisheries Groups and the approach.

Aim of the RFGs

Our aim is to give a formal route for fishers to share their views and experience in decisions affecting their livelihoods. We want to build stronger working relationships between people who regulate the industry and the fishing community. By doing this, everyone involved in fisheries management can have a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the fishing industry regionally.

RFGs will do this by…

• Providing a formal method of engagement predominantly for inshore fishers and others who may feel they are not represented by a wider national group.
• Building more collaborative and trusting working relationships between policy makers, regulators, and the fishing sector at a regional level, and recognising the knowledge they hold.
• Giving industry an active role in regional fisheries management decision making and provide an opportunity for them to influence regional decisions.
• Working together to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing the industry at a regional level so the government can help them to take advantage of opportunities for the future of the industry.

Engagement

• Formal meetings are held up to three times a year.
• The RFG team visit ports and fishing locations in person encouraging one to one conversations with fishers.
• The RFG team is available during the working hours of 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday to answer calls, texts or emails.

If you’re interested in attending an RFG meeting or contributing in any other way, contact the team at: regionalfisheriesgroups@marinemanagement.org.uk

Additional Information

• Meet the team

• Future of our Inshore Fisheries

• Terms of Reference

Useful links

• Catch Recording – 0300 0203 788

• IVMS – 01900 508618

• Fishing Vessel Licensing - fishingvessellicensing@marinemanagement.org.uk

• Monthly catch limits - InshoreQuotaManager@marinemanagement.org.uk

• Funding – 0208 026 5539

The MMO is working with Cefas and other organisations to develop a scientific investigation into the impacts increased fishing in Lyme Bay is having on sole populations, the marine environment, and the potential socio-economic impacts on fishers. This work involves the use of MMO data from logbooks, the Catch App and from observers, to analyse catches as well as other possible work to look at the wider sole population.

Published 25 August 2021
Last updated 14 March 2024 + show all updates

1. 14 March 2024

   Video added of what are regional fisheries groups

2. 9 February 2024

   RFG Newsletters Winter 2024 editions published.

3. 1 December 2023

   Linked to winter edition newsletters added.

4. 25 July 2023

   Added anonymous reporting form

5. 30 June 2023

   Update of page content to improve quality of information and accessibility .

6. 8 March 2023

   RFG Newsletter Winter 2022 published.

7. 4 January 2023

   Lyme Bay Social Findings

8. 15 December 2022

   Regional Fisheries Groups Winter 2022 Newsletter published.

9. 27 October 2022

   Update with meet the team

10. 10 October 2022

    Code of Conduct - update

11. 12 July 2022

    Updated

12. 21 March 2022

    Page updated with 4b & 7a meeting notes

13. 24 January 2022

    updated RFG group minutes

14. 7 January 2022

    South Update

15. 4 January 2022

    Page updated with RFG Meeting Notes North East 16.11.2021

16. 8 December 2021

    NW notes

17. 25 November 2021

    Update

18. 5 October 2021

    Update

19. 25 August 2021

    First published.