England and Wales under 10m news - now it's over to you to manage your fish quotas!

If DEFRA proposals are given the go ahead then there will be major changes to the way <10m fishermen operate from next year including managing their own fish quotas.

Jerry Percy, Chief Executive to the New Under Tens Fishermen’s Association, (NUTFA) the representative body for inshore fishermen in England and Wales said, “NUTFA are committed to ensuring that fishermen around the coast, whether over or under ten, members or otherwise are fully informed of the proposals and have a chance to respond. We are touring the main ports (itinerary below) to speak with fishermen in this respect. Each venue will open at 2pm and fishermen, under and over ten, members or not, are invited to drop in to discuss the proposals with NUTFA staff and then contribute to a larger debate at 6pm."
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“It is absolutely vital that fishermen attend their local venue and contribute to the report that NUTFA will present to Government at the conclusion of the consultation. The DEFRA proposals will change the way that fishermen operate and they must have their say, it’s their future.” Defra will also provide staff at most of the meetings to answer specific questions.

The Dates and Venues (All 2pm – 8pm) are:


· Thursday 26th May – Thurrock: The Village Hall, High Street, Aveley,
· Friday 27th May- Aldeburgh: The Church Hall, next to Aldeburgh's St Peter and Paul Church, Victoria Road, Aldeburgh, Suffolk
· Tuesday 31st May – Amble: Fourways2, 6 Dilston Terrace, Amble, NE65 0DT
· Wednesday 1st June – Hartlepool: Borough Hall, Constables Lounge, The Headland, Hartlepool
· Thursday 2nd June – Scarborough: Scarborough Sea Cadets HQ, East Sandgate, Scarborough Sea Front, (adjacent to the ‘Newcastle Packet’)
· Friday 3rd June – Wells Next the Sea The Golden Fleece, The Quay, Wells next the Sea
· Monday 6th June – Padstow: National Lobster Hatchery, South Quay, Padstow, PL28 8BL
· Tuesday 7th June – Newlyn: Fishermen’s Mission, Ship Institute, North Pier, Newlyn, Penzance TR18 5JB
· Wednesday 8th June – Mevagissey: Mevagissey Social Club, Jetty Street, Mevagissey, St Austell, PL26 6UH
· Thursday 9th June – Plymouth: Plymouth Fish Market Auction Room
· Friday 10th June – Seaton: Seaton Social Club @ Wilstons, Beach Road, Seaton, Devon EX12 2LZ
· Monday 20th June – Hastings: East Hastings Sea Angling Association, The Stade, Hastings
· Tuesday 21st June – Shoreham (Venue to be confirmed)
· Wednesday 22nd June – Poole: Arndale Court Hotel, 62-66 Wimborne Road, Poole BH15 2BY
· Thursday 23rd June – Whitehaven (venue to be confirmed)
· Friday 24th June – Blackpool (Venue to be confirmed)