Happy New Year Dave. North Eastern IFCA, the biggest from South of the Tyne down into Lincolnshire has had no RSA representation for 2 years despite numerous adverts. Northumberland at the moment has a charter skipper from Berwick, a boat and former shore angler from Cramlington and myself. I have completed my 4 year term and will have to re apply and take my chances along with 6 others on NIFCA. The balance at the moment is very good on NIFCA, go to the website, About, past the members list and click on members profiles this opens another page click on the smaller of the 2 members profiles and it will open a PDF and all will be revealed, this long way around will be fixed shortly. The light MMO touch is a very long story and not what it appears. Regarding the news letter the last being November if you did not get that I will chase it up. I have also asked that we save past Newsletters on the NIFCA website as a result of your post. Give me a ring if you want a more detailed explanation as to why we have all had to re apply in an open competition.
Regarding balance, it is required as we are a byelaw making authority, so if it had just scientist and conservation representation, I guess we might have byelaws biassed to that way of thinking. for instance on the recent byelaw review and now in consultation and hopefully law in April this year, a clause to allow the use of edible crab as bait by rod and line anglers (Cart) We have the second tranche of MCZs and Coquet to St Mary will be in that and management measure will be discussed.
I have instigated a scientific survey in Druridge Bay as I believe it is a Turbot and Bass nursery area in an attempt to restrict some of the very close in trawling as seen last year , list goes on. You have to be in it to win it.
