Natural England meets The Wash fishing community
19 July 2010
Members of The Wash inshore fishing community are to meet with Natural England directors to explore how Natural England and the fisheries sector can work more closely together on 19-20 July.
Natural England’s Marine Director, James Marsden along with East Midlands Regional Director Maddy Jago, will meet with fisheries representatives at King’s Lynn and Boston, to discuss sustainable fishing practices and plans for designation of new Natura 2000 (N2K) sites and Marine Conservation Zones.
James Marsden said: “It is essential for us to get out and talk with the people who are at the sharp end of this industry. King’s Lynn and Boston are renowned for their long association with the fishing industry and I wanted to visit both areas to personally meet the people who work in the industry, learn more about what they do and listen to their views.
“Meeting local fishermen and fish processors, and following the journey that the catch makes from ‘net to plate’, helps us appreciate the issues that fishermen around The Wash face and build a better understanding with the industry.”
Natural England Marine Specialist in the East Midlands, Conor Donnelly, said: “This is a great opportunity for the local fishing industry to meet with our marine director to explain the issues they face and ask questions about Natural England’s plans and concerns for the future of the inshore fishing fleet and surrounding industries.”
Net to Plate’ is one of a series of events taking place around the country. Natural England will meet with representatives from Kings Lynn Fishing Industry Cooperative Limited, Boston & District Fishermen’s Association, Roy Brewster Shellfish, Greater Wash Fishing Industry Association, Brancaster Staithe Fishermen’s Society, John Lake Shellfish, Lynn Shellfish and Danni Seafood.
England has some of the finest marine wildlife in Europe, with dramatic underwater habitats and landscapes, and over 10,000 types of plant and animal. Natural England wants to work with the fishing industry to help deliver a sustainable future for both the marine environment and fishing communities.
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Notes to editors:
For further information, please email Charlene Kumar, Natural England Communications Adviser, or call 0300 060 2828 or 07747761210.
About Natura 2000 (N2K) sites
Natural England, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Countryside Council for Wales have undertaken a formal consultation on 10 possible marine Special Areas of Conservation and 2 potential Special Protection Areas in English, Welsh and offshore waters around the UK. Find out more here.
About Marine Conservation Zones
The Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009) created a new type of Marine Protected Area (MPA), called a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) and is intended to protect nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology.
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
