Our Position Statements and Policies

Welcome to our position statements and policies page

The Institute is working on a number of new position statements and these will be released and circulated in due course. If members have any subjects they feel the Institute should be working on please do get in touch.

The Institute’s Environmental Policy can be found here

 

Atlantic Salmon in Crisis

We are deeply concerned about the state of the Atlantic salmon and its potential fate.  On its current trajectory there is a real risk it could become extinct in some of our rivers, especially in the south, within  20 years.

Read more about our work to conserve and protect salmon on our dedicated Salmon Page 

Current Position Statements

 

The following policies are currently in the process of being revised

  • Run-of-River Hydropower
  • Sustainable Fisheries Management in Estuaries
  • Sustainable Management of Sea bass

Consultation Responses

Beavers in England

The Institute was very pleased to be asked by the Beaver Trust to join the Steering Group working on proposals for an English Beaver Strategy. We were the only fishery organisation on the Steering Group which included  the NFU, RSPB, Mammal Society, CLA and others. Following the consultation process the final strategy was agreed and sent to Defra and Natural England on 17th August 2020

On review of the final document, and the proposals within it, the Institute decided not to sign on to the strategy.

Our response to the Beaver Trust on the proposals is below

The Institute of Fisheries Management was very pleased to be asked to join the Steering Group as it is of the utmost importance that fisheries and angling groups are fully represented in this key strategic process. Whilst we recognise that there are many environmental benefits arising from having beavers on river catchments there are still hurdles to overcome, not least the significant impacts on migratory fish, especially the Atlantic salmon which is currently at grave risk across the British Isles. We would therefore like to see more focussed research on beaver/fish interactions in a UK context before populations are allowed to expand across the UK. We will be pleased to continue working with the Beaver Trust to continue this consultative process.

The full strategy document can be read here

The associated press release is here

You can find our Position Statement on the reintroduction of the European beaver on the left hand side of this page

Joint Fisheries Conservation NGO Position Statement on Eurasian Beaver Reintroduction into England and Wales.

The Institute has joined with a number of other fishery NGO’s to call for more research into the interaction between beavers and fish and fisheries and the potential impacts on migratory fish. This follows on from the Cowx review into the same issues.

You can read the Position Statement here

The Cowx review can be read here


Over the past few years the Institute has responded on the following consultations. If you would like to read any of the responses please get in touch

  • Hinckley C appeal for fish screening
  • Response to the North East Coast Net Limitation Order Review
  • Potential extension to the Yorkshire and North East Sea coastal trout netting season
  • Net Fishing Management for Estuaries, Harbours and Piers in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
  • Sussex IFCA Consultation on Near-Shore Trawling
  • Sussex IFCA Consultation on Near-Shore Netting
  • Managing Salmon Fisheries in England and the Border Esk (EA Response)
  • Managing Salmon Fisheries in England and the Border Esk (EA Response) Part 2 Q7-11
  • Response from the Institute of Fisheries Management to the Government’s ‘A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment’
  • Institute of Fisheries Management response to the Welsh Government (WG) consultation on the draft Welsh National Marine Plan (WNMP)

Wildlife and Countryside Link

The Institute is an active member of Wildlife and Countryside Link and its Blueprint for Water sub group

Wildlife and Countryside Link (Link) is the largest environment and wildlife coalition in England, bringing together 69 organisations to use their strong joint voice for the protection of nature. Our members campaign to conserve, enhance and access our landscapes, animals, plants, habitats, rivers and seas. Together we have the support of over eight million people in the UK and directly protect over 750,000 hectares of land and 800 miles of coastline.

As a member of Link we benefit from the work that they do to make the government, and other related agencies, aware of the environment and any impacts their work may have on it.

We have added our name to a number of consultation responses, letters and policy documents generated through Link.

You can find the latest Link and Blueprint responses on their website 

 

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