The Marine Directorate of Scotland is conducting an evaluation of the Regional Inshore Fisheries Groups (RIFGs) and is seeking input from individuals and organisations involved in the inshore fishing industry. 

The Marine Directorate is inviting the public, researchers and organisations involved in the inshore fishing industry in Scotland to share views on the 6 Scottish Regional Inshore Fisheries Groups (RIFGs). The views will be used to evaluate the RIFGs and will allow researchers to make recommendations on their future.

Credit: RIFG.Scot

RIFGs were established in 2009 with the purpose of giving inshore fishers a voice in inshore fisheries management. Each RIFG is chaired by an individual appointed by the Scottish Government, but the groups are independent of Government. There are 6 RIFGs in Scotland: North East, North West, South West, Orkney, Shetland, and Outer Hebrides. The network allows commercial fishers to have a forum to explore local fisheries management initiatives, ensuring fishing businesses of all sizes have a strong voice in matters that affect them. 

The survey will look into the impact of RIFGs, their remit and organisation, as well as the future. The survey is conducted by the Marine Analytical Unit, a group of social researchers, economists, and data analysts based in the Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government. An additional output will be to build a database of fishers who are willing to be contacted for occasional research conducted by the Marine Analytical Unit. 

The aim of the RIFGs is ‘to improve the sustainable management of inshore fisheries and to give commercial inshore fishers a voice in wider marine management developments’.

The closing date for the survey is 30th April 2024 and you can access the survey form here.