Inshore fisheries – a sustainable future

We're thrilled to welcome speakers Jenny Mouat, Chair of the North and East Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group, Lawrie McFarlane, Belhaven Lobster and Nick Underdown from Open Seas for our next conservation forum. The aim of this FREE event is to give people a better understanding of the importance and management of fisheries in the East Coast of Scotland, what’s required to make them more sustainable and how to make sustainable food choices.

Each of the speakers will set out their position and this will be followed by an audience Q&A facilitated by our CEO, Susan Davies. Topics for discussion will include:

• how inshore fisheries are structured and managed in Scotland and the importance of fish stocks to Scotland's economy and communities
• how fish stock numbers are monitored and the key changes seen over the last 50 years
• the changing history of fisheries in the Firth of Forth
• the conservation perspective on inshore fisheries and the changes being sought to better protect marine protected sites and nature
• information to guide people on how to source sustainable fish and make sustainable choices

Speakers include:

Jennifer Mouat, Chair for the North & East Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group. The Regional Inshore Fisheries Groups (RIFGs) aim to improve the management of inshore fisheries in the 0-6 nautical mile zone of Scottish waters, and to give commercial inshore fishermen a strong voice in wider marine management developments.

Lawrie McFarlane, owner of Belhaven Lobster a family run shellfish business selling sustainably caught lobsters and brown crab to both the public and commercial customers. They put a great emphasis on ensuring that they limit the impact they have upon the marine environment and aim to maintain lobster stocks for the future.

Nick Underdown, Head of Communications and Campaigns at Open Seas, a Scottish charity undertaking research, investigations and campaigns to recover the health of our seas and promote sustainable seafood.

The event will be hosted by Susan Davies, CEO of the Scottish Seabird Centre.

This is a FREE in person event to be held in the Scottish Seabird Centre.

Spaces are limited and tickets must be booked in advance.

All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Header and listing image copyright Belhaven Lobster.