Inshore Fisheries Forums

Inshore Fisheries Forums

Established in May 2014 the National Inshore Fisheries Forum has been set up to facilitate the development of a coherent inshore sector voice, which enables fishermen to discuss their fishing issues and generate commonly supported initiatives. These are consultative forums whose members are representative of the inshore fisheries sector. This sector comprises of fishermen using boats of less than 12m in overall length and the objective of these forums is to encourage participation in the management of fisheries within six nautical miles off the coast.

The National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) is supported by a network of Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums (RIFFs). The NIFF provides a national platform at which each of the regional forums can interact with each other and with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. 

The Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums (RIFFs) provide formal engagement opportunities between inshore fishermen and other marine stakeholders. Each Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAGs) established a RIFF for its region. I members include both inshore fishermen, environmental interests, marine leisure, marine tourism and other marine stakeholders. Each RIFF compromises of no more than 12 members of which there is at least one fisheries representative from the corresponding FLAG and an environmental representative; and have nominated delegates to bring forward regional proposals to NIFF for wider industry discussion. 

The Inshore Fisheries Forums are financed under the Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme through Ireland’s EU Structural and Investment Funds Programme 2014-2020 and part financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The Inshore Fisheries Forums are facilitated by the statutory bodies responsible for marine fisheries in Ireland, namely Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Sea Fisheries Protection Agency and the Marine Institute. An Bord Iascaigh Mhara provides administrative support to the forums.

For more information from your local RIFF:

Contact

• North Riff 
  
• North West Riff
  
• West Riff
  
• South West Riff 
• South East Riff 
• North East Riff 

Please note as RIFFS meet approximately four times a year, it may take time to respond to a specific query which requires discussion.