Mull Aquaculture and Fisheries Association (MAFA)

Annual General Meeting

Monday 9^th February 2009 , Craignure Hall

DRAFT MINUTES

Present Douglas Wilson (Chair), Nick Turnbull (Secretary/Treasurer), committee—A Durie , S. Paterson A. Mackie, S. Davies, N. Mawhinney

In Attendance-- Rob Roberts and Katriona Gillespie (Scottish Marine Directorate) and around 25 members and associate members.

Douglas welcomed members and gave a brief background to the setting up of MAFA. He then introduced Rob Roberts from Scottish Marine Directorate who had been invited to the meeting to give the latest information on IFGs.

Rob outlined the developments and modifications that have taken place over the past 3 years which has led to the setting up of six pilot groups. Three of these have met; the group which takes in Mull is due to meet on 26^th March in Inverness. Each IFG has an Executive Committee, comprising representatives of eligible (i.e. that have members operating in the area) Fishing Associations and where one has been elected. A representative for fishermen not affiliated to an Association. Each IFG’s work is supported by an Advisory Group, made up of relevant bodies such as FRS, SFPA, SNH, Environment Link, aquaculture representatives etc.

Points and concerns raised as a result of questions and discussion:

The mapping of the areas – Mull is effectively split in two – the boundaries are based on seabed mapping. However it was explained that these were pilot or experimental IFGs and that the Marine Directorate would be happy to consider changes to the boundaries if it was felt these made sense.

IFGs have no statutory powers; their real strength comes from harnessing fishing industry expertise, the development of their “good offices” to initiate and effect improved management and giving fishermen a strong voice in wider marine policy developments, for example those changes brought in via the Marine Bill .

Election of the Chair of each group – Executive Committee must agree with the selection. It is likely that the Chair will not be paid, but will get expenses and may get basic remuneration (under consideration by the IFG National Coordinator). Co-ordinator / project officer paid through money funding the IFGs but at this point there is no allocation for expenses for Representatives (under consideration by the IFG National Coordinator). There was some discussion about where meetings will take place – for example the first meeting for the Mull group will be not as originally planned in Fort William, but in Inverness.

The suggestion that video conferencing might be a possibility was discussed and Nick asked Rob that he take this forward for consideration. Argyll and Bute Council advised that they may be able to make some facilities available.

Considerable concern was expressed about representation. If fishermen live, for example, on Mull but fished in other IFG areas eg Fife; how would there be a realistic dialogue between groups?

It was noted that it would be a huge financial burden on Associations to attempt to attend all the IFGs that their members may have an interest in. Also other IFG areas might not welcome the input from what maybe considered as “outside IFG reps.” Rob advised that IFGs were absolutely not “closed shops” and that representatives from all eligible FAs (plus a spokesperson for the non-affiliated) were entitled to participate in an IFG’s work. IFGs will work on the basis of dialogue, compromise and consensus, i.e. strength of argument not strength of numbers.

Some members felt that IFGs may in fact create divisions between fishing communities rather than empowering them which was the original concept. Rob Roberts was keen to stress that the Directorate genuinely believed that under good leadership the IFGs could achieve consensus and that there were positive improvements for fishing communities.

There was a wide ranging discussion about what happens in the case of an impasse – for example the larger Associations may not always consider the needs of the smaller local organisations. It was noted for example that the larger Associations tended to be represented on all the IFGs and that they would have the resources to push through their own agendas.

It was also noted that many of the issues needed clarification and it was stressed that these were pilot IFGs and therefore able to adapt as the needs arise.

There was some discussion on the forthcoming Marine Bill and its implications for aquaculture and fishing. The Bill is being introduced in the spring and should become an Act by the end of 2009.

There then followed a discussion on gear conflict. Rob Roberts has been closely involved with a number of meetings involving disputes and it was noted that the MAFA voluntary code has been used as a blueprint for at least one other area. There was a genuine feeling that there was a need to be able to identify boats towing in an area and that modern technology should be able to assist this. Concerns were raised that the Fishery Protection boat would not switch of its AIS system and that this allowed trawlers/dredgers always to know its whereabouts. Rob emphasised that these were SFPA operational matters and that he would raise the matter with SFPA HQ and with the Oban Office. SFPA have agreed to come to Mull for a meeting to resolve some of the issues and would contact Gregor MacKenzie to arrange

Katriona then gave information about Accreditation. Many buyers are pushing for this and seminars are available for those who wish to find out more. Accreditation can help sellers get a premium price and, importantly, secure market position especially as more buyers move towards making it a condition of purchase.

The process involves -

1 Pre-assessment stage – this is confidential and an auditor will come an assess what needs to be done.

2 Full assessment

3 Certification – fish will then be labelled. Re-assessment will take place after 5 years.

Douglas thanked Rob and Katriona for coming to the meeting.

It was noted that if MAFA members wanted accreditation this could be arranged at a greatly reduced cost by joint Association applications.

This was then followed by the AGM

1 Approval of minutes of meeting on 11^th December 2007 – proposed by Sally Davis, seconded by Douglas Wilson

2 Matters arising

None

3 Treasurer's report

Copies of these were distributed. Finances are in a healthy state at present(mainly due to a big donation the previous year from Bunessan Gala Day) but money will be needed to cover expenses for representatives to go to the various meetings spread over the whole of Scotland and perhaps the UK.

4 Secretary’s report

Nick reported on the meetings and consultations attended throughout the year. These included meetings regarding the introduction of the new IGFs and regular SSMEI meetings in Craignure and Lochaline. MAFA has joined the Shellfish Association of Great Britain. The year ahead will see an increase in the number of “Crab and Lobster strategy meetings” and if the Marine Bill is passed it is important that MAFA is represented on any local governing boards. There is still concern about the creel losses and it was hoped that with the introduction of the IFGs that there will be more agreement between the static gear and mobile fishermen. At the latest crab and lobster strategy meeting there had been a suggested voluntary agreement about an increase in size of brown crab. Successful written representation had been made to the Government on the swapping of white fish quota for days at sea for Irish crab boats. This is likely to re-occur again this year.

5 Election of Office Bearers

Election of Office Bearers

Chair Douglas Wilson - proposed by Nick Turnbull, seconded by A Mackie

Secretary/Treasurer Nick agreed to continue to do this

Members --- All members present agreed to stand again

Committee to be appointed Scallop Fishing

(existing) Steve Barlow Commercial Divers

Andy Durie Static gear

Alistair Mackie Static gear

Sally Davis Fin fish Aquaculture

Nick Mawhinney Shell fish farmer and marine engineer

Alexander Wood Trawler/Dredger(to be confirmed)

Paul Gallagher who was the scallop dredger rep. but no longer has a boat was thanked for his support of MAFA

Everyone was thanked for coming to the meeting; Helen for doing the teas, Cath Mayo for doing the minutes secretary and the late Mike Mayo for all the help he had given Nick and MAFA over the past two years.