Committees NIFF is represented on
Whitefish Quota Management Advisory Committee
Number of NIFF representatives: 1 + 1 observer
Frequency: Meets monthly
Purpose: A key objective of whitefish quota management is the avoidance of very early closure of fisheries through rapid exhaustion of quota. Consultation is carried out each month at the Whitefish Quota Management Advisory Committee involving representatives of the industry, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency. The purpose to the QMAC is to recommend to the Minister monthly quota allocations having regard to fishing patterns and market conditions, the best possible spread both between fishermen and also in terms of take up of quota during the year.
Monitoring Committee for the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-2027 (EMFAF)
Number of NIFF representatives: 2
Frequency: Meets twice per year but may meet more frequently in its first year as schemes are rolled out.
Purpose: The Monitoring Committee for the Programme is an oversight committee mandated by EU regulations. Its general purpose is to bring stakeholder knowledge to the implementation of the Programme, and monitor the progress of the Programme’s implementation. The Committee is charged with approving selection criteria (eligibility rules and selection procedures) for each measure under the Programme, approving the Annual Implementation Report and approving any modifications to the Programme.
Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory Committee (CSHMAC)
Number of NIFF representatives: 2
Frequency: The Committee meets at relevant intervals during the year to discuss issues of concern to the fishery.
Purpose: The primary purpose of the CSHMAC is to provide advice in relation to the management of the Celtic Sea Herring Stock and Fishery of the South West Coast of Ireland. It is a Ministerially appointed committee which has its origins in the South West Pelagic group and was given formal recognition by the then Minister in 2005. The CSHMAC is comprised of representatives from the Four Fish producer organisations together with representatives from the Fish Co-ops and Processors. In January 2016 Minister Coveney appointed two NIFF members to sit on the committee. There are a number of appointed experts to the Committee from the Marine Institute, Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. The committee meets at regular intervals during the year to discuss issues of concern to the fishery such as scientific advice regarding the state of the stock and also proposals in relation to future management arrangements.
The Sea Fisheries Protection Consultative Committee
Number of NIFF representatives: 1
Frequency: The Committee meets at relevant intervals during the year.
Purpose: The Sea Fisheries Protection Consultative Committee is an advisory body appointed by the Minister, and comprises 14 members from the Irish Marine Community with the following functions:
1. To inform the SFPA of concerns and views of the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors regarding the functions of the SFPA.
2. To seek to keep the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors generally informed of the applicable sea-fisheries law and food safety law, as well as standards, guidelines, practices and procedures operated by the SFPA.
3. To advise the SFPA on keeping the burden on the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors generally of compliance with that law to the minimum possible consistent with the essential purposes and effective enforcement of the law.
4. To advise the SFPA of its views on the fairness and consistency of the operations of the SFPA.
5. To seek delivery of a high standard of service by the SFPA.
6. The Consultative Committee shall have no function in relation to detailed operational matters or individual cases or groups of cases with which the SFPA is or may be concerned.
7. The Minister or the SFPA may consult the Consultative Committee on any matters arising in relation to the functions of the SFPA.
Irish Fisheries Science Research Partnership
Number of NIFF representatives: 1
Frequency: IFSRP meets on a regular basis throughout the year.
Purpose: This group established by the Minister in 2008 is made up of fishing industry representatives and scientists from both the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara who meet on a regular basis throughout the year to discuss scientific work programmes and priorities .
Marine Spatial Planning Advisory Group
Number of representatives: 1
Frequency: up to 4 times per annum and may convene extra meetings as required
Purpose: The purpose of the Advisory Group is to harness the potential and and capacity of a broad range of sectors including representation from the public sector, business, environmental, social and knowledge sectors to guide the strategic thinking and decision making in the preparation of marine spatial plans. The Advisory group will also inform the work of the Inter-Departmental MSP Group and provide updates, reports or recommendations as required.
The role of the Group is to:
- Utilise professional and business acumen to provide advice on the strategic direction of marine spatial plans and consider issues in a national context;
- Provide a platform in which to develop, test, review and refine ideas, scenarios and policy which will inform MSP and expected outcome;
- Make recommendations and prove feedback to assist in shaping the preparation, content and implementation of MSP;
- Utilise expertise, resources and relationships of representatives and to provide data and material, were relevant, to inform discussions and ideas in the preparation of marine spatial plans; and
- Assist and advise on alignment and linkages with other relevant initiatives/sectors and legislative requirements.
National Fishermen’s Development Group
Number of NIFF representatives: 2
Location: Dublin or Galway
Purpose: The main objective of the NFDG is to provide a mechanism to allow dialogue between practicing fishermen on a range of “grassroots” issues relating to fishing operations. Specifically, the NFDG aims to provide a platform to:
- Facilitate discussion between fishermen on technical, practical and business issues that impact on the day-to-day running of fishing vessels;
- Facilitate the provision of expert advice on relevant issues including on new and existing rules and regulations;
- Allow fishermen to share information and experiences with new technology and innovations that can improve fishing; and
- Promote a positive image of the fishing industry
Consultative Committee of Stakeholders on Brexit
Number of NIFF representatives: 1
Frequency: 2-3 meetings per annum as required
Location: Dublin
Purpose: The committee was established following the outcome of the EU/UK referendum, as part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s overall plans to assess the impact of a UK exit will have on the agri-food and fisheries sectors and ensure a full exchange of information in advance of exit negotiations taking place. The committee will remain in place for the duration of the exit negotiations.
BIM/Bord Bia Market Advisory Group
Number of NIFF representatives: 1
Frequency: The group meets on a regular basis throughout the year.
Purpose: This group has been set up by BIM and Bord Bia as a step to implement two of the key recommendation from FOOD Wise 2025 which are:
- To adapt and enhance the existing independent third party verified standards to facilitate measurement of environmental credentials of the seafood sector; and
- To prioritise the bringing of fishermen under Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme using BIM’s responsible fishing standards and other environmental programmes as an entry point.
This group is made up of active practitioners from the seafood sector including fishermen, Co-ops, processors and exporters with representation and input from NGOs crucial in addressing sustainability issues.