If you love marine life and fish and want to help preserve and protect habitats and fishing grounds then a job with the Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority might be for you.
Very many thanks to Jon Green, Deputy Chief Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officer (Environmental) for answering Kids of the Wild’s questionnaire on working for the Northumberland IFCA.
The aim of the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities is to assist and promote the regional IFCAs to ensure that the authorities develop a leading and effective national role in fisheries and conservation management in line with the IFCA vision.
NIFCA
The aims of Northumberland IFCA are:
- To ensure sustainable use of the area’ marine resources
- To balance the social and economic benefits of exploiting the sea fisheries resources of the district with the need to protect the marine environment from, or promote its recovery from, the effects of such exploitation
- Take any other steps which in the Authority’s opinion are necessary, or expedient for the purpose of making a contribution to the achievement of sustainable development
- To balance the different needs of persons engaged in the exploitation of sea fisheries resources in the district
- To ensure all objectives of any Marine Conservation Zone in the district are furthered
The above aims will be achieved by:
- Monitoring fisheries other than migratory fisheries within the Authority limits
- Making byelaws when appropriate in the interests of fisheries and the environment
- Enforcement of byelaws
- Enforcement of other legislation (both European and national)
Job description
Jon is in charge of the management of inshore fisheries to ensure sustainability of fish stock and the protection of the marine environment
Income
Paid – from £23,000
Qualifications
- Environmental Officer – minimum of a degree in relevant subject and/or
- Enforcement Officer – relevant experience of fisheries or the law
Character traits
- The ability to work both as a member of a small team or on own initiative
Training
A wide variety of training is undertaken including operating the Authorities vessels, enforcement, environmental conservation and safety.
Top Tips for interview
Research the work of the organisation well, particularly any current issues.
Top tip for doing the job
Being flexible and willing to assist or lead on a wide variety of roles from conducting research, carrying out surveys, conducting enforcement duties and attending meetings.
The role requires dealing with a wide range of stakeholders many of whom share differing perspectives so the ability to communicate with these is vital.
Pros
- Diverse range of duties that see officers working from an office one day, ashore the next and at sea the next.
Cons
- Working some unsocial hours and dealing with offenders who can sometimes be verbally aggressive
Working hours
37 hours a week (flexible)
Travel
Environmental officers can expect to attend meetings anywhere within England but particularly in coastal locations and London/York
Useful links
- NIFCA (Northumberland Inshore Fisheries Agency)
- IFCA UK
- IFCA job vacancies
- Association of IFCA’s
- Environment Agency
- Natural England
Why I Love The Job
I work in a field that I have been passionate about throughout my life and I get to interact with a wide variety of members of the public
NIFCA Officers undertaking a fish survey at Beadnell Bay
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