About us
The NFFO is the representative body for fishermen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. All sizes and classes of fishing vessel are represented, from under-10 metre beach launched vessels, to 60 metre pelagic and distant waters vessels.
Funded through membership subscription and the earnings of our services company, NFFO Services Limited, the NFFO is controlled through an Executive Committee comprised of representatives nominated by our constituent associations.
The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation Limited is a company limited by guarantee, whilst NFFO Services Limited is a limited company.
The NFFO is serviced by a staff of eight based mainly in the Federation’s offices in York.
A regional presence is maintained through member producer organisations and four regional committees: South West, South East, North East and North West.
Brief History
The NFFO was established in 1977 during the negotiations for the 1983 Common Fisheries Policy agreement. The paramount importance of being able to speak with a single industry voice has remained the defining feature of the NFFO’s existence.
Initially, the NFFO was formed and centred on the North East of England with a few outposts on the West coast and South coast. Gradually the NFFO’s membership was extended to cover the whole of the English coast, Welsh coast, Northern Ireland and the Channel Isles. The internationalisation of the fleets over the last decade means that the Federation’s membership also embraces vessels in Anglo Dutch, Anglo Spanish and Anglo-Icelandic ownership.
In 1984 the NFFO established a commercial division – NFFO Services Limited – and this provides valuable income to the industry by securing guard-ship and liaison work with offshore developers. A dual role is served – co-existence with other offshore industries and a useful income stream to the industry and the Federation.
An important change to the Federation’s structure was agreed in 1996 when the producer organisations in addition to fishermen’s associations were taken into the heart of the NFFO. This was complemented by a strengthening of the Federation’s Regional Committees which provide a means for members outside producer organisations to coordinate their views and agree common positions.
The NFFO holds formal positions in the following Organisations at European, Regional Seas and National levels:
European
- Europeche (European Association of Fishermen’s Organisations)
- EU Advisory Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture
Regional Seas
- North Sea Regional Advisory Council
- North Western Waters Regional Advisory Council
Long Distance Regional Advisory Council
- Pelagic Regional Advisory Council
National
- Marine Protected Areas Fishing Coalition
- Marine Stakeholders Advisory Group
- Fishing Industry Safety Group
- Fisheries Liaison with Offshore Wind and Wet Renewables (FLOW)
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