28 December 2012
The year-end is often a time for self-reflection. In this vein, it could be said that the NFFO is based on three main principles:
Mutuality, Realism and Self-reliance.
Mutuality
At first sight the diversity of the NFFO’s membership would seem like a disadvantage. Member vessels range in size from over 60metre vessels which fish the vast pelagic shoals and distant water grounds to small, under-10 metre inshore potters and punts. We fish many different species in many different sea areas using many different gears. How is it possible to align all these different interests and forge coherent policies within a single national organisation?
What makes this apparent disadvantage a strength, is mutuality, which essentially means, “I will cover your back and when the time comes you cover mine.”
This approach is at the heart of the NFFO and has repeatedly stood us in good stead in difficult times. Issues arise which have an impact on part of our membership and those affected have the backing of the whole of the NFFO -because next time it will be a different part of the fleet that needs similar support.
Also, our Executive Committee, which is comprised of nominees from the various regional organisations, is a good place to hear directly about and understand the different issues confronting other parts of the fleet. Like the different strands in a rope, mutual support binds the Federation’s different interests into a strong united but flexible body pulling in the same direction.
Realism
Organisations which deal with the world as they would like it to be, rather than how it is tend, after a short time, to lose impetus and faded away.
The NFFO from its origins in 1977 has been committed to dealing with political and biological realities. Where fish stocks are shared with other counties, ways must be found to jointly manage those stocks. Fisheries management issues should be dealt with on the basis of realities, rather than assertion, inflated claims and dodgy statistics. Finally, the Federation will always find ways of dealing with the key decision makers – whoever is in power and wherever those decisions are made.
It is because the NFFO has for the most part stuck to the evidence, avoided exaggeration, overstatement and the wilder conspiracy theories, that its credibility has built over the years, whilst more colourful bodies have come and gone.
Self-Reliance
From the outset, the NFFO has taken the view that if it is to maintain its independence and integrity, it must be self-financing, either through membership subscription, or through what it can earn through its services company. Over-reliance on government or charitable foundation grants can only lead, over time, to a dilution of independence.
This strict principle does not preclude many different kinds of collaboration with a wide range of groups and organisations which share our aims; but it does ensure that these will be relationships of equals, not the NFFO as a junior partner. In fact, the NFFO has a proud record of working on a basis of equal partnership with scientists, fishermen’s organisations in the UK and from other member states, other marine and seabed users, NGOs and government, towards common goals and objectives.
So, mutuality, realism and self-reliance. It is unlikely that the NFFO will drift far from these principles in the future. For those in the fishing industry who can subscribe to them, the NFFO will be found to be an active, dynamic, and welcoming organisation.