20 May 2014
National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations Announces New Chairman
Selsey based small boat fisherman Tony Delahunty has been appointed Chairman
of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) after being
unanimously elected by the federation’s executive committee. Tony took up the
position at the NFFO’s recent AGM and succeeds Cornish representative Paul
Trebilcock, who has held the position since 2012 and will now adopt the role of
President.
Tony operates an under-10 metre vessel targeting both shellfish and
whitefish from Selsey and also holds the position of Chairman of the NFFO’s
South East Committee, representing the South East on the body’s Executive
Committee.
Tony Delahunty said: “I am grateful for the confidence of my
colleagues on the NFFO Executive. It is important that the Federation continues
to reflect the diversity of our fleets and as a small boat fisherman I look
forward to playing my part. What I have learnt since becoming part of the NFFO
Executive is that the federation undertakes a huge amount of work on behalf of
the fishing industry and that work is enhanced and strengthened by the support
and involvement of grass roots fishermen on vessels of all sizes across the
country’s diverse fleet.
“There are some significant challenges on the horizon, not least the upcoming
implementation of the EU discard ban. Fishermen must ensure the industry makes
its voice heard on how the ban will be implemented and the practicalities of
the new regime managed. Unless the rules make sense at vessel level, the whole
exercise is at best futile and at worst could undermine the good work done so
far.”