National Day of Recognition and Celebration of inshore and small-scale fisheries takes place at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland.
On 1 July 2026, more than 100 delegates from across the UK gathered at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, to celebrate a national day recognising the importance and unique needs of inshore and small-scale fishing communities.
15 July 2026
On 1 July 2026, more than 100 delegates from across the UK gathered at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, to celebrate a national day recognising the importance and unique needs of inshore and small-scale fishing communities. Co-hosted by the Duke of Northumberland, Newcastle University’s Centre for Rural Economy, the Inshore and Small-Scale Fisheries Consortium (ISSF) and the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (AIFCA), the event also marked 15 years of the regional IFCAs. Attendees included fishermen and fisheries representatives from across the country, from the Isle of Skye to Cornwall.
The day was officially opened by His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, who spoke about the importance of our inshore fisheries to the economy and culture of coastal communities, with words also from Alison Hume the MP for Scarborough and Whitby.
The challenges and realities of fishing communities were highlighted through poetry by Adrian Bartlett (PFSA) and Women in Fisheries ambassador Ashley Mullinger, who also premiered her film Freedom. Speakers including Sarah Coulthard (Newcastle University) and Simon Bywater (Renaissance of the East Anglia Fisheries) discussed the decline of inshore fisheries and the ISSF’s work to bring fishermen, regulators and policymakers together. A fishermen’s panel, chaired by Emily Bulled of AIFCA, led a Q&A session, while Michael Johnson of the Marine Management Organisation outlined opportunities through the new Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund.
The morning featured presentations on IFCA work and inshore fisheries management, with Robert Clark (AIFCA) outlining the history and national role of IFCAs, followed by Alex Aitkin on managing Northumberland’s inshore waters. After a lunch of locally sourced seafood lasagne, attendees heard from ‘the female fisherman’ Ashley Mullenger, and a panel including representatives from Plymouth Fishing & Seafood Association, Sole of Discretion and Fishing into the Future, who discussed initiatives to promote local seafood and support Plymouth’s fleet. Further talks covered efforts to reduce whale entanglement in Scotland, the work of the Whitby Lobster Hatchery, and the Fishermen’s Mission’s mental health and outreach programmes.
Tour of Northumbrian Fishing Villages
The event was preceded on 30 June by a tour of the fishing villages of Boulmer, Beadnell, Craster and Seahouses, led by Northumberland IFCA Chief Officer Mark Southerton. Attended by 44 delegates, the tour provided insights from local fishermen on challenges facing the industry, including crew shortages, a lack of new entrants and limited affordable housing in coastal communities.
The event highlighted the vital role of the UK’s small-scale, inshore fishing fleet - family-owned vessels that make up around 80% of the national fleet but are declining in many areas. Through its work, the ISSF is helping to identify the sector’s needs while evidencing its economic, cultural and social value, including the provision of local seafood, employment, maritime heritage and connections between communities and the sea.
The day also strengthened relationships across the fishing sector and encouraged greater collaboration between fisheries management, rural development and economic growth organisations. Discussions emphasised the need to place fishing communities at the heart of coastal policy, ensuring they receive the recognition, investment and support needed to sustain thriving and resilient coastal economies.
Newcastle University doctoral students Phoebe Lewis and Ainsley Hatt were recognised for their contributions to the work of the ISSF including curation of the Pride in our Seas national portrait exhibition (funded by Newcastle University); Graphic recorder and illustrator Caroline Chapple, whose art has transformed the communication of ISSF outputs, attended the day and kindly donated a drawing of the day’s events.
The Inshore Small-Scale Fisheries Consortium is a collaboration of individuals from the following organisations who share concern about the decline in the small-scale fishing sector and are working with fishermen and others to address it. For further information please contact sarah.coulthard@ncl.ac.uk or emily.bulled@association-ifca.org.uk.
