NIFCA News The newsletter of Northumberland Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority

AUGUST 2015 SPECIAL EDITION

With the arrival of our new Patrol Vessel

St Aidan, it seemed only right to welcome

her to NIFCA with a celebratory and

traditional Naming Ceremony.

Taking place on Tuesday 11th August, the

day started in sunshine at the Royal Quays

Marina in North Shields. Guests were wel-

comed and had the opportunity to look

around St Aidan before the Duchess of

Northumberland gracefully joined us for

the occasion. Speeches from the Chief

Executive, the NIFCA Chairman and the

Duchess were enjoyed by the audience and

a toast was raised to NIFCA and the good

people of Northumberland. Peter Dade,

Superintendent of the Fisherman’s Mission

performed a blessing for St Aidan praying

for the safe voyage and return of the Ves-

sel and all who travel with her. This was

followed by the Duchess who cut the

ribbon and smashed a bottle of champagne

to complete the naming of our new Vessel.

The day ended in the sunshine it began, as

the Duchess and our other valued guests

took to the water with St Aidan. This was a

day enjoyed by all and an event that will be

remembered fondly by NIFCA Officers, staff

and Members.

NIFCA would like to take this opportunity to

once again thank her Grace, the Duchess of

Northumberland for performing the Cere-

mony, everyone who was involved in the

preparation of this event, and all of our

guests for attending, without whom the

event would not have been so successful.

The Ceremony was reported by many local

newspapers and news channels who broad-

cast the story after the Ceremony. Articles

can be found on the BBC News website

under Look North, the ITV News website

under Tyne Tees and on the Chronicle Web-

site. The day was also captured by local

photographer, Becky Davis and by David

Linkie of Fishing News and we would now

like to share some of our favorite snaps!

PAGE 1

WELCOME to our Naming Ceremony Special of NIFCA News

NIFCA Chairman Robert Arckless and the Duchess of Northumberland with her gift from NIFCA of a dressed stick made by Northumberland craftsman Tom Thompson

NEWSLETTER: NAMING CEREMONY EDITION

PAGE 2 NIFCA Staff and Members at the Naming Ceremony at Royal Quays Marina with St Aidan

NIFCA Chairman Robert Arckless gives thanks for the procurement and safe delivery of St Aidan

PAGE 3

The Duchess of Northumberland makes her speech

NEWSLETTER: NAMING CEREMONY EDITION

PAGE 4

NEWSLETTER: NAMING CEREMONY EDITION

A toast is raised to St Aidan, NIFCA and the good people of Northumberland

Peter Dade gives a blessing for the safe sailing of St Aidan

PAGE 5

The Duchess cuts the ribbon

NEWSLETTER: NAMING CEREMONY EDITION

Which is a big smash with the guests

Mike Hardy, the Duchess of Northumberland, Peter Dade, Al Browne & Les Weller

PAGE 6

NEWSLETTER: NAMING CEREMONY EDITION

Old colleagues and friends join NIFCA in welcoming St Aidan to the team - retired Sea Fisheries Committee Clerk Sir Derek Bradbeer

and Lady Bradbeer

Guests enjoy the Ceremony - Carol Sheil, Annette Graham, Sue Browne and Anne Marie Coe

PAGE 7

NEWSLETTER: NAMING CEREMONY EDITION

The Duchess takes to the water on St Aidan

Guests enjoy their voyage with St Aidan - Baroness Maddock and retired IFCA Administrative Officer Pearl Richards

PAGE 8

CONTACT US:

01670 797 676 | nifca@nifca.gov.uk | www.nifca.gov.uk| 8 Ennerdale Road, Blyth, NE24 4RT

Northumberland IFCA

@N_IFCA

MORE FROM NIFCA...

IN OTHER NEWS

IFCO (Environmental) Sally Stewart-Moore about to return a V-notched lobster to the sea

V-Notching

The NIFCA (formerly Sea Fisheries

Committee) V-notching programme is

under way for a 15th year. This year we are

buying lobsters from local fishermen as

well as wholesalers for V-notching and

return to the sea, to the great benefit of the

local fishery and marine environment.

Many thanks to all who are participating.

Further details of NIFCA V-notching can be

found on the Authority website.

The Authority bids a warm welcome to Ricky

Willis who will be working with our IFCOs for

the next 6 months on our Enforcement and

Operations work. Ricky previously worked

for Northumbria Police and his experience

will be of great benefit to the Authority

during the busy late Summer and Autumn

periods.

The Authority also looks forward to welcom-

ing our new Environmental IFCO Vicky Rae

who will take up her post in September.

Vicky joins us from the Teesmouth EMS and

we are looking forward to working with

Vicky and enjoying the benefit of her

knowledge and experience.

Welcoming New

Staff to NIFCA

Dove Marine

Summer School And Finally...

Dove Marine Summer School Setup

Deputy Chief IFCO (Environmental) Jon

Green was delighted to go and assist with

the Dove Marine Summer School in August

and tell enthusiastic students about inter-

esting aspects of the Authority’s work and

teach them a few things about sea fish.

Education of people of all ages is a key

aspect of the Authority’s work and Officers

are always happy to answer queries and

give information.

Back to St Aidan - with her able crew she is

now commencing a programme of regular

patrols throughout the district making full

use of her enhanced capability, including

observation of activity and gathering data

to inform our management and the

important work of the Authority.

BEST WISHES FROM

NORTHUMBERLAND IFCA