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Seafish Industry Authority

The Sea Fish Industry Authority (SFIA) was established in 1981 to serve the interests of the UK sea fish industry. It is regulated by the four fisheries administrations in the UK. An independent review of the SFIA was conducted and the report was published in February. An initial Government response to the review, setting out proposals for the future of the SFIA, was also released for public consultation in February. Stakeholders are invited to engage in discussion with the SFIA during a 12 week consultation period and then provide comments regarding their views to the four fisheries administrations (DEFRA, SEERAD, WAG and DARDNI) by 5 May. Stakeholder views will be taken into consideration by Ministers and recommendations will be discussed with the SFIA when issuing the final response later this summer. Copies of the Report and the initial Government response have been published on the DEFRA and SEERAD websites and been placed in the Commons and the Public Library. In addition, a press release was published in Fishing News, The Grocer and other regional publications. Details of the procedure for consultation can be found on the DEFRA and SEERAD websites.