Senior Scientific Officer
I was the Scientific Advisor in the Fishing Industry Strategy Unit (FISU) which addressed the medium to long-term challenges facing the UK fishing industry. This unit was initiated following the personal intervention of the Prime Minister, and therefore the project had a high political profile.
My primary role was to provide scientific expertise to the UK Government response to the Cabinet Office report “Net Benefits”.
I am a co-author of the subsequent report; “Securing the Benefits”. I also reviewed the marine fisheries and environmental enforcement arrangements in England and Wales. The final report, “The Review of Marine Fisheries & Environmental Enforcement”, identified the strengths and weaknesses of arrangements; developed alternative models for organisational structures, funding and legislative changes. One result of this review was the transformation of the Sea Fisheries Committees (SFCs) to Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) with expanded remits including marine conservation.