Last Thursday, Net Gain (the North Sea Marine Conservation Zones Project) hosted a Large Group meeting at the KC Stadium in Hull for 150 sea users from throughout their project area.
The meeting was attended by a wide range of delegates from commercial fishermen to recreational sea anglers and also involved a range of non-government organisations. The meeting was the first step in putting the plans of the project into action, placing stakeholders at the heart of the decision-making process from the outset.
The Net Gain Project has been set up to identify and recommend potential sites for Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in the English North Sea. The Net Gain process is different to that of other similar projects in that it aims to involve all those who have an interest in the North Sea and its future from the start, from large scale fisheries and aggregates to divers and wildlife enthusiasts. The meeting lasted all day and was professionally facilitated to enable the thoughts, suggestions and ideas of all those who attended to be taken on board as the project progresses.
Last week saw the beginning of the data gathering stage of the Net Gain Project. Liaison Officer, Dan Davis, has spoken to the first of many fishermen and stakeholders who have offered their support for the project. One such fisherman, Ray Stratford of Grimsby said:
“This is the only project of its kind to involve us from the beginning. I was pleased to take this opportunity to have a say in the future of the North Sea and the recommendations that Net Gain will make. There are so many different processes taking place at the moment, but this is the only one that I have a chance to influence. I would urge others to get involved.”
