The UK Fisheries Economic Network (UKFEN) was founded by Seafish as an informal network for economists and analysts working in connection with fishing, aquaculture and industries that support the seafood sector.
At around 40 members strong, it is the only network of its kind in the UK. This week UKFEN members and others are coming together in Edinburgh for a workshop on ‘Best Practice Guidelines for assessing the financial and economic impact of areas closed or restricted to fishing’. Marine Scotland, with several contributors attending, is providing conference facilities for the workshop at Victoria Quay.
Held over two days, the workshop will see members and other contributors from industry and government discussing the issues around the management and use of data, methods and estimation techniques in economic impact assessments and drafting and agreeing a set of guidelines to be rolled out to industry, practitioners and government for approval.
Hazel Curtis, chief economist at Seafish explains: “Since establishing the network last year, I have been impressed with the enthusiasm of the members’ participation and contributions in continuing to develop the network. It’s great to see the membership grow, adding valuable knowledge and experience to the network, and working collaboratively to address challenging industry issues. It is our aim that, in time, UKFEN will become an open gateway to a network of experts so that the seafood industry benefits from an effective supply of expert economic knowledge, analysis and advice that is vital to its future.”
Membership of UKFEN is for economists and analysts working with business data and issues in the seafood industry, including aquaculture and processing when issues arise. Workshops or initiatives that arise from UKFEN collaboration are always likely to include industry and government representatives.
The workshop to develop Best Practice Guidelines on assessing economic impacts of closed areas is taking place at Victoria Quay in Leith, Edinburgh, 27-28 March. Economists wishing to join the UK Fisheries Economics Network should contact Hazel Curtis at h_curtis@seafish.co.uk. For more information on UKFEN, please click here.
