A key part of our work for our members is in representing their interests at different industry and stakeholder forums. CFPO ensures the voice of Cornish fishing is heard in debates around fisheries management in the UK and internationally.

The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation (NFFO)

The CFPO is the largest constituent member of The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO), which brings together industry representatives from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The NFFO provides a voice for fishermen, irrespective of their location or the size of the vessel and takes pride in the diversity of its membership. The organisation is run along democratic lines through an Executive Committee on which all the main regional and sectoral groupings have an equal voice .

The NFFO has taken the lead in pressing for the UK to have the status of an independent coastal state, when the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 and for a practical, workable and effective post-CFP management regime in the UK. The NFFO was the driving force behind the set-up of the Fisheries Science Partnership through which fishermen and scientist collaborate to fill knowledge gaps. The Federation is also active in the areas of safety and training and crew welfare.

  • "The NFFO and CFPO work extremely closely together to provide the regional and national dimensions of fishing politics and fisheries management that are absolutely necessary to be really effective and influential"

    Barrie Deas, CEO of National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations - http://nffo.org.uk/

Advisory Councils

The Advisory Councils (ACs) were established across Europe to promote regionalised decision-making under the umbrella of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Bringing together stakeholders for each sea-basin or region, each AC is set-up based on a structure of 60% industry representation to 40% ‘other interest groups’ (NGOs and civil society).

Meeting regularly, the ACs address key policy questions and draft advice to be submitted for consideration by the European Commission and Member States. The CFPO sees regionalisation as a key tenet of the most recent CFP reform: leading to more appropriate and flexible decision-making. As a vocal member of the North Western Waters Advisory Council, we are actively pressing the regionalisation agenda. We also contribute expertise on issues such as choke species and the Landing Obligation, conservation and technical measures reform.

European Association of Fish Producers Organisations

The European Association of Fish Producers Organisations (EAPO) represents 40 POs from 10 EU Member States, with approximately 10,000 vessels, 3.5 million tonnes of landings and € 3 billion first sale value. EAPO was founded in 1980. Every Fish PO recognised by its EU member state can apply for membership of the association.