NIFCA CEO to retire
Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) chief executive officer Mike Hardy is retiring after almost 20 years at the helm.
l – r Mark Sutherland Mike Hardy
Mike leaves after serving 19 years in the leadership role, firstly with Northumberland Sea Fisheries Committee from 2003 and then NIFCA from 2011.
Mark Southerton, the organisation’s chief enforcement officer will take on the Chief Officer role as part of a new management structure.
Based in Blyth, NIFCA was established in 2011 to replace the Sea Fisheries Committee and is one of ten Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) dedicated to looking after the marine environment and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
The Northumberland district covers an area from the mid-point of the River Tyne to the Scottish border and extends six nautical miles out to sea along the coastline.
“It’s been a privilege and an honour to lead this great organisation,” said Mike. “Working alongside my NIFCA colleagues, members and stakeholders to champion and sustainably manage our inshore fisheries and marine environment is quite exceptional and unique”.
“NIFCA’s future is very bright under my successor Mark Southerton, who joined the Sea Fisheries Committee in 1995, and has been instrumental in supporting NIFCA’s strategic direction. He will continue to guide the Authority, together with an exceptionally dedicated and able team. I look forward to receiving reports of them and NIFCA in general continuing to go from strength to strength.”
NIFCA chair, Les Weller, said: “I would like to thank Mike for his years of dedication. He has led the Authority with integrity and commitment, and under Mike’s leadership, NIFCA has kept pace, helping to balance the needs of our delicate marine environment with the social and economic needs of the NIFCA district, for the betterment of our communities.
“Mike’s contributions have positioned NIFCA well for continued success and will always be valued. On behalf of our board, we thank him and wish him well in his well-deserved retirement.”
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