Irish White Fish Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs)

What are FIPs?

FIPs are a practical, industry-led approach to making continual improvements in the sustainability of specific fisheries in an ever more demanding marketplace. They are based on co-operation between all sectors in the fishery chain, from catching to processing to retail in collaboration with NGO’s who wish to see fishing continue while progress is made towards sustainability. Examples of this progress would be using more selective gear, development of plans to manage effort or any other initiatives that have the impact of improving fishery sustainability.
A FIP may be an intermediate stage towards getting a third-party certification, such as MSC, or it may be a stand-alone initiative aimed at improving a fishery. A key characteristic of all FIPs is that the industry is taking control of their own destiny and playing a key role in their own future.

Why should I join?

FIPs can create two main positive outcomes for fishermen. The first is in improving the stock and many FIP actions are aimed at stock improvement such as by collaborating with scientists to achieve a better understanding of stock health and facilitating moving towards MSY. 

The second main benefit is in improving market access and getting a better return for catches. The market for seafood is becoming increasingly demanding in terms of demonstrating that fisheries are either sustainable and well managed or on a path towards it. Irish seafood competes in markets with product sourced from MSC certified fisheries and FIPs.