Membership is open to anyone with an interest in fish and fisheries, their proper management and conservation.

Applicants, depending on their qualifications, experience and employment, can apply for one of the following categories of membership.

Click to download Membership Form 

Membership Eligibility

The first two categories are normally suitable for persons working full-time in fisheries with appropriate qualifications and experience:
Only Registered or Licentiate Members will be eligible to apply for Chartered status.

Registered Members (M.I.F.M.)
Persons who have been engaged in, or involved with, fisheries management for a least five years and who:
(a) hold the Diploma of the Institute; or
(b) hold an appropriate University Degree or Council for National Academic Awards Degree; or
(c) hold such alternative qualifications as the Council may from time to time deem appropriate.

Licentiate Members (L.M.I.F.M.)
Persons who have been engaged in, or involved with fisheries management for at least two years and who:
(a) hold the Diploma or the Certificate of the Institute; or
(b) hold an appropriate Degree or Council for National Academic Awards Degree; or
(c) hold such alternative qualifications as the Council may from time to time deem appropriate.

Associate Members
Persons employed in fisheries management (whether in a full- or part-time capacity and whether in a paid or honorary capacity) not eligible as Members or Licentiate Members may apply to be Associate Members.

Student Members
Persons who are interested in fisheries management who are in full-time or part-time education and who are not in regular paid employment. (It shall be a condition of membership that a person who ceases to qualify, therefore, shall advise the secretary forthwith).

Subscriber Members
All other interested persons or groups of persons, be they anglers (coarse, game or sea), angling clubs or associations, businesses related to selling tackle or equipment, hoteliers, riparian owners and other professional people, school or university libraries, conservationists or the interested layman can apply to be a Subscriber Member.

Two other categories, that of Fellows (F.I.F.M.) and Honorary Members (Hon. M.I.F.M.) are controlled by nomination and elected by Council.

Chartered Environmentalist
The IFM is licensed to grant the Chartered Environmentalist qualification and all Registered and Licentiate Members can apply following procedures laid down by Council. The qualification recognises responsibility for sustainable environmental management and is important for employment. Click here for more details and for an application form.

Current Annual Membership Fees (2007)

Registered:  £55
Licentiate:    £50
Associate:    £40
Subscriber:  £35
Student:      £10
Over 60's:   half price
Joining after 1st July:  half price
Application Fee (one off payment):  £10 (free for students)

For Soc Env and chartership fees see the forms in chartership information

Click to download Membership Form 

For further information contact: membership@ifm.org.uk