Who we are

Institute of Fisheries Management
IFM PO BOX 26
Exeter
EX5 2WR
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)845 388 7012 (office hrs: Mon-Fri, 9am - 5pm)
E-mail: info@ifm.org.uk

We have an Executive Committee and an IFM Council which are made up of our Officers and volunteers.

Ian Dolben – Chairman
e-mail: chairman@ifm.org.uk

My interests in fish started around the time of GCE exams when sitting with a fishing rod seemed more attractive than revision. Despite this I passed a few exams and ended up with a degree, at the same time coming to the conclusion that there were easier ways to catch fish, involving nets and electricity, than angling. My early career was spent in a variety of sexual positions, generally involving numbers of hormonally challenged coarse fish and their eventual progeny. All this took place on a sewage treatment works in Rotherham – I lived on site in the delightfully named ‘No3 Water Pollution Cottages' - always gets a laugh that one. Sadly re-organisation and a lack of management support meant re-location to York, joining the other piscatorially challenged scientists chopping up fish, visiting fish farms and splashing about in rivers.

After a long (too long possibly) career in the fisheries world, I now work as a Techical Adviser in the Emvironment Agency Head Office Fisheries Team. Occasionally I find time to go and thrash the water to a foam in (usually) vain attempts to catch trout or salmon; luckily there are a few fish naive enough to fall for the fly. I have thoroughly enjoyed being Chair of the Institute (this will be my last year) - the post has its challenges but I have been helped by an excellent group of people on Council and Executive.

Steve Axford -(acting) Honorary Secretary
email: s.axford@ifm.org.uk

Liz Baldwin – Membership Secretary
e-mail: members@ifm.org.uk

Scott West - Development Officer 
e-mail: scott.west@ifm.org.uk

I have been fascinated by water for as long as I can remember. Angling took me to the water’s edge at a young age and it is something that remains with me today. I enjoy fishing for many species in many ways, preferring to match my angling to the seasons in almost a classic style which is probably due to the writings of Chris Yates; I must have read Casting at the Sun fifty times over. Even though the interest was there it was not until studying architecture for three years that I realised I was in the wrong game!

A massive u-turn sent me to Sparsholt College to study fisheries management and that, in turn, led me to Plymouth University to further my knowledge of the subject. From there I disappeared around the globe surfing (which is my biggest obsession these days and why I choose to reside in Devon.) Once home I flirted with many aspects of aquatic related roles including consultancy, flooding work, aquatics and even a four month coral reef survey trip to Costa Rica.

In recent years I have focused on education, training as a post 16 lecturer in aquatic subjects and have a committed approach towards young people and environmental education. I am a huge believer in professional development and my core values consist of the important link between education and natural resources. On a lighter note, I encourage anyone wishing to get involved with my work for IFM; to contact me with your thoughts and ideas, even if you just wish to find out more.

Jim Gregory - Editor FISH
e-mail: fish@ifm.org.uk

I joined the IFM in 1990, the same time I started work tracking salmon through Cardiff Bay. Since then, my career path seems to have been aimed towards developing the science and technology behind freshwater fisheries monitoring. I am currently a Senior Technical Specialist with the Environment Agency's National Fisheries Team. When not being that I spend time sanding a wooden boat, which I may actually get to sail one day, talking about sailing, mountain biking and other semi-energetic pastimes.

Katy Lewis - Website Editor
e-mail: website@ifm.org.uk

I have always been keen to work with fisheries and the environment. Following a marine biology degree and masters in Australia I found myself back in the UK monitoring fish on the Thames. I have worked for the Environment Agency since 2002. In this time I have spend many a happy hour out in the field monitoring fish populations. I am now warm and dry in head office where I manage ecology monitoring.

Paul Coulson – Training Secretary
e-mail: training@ifm.org.uk

After leaving the hallowed grounds of Sparsholt College with the old HND in Fisheries Management I moved back to Yorkshire. I first worked for the EA Dales region on the summer surveys; this was a great way to learn the different survey techniques and gave me a grounding in data handling, I worked with a great team many of whom are still friends today. From there I moved back to Winchester to take a post with Hampshire County Council as a laboratory technician working on soil sampling and analysis. Once my girlfriend (now wife) had completed her time at Sparsholt we moved once again to Yorkshire.

My next job saw me moving back to water as an Environmental Scientist for a private monitoring company. My role was to take and analyse samples of surface and groundwater from active and retired landfill sites. Although this may not sound the most glamorous of jobs I really enjoyed my time and learnt a great deal on the way (its amazing the amount of life these sites hold).

I am now in my sixth year at Bishop Burton College teaching Fisheries Management. This has been a challenging but very rewarding time; I enjoy all aspects of my job (well maybe not the paperwork) and take pride in seeing my student’s progress into an industry that can offer them so many opportunities.

I am also the junior development officer for Hull and District Angling Association, the association is working very hard to encourage more youngsters into the sport as well as getting angling into the curriculum. When not at work I can be found either in the gym, on the squash court, in the kitchen or on the bank. In my time I have tried all elements of angling, currently I am spending most weekends match fishing on a range of venues, although I try to keep away from carp filled commercials. This is mostly because I travel with Mike Lee and he just can’t get to grips with the intricacies of catching carp.

Press Officer - Vacant
e-mail: press@ifm.org.uk

Emma Washburn - CPD Officer
email: cpd@ifm.org.uk

Mike Lee – Careers Officer
e-mail: careers@ifm.org.uk

My career in fisheries started in 2000 working as a summer student for the Environment Agency, assisting in the annual surveys of the Dales rivers, and have remained here ever since, undertaking a wide and varied array of tasks, as a Fisheries Scientist. Like so many I graduated from Sparsholt College with a BSc Honours in Aquaculture & Fisheries Science. Recently I went back to college, but this time as a part-time lecturer at Bishop Burton College. At the weekend come rain or shine I can be found next to some type of water, filling a net with roach or my freezer with cod (I wish).

Amy Turner – Commercial/ Advertising
e-mail: advertising@ifm.org.uk

Professor Robin Welcomme – Chair of Technical Committee
e-mail: r.welcomme@ifm.org.uk

I was born in London, England in 1938 and went to school in Finchley N. London. After national service in the Air Force I went to Birkbeck College, University of London, whilst working at the MAFF laboratory in Whitehall Place. On graduation I got a job as Scientific Officer at the East African Freshwater Fisheries Research Organization, Jinja (Uganda) and also obtained a PhD at Makerere College, University of East Africa. In 1967 I transferred to work for FAO as a Fisheries Biologist in Benin, West Africa and moved to Rome in 1971 as a Fishery Resources Officer and eventually became Chief, Inland Fishery Resources and Aquaculture Service. During my work for FAO I developed my work on river fisheries, acted as Secretary of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission as well as Technical Secretary to other regional fishery bodies and helped draft the technical version of the Convention on Biological Diversity. I retired from FAO in 1997 to join Imperial College, London as a Senior Research Fellow and later as a Senior Research Investigator. In the meantime I still maintain an active interest in river fisheries.

John Gregory – Vice-President 
e-mail: john.gregory@ifm.org.uk

My first permanent job in fisheries was in the Solomon Islands helping set up a tuna fishing industry for 2 years in the early 1970’s – how I wish that I had known then what I know now – it could have been so much more sustainable. I began working in freshwater fisheries as a fisheries scientist in Anglian Water Authority before moving to Wales to learn more about our game fisheries. Since then I’ve had a variety of jobs in fisheries and other fields and am now responsible, amongst other things, for the Environment Agency’s salmon rearing in Wales.

I’ve enjoyed working with colleagues in the Institute since working in Essex when we set up the East Anglian branch, and have remained very active since, doing a number of jobs and serving on Council and various committees. We had great support from the water authority in the early days and I’m pleased that it has continued into the Environment Agency with the same sort of approach to personal development.

I’m a big believer in CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and have worked to promote its use in the IFM and by employers. We’ve made huge progress over the last few years in getting a robust scheme in place and although it’s voluntary, a substantial number of members have signed up to it. The Institute still has a great future ahead of it and has a truly important role to play in ensuring that fisheries managers, scientists and technicians are equipped with the right skills to ensure truly sustainable fisheries.

Valerie Holt – Vice President
e-mail: v.holt@ifm.org.uk

After leaving grammar school in 1958! I did various jobs in accounts, and a four year stint in Canada with a young baby, finally moving into the environmental field in 1972 with the Trent River Authority. On the formation of Severn Trent Water I moved into Water Recreation, with special emphasis on owned river fisheries, trout reservoirs and country parks. The job evolved through the years, and successive employers (NRA and EA) to a greater emphasis on conservation and biodiversity, although still looking after river and lake fisheries. I retired from EA in 2002.

I joined IFM in 1979 and became Membership Secretary in 1984 until 1998, then Treasurer from 1992 to present, and have filled all officer posts in Midlands Branch during the years. I have had a lifelong passion for wildlife and the countryside and now enjoy these from my narrowboat, Bittern. As well as IFM work I am also a Trustee for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Treasurer to Thorne and Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum.