Following on from the immense amount of interest and engagement from the fishing industry and the wider community during its pilot project, a new approach to the reporting of archaeological finds has been launched.
In 2015 following the successful pilot project of the Fishing Industry Protocol for Archaeological Discoveries (FIPAD), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) was approached for funding to support and create the position of Historic Environment Fisheries Liaison Officer (HEFLO). Wessex Archaeology, with the support of the Sussex IFCA, was successful in their application to relaunch the FIPAD, and in February 2016 Alistair Byford-Bates was appointed to the HEFLO post.
As a permanent presence on the ground in Sussex the HEFLO will liaise with the fishing community at times that suit the ebb and flow of their daily operations. The HEFLO will also engage with the wider community to raise awareness of our shared maritime heritage and the role the fishing community have played in it.
For further information on this project or to report a find please visit: https://fipad.org/
By Alistair Byford-Bates, HEFLO
Source: Wessex Archaeology
