Join the IFM
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in fish and fisheries, their proper management and conservation.
Why join the IFM?
IFM is the sole representative body for fisheries professionals in the UK and Ireland, but there is a membership grade to suit anyone involved in fisheries, whether you are a full-time professional, a student or a group/individual with a general interest in fisheries and the aquatic environment. There are two broad membership categories encompassing four separate member grades.
- Professional grades FULL and ASSOCIATE
- Affiliate grades SUBSCRIBER and STUDENT
Membership at any level carries a wide range of advantages which can be seen under each category below
Which type of membership is right for you?
Professional grades:
If you are working in fisheries at any level, you will qualify for Professional Membership, and you can join at any stage of your career. You will qualify as an Associate or a Full member, dependent on your experience, qualifications and professional competence.
If you have just embarked on a career in fisheries you can join as an Associate member with the prospect of progressing to Full membership after five years.
If you have been working in fisheries for some time you may qualify for direct entry as a Full member.
Affiliate grades:
Affiliate membership is designed to accommodate those not engaged professionally in fisheries management but with a special interest in fisheries and the aquatic environment.
If you are undertaking full or part-time education in fisheries, aquaculture or a related scientific subject you can join as a Student member. Enrolling for either of the IFM Certificate or Diploma courses includes automatic Student membership.
Perhaps you are an angler, a fishery owner or represent an angling club interested in learning more about fisheries management, you can join as a Subscriber member.
You may represent a corporate body e.g. river trust/foundation, conservation body or environmental group which would be eligible for Subscriber membership.
Or maybe you are involved in manufacture or distribution of specialist equipment for use in fisheries research/management or environmental monitoring, your business can qualify for SUBSCRIBER membership.
Membership Routes
Rules and Policies
The Rules of the Institute can be downloaded here
Membership Categories
Full Member (MIFM)
As a full member of the IFM you will have been involved in fisheries for some time and therefore your work will reflect your interest in the industry. As a whole the IFM can offer you the ability to network and keep up to date with the world of fisheries by attending local and regional events. At this level of membership a major benefit would be the access to the IFM Diploma in Fisheries Management and exploring the options to become a Chartered Environmentalist.
Membership open to
Persons who can demonstrate a minimum of five years relevant experience in fisheries management and who
(a) hold the Diploma of the Institute or
(b) hold an appropriate degree or equivalent, ideally in fisheries or a related scientific subject, OR
(c) a qualification or a level of professional competence deemed appropriate by Membership Committee
Benefits
Professional recognition
- Recognition of professional status
- Use of post-nominal letters, MIFM, CEnv etc
- Development of personal profile
Communication & networking
- Quarterly copy of FISH magazine
- Engagement through IFM social media platforms
- Email notifications & announcements
- Automatic membership of regional IFM branch
- Networking through local & national fisheries events
Training & development
- Access to IFM Certificate & Diploma courses
- Discounts on specialist training courses
- Voluntary continuous professional development (CPD) facility
Career enhancement
- Access to job opportunities throughout the UK and Ireland
- Opportunity to apply for Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP)
- Opportunity to apply for Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)
- Potential nomination for fellowship (FIFM)
Policy, advocacy & representation
- Advocacy on key fisheries and environmental issues
- Influence on government legislation and policy
- IFM policy & position statements on relevant issues
- Representation of fisheries professionals with regard to education, employment and professional status
Events, discounted rates
- Annual conference
- Specialist conferences and workshops
- Regional branch events
- FSBI conferences
Specialist sections
- Fish and the Environment
- Culture and Health
- Transitional and Marine
- Angling and Recreation
- Administration and Management
Affiliations
- Licensed membership of the Society for the Environment
- Association with Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI)
- Membership of Wildlife & Countryside Link
Resources
- Register of fisheries professionals
- Discounts on high-cost items e.g. drysuits and technical equipment
- Range of fisheries management advisory booklets
Full Members may apply for Chartered Environmentalist status. Acceptance as a Full Member is subject to the submission of a satisfactory CV.
Associate Members (AMIFM)
As a whole the IFM can offer you the ability to network and keep up to date with the world of fisheries by attending local and regional events. At this level of membership a major benefit would be the access to the IFM Diploma in Fisheries Management and exploring the options to become a Full Member.
Membership open to
Any individual working full or part-time in fisheries shall be entitled to become an Associate member.
An Associate will be entitled to progress to Full membership after 5 years, provided they satisfy the requirements with regard to academic qualifications and/ or professional competence.
Benefits
Professional recognition
- Recognition of professional status
- Use of post-nominal letters, AMIFM, CEnv etc
- Development of personal profile
Communication & networking
- Quarterly copy of FISH magazine
- Engagement through IFM social media platforms
- Email notifications & announcements
- Automatic membership of regional IFM branch
- Networking through local & national fisheries events
Training & development
- Access to IFM Certificate & Diploma courses
- Discounts on specialist training courses
- Voluntary continuous professional development (CPD) facility
Career enhancement
- Access to job opportunities throughout the UK and Ireland
- Opportunity to apply for Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP)
- Opportunity to apply for Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)
- Potential nomination for fellowship (FIFM)
Policy, advocacy & representation
- Advocacy on key fisheries and environmental issues
- Influence on government legislation and policy
- IFM policy & position statements on relevant issues
- Representation of fisheries professionals with regard to education, employment and professional status
Events, discounted rates
- Annual conference
- Specialist conferences and workshops
- Regional branch events
- FSBI conferences
Specialist sections
- Fish and the Environment
- Culture and Health
- Transitional and Marine
- Angling and Recreation
- Administration and Management
Affiliations
- Licensed membership of the Society for the Environment
- Association with Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI)
- Membership of Wildlife & Countryside Link
Resources
- Register of fisheries professionals
- Discounts on high-cost items e.g. drysuits and technical equipment
- Range of fisheries management advisory booklets
Subscriber
As a whole the IFM can offer you the ability to network and keep up to date with the world of fisheries by attending local and regional events. At this level of membership a major benefit would be the access to the IFM Diploma in Fisheries Management and exploring the options to become a Full Member.
Membership open to
- individuals or groups with an interest in fisheries e.g. individual anglers, fishery owners, angling clubs/associations;
- corporate bodies with an interest in fisheries e.g. river trusts/foundations, conservation bodies etc;
- commercial bodies with an interest in fisheries and the aquatic environment e.g. in manufacture and/or distribution of equipment for use in fisheries research/management or environmental monitoring.
Benefits
Communication & networking
- Quarterly copy of FISH magazine
- Engagement through IFM social media platforms
- Email notifications & announcements
- Automatic membership of regional IFM branch
- Networking through local & national fisheries events
Training & development
- Access to IFM Certificate & Diploma courses
- Discounts on specialist training courses
- Access to job opportunities throughout the UK and Ireland (students)
Policy & advocacy
- Advocacy on key fisheries and environmental issues
- Influence on Government legislation and policy
- IFM policy & position statements on relevant issues
Events
- Annual conference
- Specialist conferences and workshops
- Regional branch events
Affiliations
- Licensed membership of the Society for the Environment
- Association with Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI)
- Membership of Wildlife & Countryside Link
Resources
- Register of fisheries professionals
- Discounts on high-cost items e.g. drysuits and technical equipment
- Range of fisheries management advisory booklets
Student Members
Individuals involved in full or part-time education in fisheries, aquaculture or a related scientific subject.
From 2023 Student Members will also benefit from our partnership with the Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI) as they will be able to join free of charge. Please email Iain Turner at iain.turner@ifm.org.uk when registering as a student if you wish to opt in to joint student membership of the FSBI
Membership open to
Individuals involved in fisheries management and who are in full or part-time education but are not in regular, paid employment.
It shall be a condition of membership as a Student member that a person who ceases to qualify thereof shall advise the Membership Secretary without delay.
Benefits
Communication & networking
- Access to Journal of Fish Biology (online) and FISH magazine (online),
- Engagement through IFM social media platforms
- Opportunity to apply for funding from the FSBI award/grant schemes
- Opportunity to apply for funding through the IFM Peter Spillett Award
- Email notifications & announcements
- Automatic membership of regional IFM branch
- FSBI Voting rights and FSBI Newsletter
- IFM voting rights at AGM’s
- Networking opportunities through IFM national and branch events and FSBI Symposia,
Training & development
- Access to IFM Certificate & Diploma courses
- Discounts on specialist training courses
- Access to job opportunities throughout the UK and Ireland (students)
Policy & advocacy
- Advocacy on key fisheries and environmental issues
- Influence on Government legislation and policy
- IFM policy & position statements on relevant issues
Events
- Annual conference
- Specialist conferences and workshops
- Regional branch events
- FSBI Symposia
Affiliations
- Licensed membership of the Society for the Environment
- Association with Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI)
- Membership of Wildlife & Countryside Link
Resources
- Access to Journal of Fish Biology (online)
- Discounts on high-cost items e.g. drysuits and technical equipment
- Range of fisheries management advisory booklets
Join the IFM
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in fish and fisheries, their proper management and conservation. Benefits include training and qualification opportunities, events, publications, CPD, the Chartered Environmentalist qualification (CEnv), member discounts and more.