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Providing some local context on the Bottom Towed Fishing Gear debate.

Southern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority

Fishers are key custodians of sustainable marine environments and continue to work with Southern IFCA to ensure a viable fishing industry for current and future generations. Well managed fisheries continue to co-exist alongside attainment of conservation objectives in the inshore waters, harbours and estuaries of Dorset, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, which in turn, support the local coastal communities.

The following are examples of features within the district’s 21 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which, based on best available evidence⁺, are sensitive to Bottom Towed Fishing Gear activity and are therefore protected via spatial prohibitions:

• 95.5%^{^}(100%*) of confirmed rock habitats (reef features)
• 81.2%^{^}(99.1%*) of seagrass beds
• 100% of maerl beds*
• 100% of black seabream nesting habitats*

Bottom Towed Fishing Gear closures are in place across 48.2%^{^} (51.4%*) of the districts’ 21 MPAs, which equates to 25.5%^{^} (27.2%*) of the entire Southern IFCA district.

Where non-compliance by a minority of fishers is identified, enforcement actions are taken. In the year 2024-2025, eight investigations relevant to Bottom Towed Fishing Gear incursions were undertaken by Southern IFCA, one of which was a joint investigation with Devon & Severn IFCA. Two of these investigations were settled via Fixed Administrative Penalties and three remain ongoing in accordance with the Southern IFCA Compliance & Enforcement Framework.

For further information on the work of Southern IFCA, please visit our website.
 

+best available evidence as provided by Natural England, the Government’s statutory nature conservation advisors.
^% of feature protected under the Southern IFCA 2016 BTFG Byelaw when compared to current best available evidence [released 2023].
*% of feature protected proposed under the Southern IFCA 2023 BTFG Byelaw (made by Southern IFCA in September 2023, based on 2020 data, currently awaiting Secretary of State ratification) when compared to current best available evidence [released 2023].

Octopus

Southern IFCA are aware of the rising numbers of Octopus catches in the South West. IFCOs are continuing to engage with the fishing industry in the district and currently are not receiving reports that Octopus are being caught in the same numbers as they are in the South West. Some of the industry are concerned regarding the potential impacts if the “Octopus bloom” does spread East and we encourage industry to report any catches to the MMO via their Catch Recording Requirements. Southern IFCA will continue to engage with the Fishing Industry, the MMO and our IFCA colleagues in the South-West to monitor the situation.

I-VMS licence condition in effect: Marine Management Organisation (MMO) confirms I-VMS licence condition is in effect.

On 12 May 2025, a new licence condition came into force requiring English licensed vessels under-12m to have a functioning type-approved I-VMS device installed and transmitting data during any trip to sea.

I-VMS devices capture and transmit positional data (latitude, longitude, speed, and course) and report device ID, date, time and changes in events such as battery status and data stored. 

Sean Douglas, MMO's Head of Regulatory Assurance said: "This data will provide valuable insights to the activities of the inshore fleet which, when combined with other data such as that collected by VMS for the over-12m fleet, will give a more complete picture of all activity in our marine environment.

“This will allow us, and others, to make smarter, evidence-based, decisions when it comes to marine development assessments, conservation initiatives such Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and stock protection, regulatory displacement, as well as marine and fisheries management planning, particularly for niche and seasonal fisheries.”

The data will also allow fishers to track their own activity through an app or web portal, allowing them to refine their efforts and business plans, as well as provide evidence to challenge developments or closed areas and use it as evidence in any compliance or conflict resolution.

More than 80% of industry has purchased and installed a device. Since announcing the new licence condition requirement in March of this year, there has been a continued increase in orders from the small group of fishers still without devices, while more vessels are also submitting data reports.

Sean added: “There’s been a really encouraging response from industry and our support team has been working to help them ensure devices are operational and answering general enquiries.

“The licence condition is an introductory stage to support industry ahead of the Statutory Instrument (SI), due later this year, to support English vessel owners be as prepared as possible for when the legislation comes into force.

“Our intention is to ensure vessels have a type-approved device installed and active, and also so we can work with owners and suppliers to address any technical or logistical issues, ahead of the SI being laid.

“I’d like to assure industry that during this period, where we have evidence fishers are taking steps to be compliant, we will take a pragmatic approach to enforcement while arrangements are being made. However, we will take action where necessary to ensure a level playing field.

“Our team is on hand and will continue to support industry with this change”.

The I-VMS hotline remains open for enquiries on 01900 508618, Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm) and emails can be sent to ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk. Updated guidance can be found online at: gov.uk/mmo/i-vms-england.

Southern IFCA Live Consultation: The Poole Harbour Fishery Order 2015 Management Plan (2025 Revision)

In accordance with Section (4) of The Poole Harbour Fishery Order 2015, the Authority is notifying of a consultation on a revision to The Poole Harbour Several Order 2015 Management Plan (2025 Revision) (hereafter referred to as the "Management Plan"). 

The objective of The Management Plan is to demonstrate how Southern IFCA manage aquaculture activity within a defined area of Poole Harbour under The Poole Fishery Order 2015 (hereafter referred to as “The Order”). In accordance with Section (1) of the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967, The Order confers on Southern IFCA the right of several fishery for the cultivation of shellfish of any kind for a period of twenty years from the 1^st July 2015.

Under Section (3) of The Order, the Authority must manage the aquaculture in Poole Harbour in line with The Management Plan and under Section (4), the Authority is required to undertake an annual review of The Management Plan.

The current version of The Management Plan is the output of a review of the document driven by the expiration of the current lease bed allocation on 30^th June 2025 (leases valid for the period 1^st July 2020-20^th June 2025) and the implementation of the next tranche of lease bed allocation, Tranche 3 from 1^st July 2025 to 30^th June 2030.

Prior to the publication of the updated Management Plan, the Authority must take account of any representations received in writing from any interested party on the revised Management Plan.

Details of the consultation and how to make represenation to the Authority can be found on the Live Consultations page.

Southern IFCA Live Consultation: Black Seabream

Southern IFCA are undertaking a consultaion on black seabream measures within three Dorset Marine Conservation Zones - Poole Rocks, Southbourne Rough and Purbeck Coast, where black seabream are a designated species due to their ecological importance. 

Southern IFCA have been working with key industry representatives to co-develop relevant and proportionate measures to complement existing spatial protections, to ensure current and future sustainability of black seabream populations for the benefit of the marine environment and all sectors. 

Through engagement carried out to date, a series of Shared Principles have been drafted to complement existing spatial management and support black seabream during the breeding season. 

Southern IFCA are seeking input and views on the proposed Shared Principles through this consultation. 

Please visit our Live Consultations page for more information including how to particiapte in the consultation.

The consultation is running from 6th May to 22nd June 2025.

Upcoming FMP Engagement - Bass FMP

The MMO are holding meetings to gather industry views on Goal 2 of the Bass FMP - to review the bass authorisation system. 

There are two meetings being held in the Southern IFCA District:

Poole, 1st May, 13:00-15:00
MMO Office Poole, The Quay, Poole, BH15 1HP

Lyme Regis, 1st May, 17:00-19:00
Fishing College, The Cobb, Lyme Regis, DT7 3JJ

To request the pre-meeting information or if you have any questions, please contact anna.maclennan@marinemanagement.org.uk.

 

Court Outcome

On Tuesday 25th March 2025, Portsmouth Magistrates Court heard how Mr Chi Keung Leung of Southsea, Portsmouth, removed from the sea and retained on board his vessel a quantity of black seabream that were below the minimum conservation reference size, contrary to the Southern IFCA's Minimum Conservation Reference Size Byelaw. The charges were laid by the Southern IFCA and the case was heard in Mr Leung's absence. Mr Leung was ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £6,135.25.

On Monday 29th July 2024, Southern IFCA Officers saw Mr Leung fishing with a rod and line from an inflatable dinghy in Langstone Harbour. With the assistance of Langstone Harbour Master, the Southern IFCA officers intercepted Mr Leung aboard his vessel. An inspection of his vessel and catch was carried out, with officers finding 88 black seabream in total. Of the 88 fish, 77 were found to be below the Minimum Conservation Reference Size of 23cm (87.5% of the total catch).

Following a full investigation by the Southern IFCA, Mr Leung was given the opportunity to discharge any criminal liability for his offending via payment of a £500 Financial Administrative Penalty (FAP) Notice. However, on receipt of the FAP Notice, Mr Leung informed Southern IFCA of his intent to decline payment. Legal proceedings were subsequently initiated by Southern IFCA following Mr Leung's failure to pay the FAP Notice within the statutory 28-day period and the case was heard in Mr Leung's absence, after he failed to attend court. 

The magistrates were advised that the number of undersized fish retained in the case was exceptionally high and described the unique behaviours of black seabream who move into inshore waters during the spring and summer months in order to nest. Satisfied with the prosecution's evidence, the court issued a £500 fine and awarded the full investigation and legal costs of £5,435.25, plus a victim surcharge of £200, making a total of £6,135.25.

When asked to comment, Southern IFCA's Principal Deputy Chief Officer Sam Dell said, "This case sends a clear message that failing to comply with the Authority's regulations will not be tolerated. I would like to publicly thank the Langstone Harbour Master and the IFCA officers involved in this case and recognise their tenacious approach in pursuing all lines of enquiry during this investigation. The Southern IFCA is committed to the protection of fish stocks and coastal fisheries, ensuring healthy seas and a viable industry. By dealing with offenders robustly, we aim to support sustainable local fisheries."
 

Southern IFCA's Community Drop-in Surgery - Swanage, Wednesday 14th May 2025

Southern IFCA are hosting a Community Drop-in Surgery at the Swanage & District Angling Club on Wednesday 14th May 2025 between 16:00-19:30.

Join us for a chat and share your thoughts on local fisheries and conservation matters with the Chairman, Chief Officer and some of the team.

MMO Confirms I-VMS Legislation Schedule for 2025

In a variation notice issued this week, the MMO outlined a new licence condition coming into force on 12 May 2025, requiring the use of a type-approved I-VMS device on any English under-12m vessel undertaking a trip to sea. 

This early notice of the incoming licence condition is the next stage of MMO’s preparations to support English fishers ahead of statutory legislation, expected to be laid by government later this year.

This announcement follows the roll-out of I-VMS devices which saw over 80% of industry purchase and install an I-VMS device, with more than £1.57million in grant funding paid out to fishers.

The main requirement of this licence condition is for fishers to have installed a functioning type-approved I-VMS device that shares positional data during a trip to sea.

Sean Douglas, MMO’s Head of Regulatory Assurance: “Good data is essential for sensible decision-making to protect fishing for the future. We’ve worked closely with the new government, DEFRA and suppliers to move forward with I-VMS for the benefit of both fishers and fisheries management. This announcement should assure industry that I-VMS legislation is just around the corner. We urge those in the under-12m fleet who are actively fishing to make use of the coming weeks to ensure they have a device, switch it on and check things are working as they should".

Mike Cohen, Chief Exec of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) said in support of I-VMS: “Today, many different people want to use the sea for many different purposes. Whether it is building a seaweed farm, installing wind turbines, declaring a conservation area, or something else. All of these things carry a risk that fishermen will get pushed out. We have to defend our access to the traditional grounds that our industry depends on. The best way to do that is with data that proves how important those areas are to us. Larger vessels in the national fleet have been able to do that for some time now, thanks to the VMS devices they carry. In every map of fishing effort in UK waters, however, there is always a stark gap where the inshore fleet works. I-VMS is the tool that we need to close that gap and defend the inshore fleet. With the data it provides, we can prove how important the inshore grounds are to fishing businesses and fishing communities. The better the coverage we have, the stronger our argument”.

A marine future with I-VMS

Sean Douglas continued: “The data from I-VMS will, for the first time, provide a true understanding of what is happening across England’s marine environment. It will allow for smarter, evidence-based, decisions when it comes to marien development, marine and fisheries managment, planning, regulatory displacement, niche and seasonal fisheries, as well as conservation and stock protection. The licence condition is very much an introductory stage to support industry ahead of the statutory instrument, due this year. During this time, we will take a measured approach to enforcement, working with industry and suppliers to address issues. However, we will take action where necessary to ensure a level playing field. The sooner devices start transmitting data, the sooner fishers will become familiar with their device and tracking software, will know what is expected of them and can work with us - and their supplier - to resolve any unexpected issues. Importantly, I-VMS data will also help fishers track their own activity and better understand their fishing effort". 

Device suppliers provide either an app or web portal for fishers to track their own I-VMS data. These can be used to help fishers refine their efforts and business plans, as well as provide evidence to challenge developments or closed areas and use it as evidence in any compliance or conflict resolution.

MMO has advised that a small minority of the under-12m fleet is yet to take any action, foregoing MMO’s offer of grant funding during the earlier roll-out period. But the message is clear:  If you’re an English under-12m fisher planning a trip to sea from 12 May 2025, you must get a device now.

The I-VMS hotline remains open for enquiries on 01900 508618, Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm) and emails can be sent to ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk. Updated guidance can be found online at: gov.uk/mmo/i-vms-england.

Southern IFCA's Community Drop-in Surgery - Weymouth, 25th February

Southern IFCA are hosting a Community Drop-in Surgery at the  Weymouth Angling Society, Commercial Road, Weymouth, DT4 8NF on Tuesday 25th February 2025 between 16:00-19:30.

Join us for a chat and share your thoughts on local fisheries and conservation matters with the Chairman, Chief Officer and some of the team.