Latest News

IFCA’s have been tasked by Defra to support the planning, preparation and publication phases of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs). FMPs are a new policy tool which Defra and its Arm’s Length Bodies will use to implement the objectives of the Fisheries Act 2020. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in innovative work which is shaping the future of fisheries management.

Working in the Fisheries Management and Policy Team you will represent Southern IFCA at FMP meetings and working groups. You will coordinate the provision of information, evidence and data to support the development of the FMPs, as requested by delivery partners and as guided by your line manager. You will work with local and national colleagues, as well as help to coordinate communications and engagement with the inshore fishing communities. 
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Working remotely, you will support the role of Chief Executive Officer in the provision and development of an effective and efficient financial service by the Authority

You will oversee and be responsible for the accounting and finances systems, ensuring that they are managed effectively and efficiently in accordance with professional standards, appropriate financial policies and procedure and the Southern IFCA Financial Regulations. In doing so, you will develop and maintain good working relationships with the Chief Executive Officer, the Finance Manager and external auditor providers.. 
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The Southern IFCA Annual Report for the period April 2021 to March 2022 has now been published on our website! View the Annual Report for April 2021 to March 2022.

The IFCA are required, under the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009), to produce an Annual Report, which seeks to provide an account of the work delivered during the previous reporting year. This report is sent to the Secretary of State annually following the end of the financial year.  

A new page has been launched on the Southern IFCA website to signpost our stakeholders to sources of information on the development of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) under The Fisheries Act 2020. Information is provided on the delivery partners who are working with Defra to develop each of the 'frontrunner' FMPs, updates from those delivery partners and any engagement opportunities. Contact information is also provided for the relevant delivery partner for each FMP.

Please click here to visit our new FMP page and use the clickable links within the page to navigate to information on a particular FMP.

Seafish are currently developing a King Scallop Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). They are looking for you to get invovled during stakeholder events. This work is being led by the Scallop Industry Consultation Group Working Group, an industry-led co-management group. 

Please click here for more details including a list of engagement events

For more information or to register your interest in attending an event please contact fisheriesmanagementplans@seafish.co.uk. 

The process of undertaking the 4th annual surveillance audit for the Marine Stewardship Council certification of the Poole Clam & Cockle Fishery has commenced. In addition, the fishery is also entering the process of re-assessment as the current certification (valid for 5 years) will come to an end in 2023. The audit and reassessment are being carried out by Control Union (UK) Limited.

As part of its work on the new bass fisheries management plan (FMP), Policy Lab will be running a nationwide online debate in which stakeholders from across the sector can get involved to share their ideas for the new FMP. This will take place between Monday 15th - Friday 19th August 2022. Participants take part by anonymously logging onto a platform for around 10 mins each day. While on the platform, they are presented with a series of statements about the bass world and the FMP, which they can vote to agree or disagree with. 

You can sign up by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/bassfmpci. 

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) will publish a new Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) for sea bass in 2023. Defra and Policy Lab are working together to co-create the new plan with a diverse range of individuals and interest groups in this space. 

Policy Lab are running a drop-in session In Poole on 6th July between 10.30am - 3pm at the Quay Cafe to meet with fishers to discuss experiences of bass and perspectives for the new bass FMP.

Please click here for more information.

On Friday the 17^th of June 2022, the 6 week consultation period for the bottom towed fishing gear byelaw review began. 
 

The current byelaw manages the use of bottom towed fishing gear within the district through closure areas and gear restrictions. The consultation takes into account updated evidence and Southern IFCA invites responses from any interested parties until the 1st of August 2022. 

For more information visit our Live Consultations page for the full document and guidance on how to respond to the consultation. 

On Tuesday 7^th June 2022 at Portsmouth Magistrates Court, Viviers (UK) Ltd., Fish and Shellfish Merchants, Camber Docks, Gunwharf Road, Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to 3 counts of storing undersized shellfish on their premises. Charges were laid by the Southern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority and Viviers (UK) Ltd. were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £10,946.00.

Over the last few weeks, Southern IFCA have supported the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on a number of patrols of Studland Bay in order to raise awareness of the recently introduced Voluntary No Anchor Zone. Officers from the MMO engaged with over 70 vessels over the May Bank Holiday Weekend and reported "Approximately only 20% of people we engaged with said they were unaware of the voluntary no anchor zone which is an encouraging step in the right direction."

To read the full MMO blog on the Studland Bay Voluntary No Anchor Zone Patrols, please click here. 

On Wednesday 4^th May 2022 at Poole Magistrates Court, Poole fishermen Andrew Skinner & Reginald Skinner, pleaded guilty to retaining on board their fishing vessel, Lula Bon PE892, a quantity of manila clams that measured below the minimum conservation reference size.  Charges were laid by the Southern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority (Southern IFCA) and both men were ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £4,094.00.