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Defra Webinar on Tranche 4 FMPs

Defra has started the development of its final four Fisheries Management Plans (FMP) projects:

• Celtic Sea and Western channel demersal FMP for English and Welsh waters
• Celtic Sea and Western channel pelagic FMP for English and Welsh waters
• Black seabream FMP for English waters
• Wrasses complex FMP for English waters

A webinar will be held on Wednesday 17th April 2024 at 13:15 to introduce these FMPs.

Join Defra for presentations about the stocks covered by these plans, who is preparing them and how stakeholders can get involved. Following the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about these plans.

Anyone with an interest in these FMPs and commercial fishing, recreational fishing, and the marine environment is invited to book a place and find out how to get involved in the development of these plans.

Bookings can be made at this link - FMP events- Introduction to the final four FMPs for English waters Tickets, Wed 17 Apr 2024 at 13:15 | Eventbrite

Report to Parliament about IFCAs Conduct and Operations 2018-2022

The Secretary of State must prepare a statutory report into the conduct and operation of the ten IFCAs every four years, which must be laid before parliament.

The third report will cover the period from September 2018 to September 2022. The report will assess the IFCA's against their five high level objectives set out in the IFCA Vision and Success Criteria document set out in the 2014-2018 Conduct and Operations Report on the IFCAs.

A consultation is currently underway to inform the 2018-2022 report. Defra are seeking feedback in response to the consultation which will contribute to the content of the third Conduct and Operations Report.

For more information on the consultation and how to take part please visit 

Report to Parliament about Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities' (IFCAs) conduct and operations 2018-2022 - Defra - Citizen Space

Your Opportunity to Manage Inshore Fisheries and Conservation

The MMO are looking to fill IFCA vacancies for General Members to IFCA Committees and create a reserve list. 

The MMO operates a rolling campaign for the recruitment of IFCA General Members, this means that the IFCA General Member advert will be open to receiving applications for all regional IFCAs from interested candidates throughout the year without the restriction of a cutoff date. The sifting and interviewing of successful applicants will be held on a quarterly basis.

For more information please visit the MMO website - Opportunity to manage inshore fisheries and conservation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

or contact
ifcarecruitment@marinemanagement.org.uk or
leanne.tan@marinemanagement.org.uk
 

Court Outcome - Poole Fishermen Plead Guilty

On Wednesday 29^th November 2023 at Poole Magistrates Court, Poole fishermen Andrew Skinner & Reginald Skinner, pleaded guilty to taking a quantity of undersized cockles from Poole Harbour, contrary to prohibition (4) of the Fishing for Cockles Byelaw of the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (Southern IFCA) and section 163 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.  Charges were laid by the Southern IFCA and both fishermen were ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £6,456.00.

The court heard how during the morning of Tuesday 13^th June 2023, Andrew Skinner was inspected by officers at Fisherman’s Dock, Poole Quay. Mr. Skinner was in possession of 7 bags of cockles and 7 bags of manila clams, which he confirmed had been caught using the fishing vessel Lula Bon PE892 in Poole Harbour. Lula Bon is jointly owned by Andrew Skinner and his father Reginald Skinner.

An inspection of the catch followed. Officers found that the manila clams landed by Mr. Skinner were mainly compliant with the minimum conservation reference size of 35mm. However, based on samples removed for measuring, 33.86% of the cockles were undersized; passing through a gauge having a square opening measuring 23.8mm along each side. The total weight of all shellfish landed by Mr. Skinner was approximately 390kg.

As joint owners of the vessel both Andrew Skinner and Reginald Skinner were liable for the breach of regulations. Each were fined £1200.00 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,548.00 and a surcharge of £480.00.

When asked to comment, 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. The Southern IFCA is committed to the protection of our fish stocks and coastal fisheries, ensuring healthy seas and a viable industry. By taking offenders to court we aim to support a sustainable local fishery.

MMO Consultation Outcomes - Lyme Bay Sole Fishery

Southern IFCA Net Fishing Byelaw