Consultation on Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority District Boundaries

Inshore Fisheries (IFCA Implementation Team)
Defra Marine and Fisheries Directorate
Area 2C, Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Telephone: 08459 33 55 77
Website: www.defra.gov.uk

28 January 2009

Dear Consultee,

Consultation on Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority District Boundaries

This consultation exercise is being undertaken by Defra on behalf of the UK Government to ensure that the proposals relating to the reform of inshore fisheries identified within the Marine and Coastal Access Bill (Marine Bill) are implemented effectively. You are invited to comment on proposals to define the boundaries of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority districts.

The Marine Bill provides measures to reform inshore fisheries management and the protection of the marine environment by replacing the present management system operated by Sea Fisheries Committees in England with newly created Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFC authorities) and transferring the responsibility for the management of inshore fisheries in Wales to the Welsh Assembly Government. This will of course be subject to Parliamentary approval of the Marine Bill.

This consultation exercise aims to establish initial views on English IFC district boundaries and seeks your opinion on which local authorities should form part of each IFC authority and associated district.

We are seeking your views on two alternative IFC boundary configuration proposals and the arrangement of respective IFC authorities. The proposals are set out in the accompanying Consultation document the costs and benefits of which are set out in the policy Impact Assessment document. The proposed IFC boundary configurations are:

  • Option 1 - Create 10 IFC authorities and districts, aligning new IFC district boundaries with local authority boundaries in England and to address the existing gaps in coverage.
  • Option 2- Align new IFC authority boundaries with local authority boundaries and create six large IFC districts. This option would also address the current gaps in coverage.

Please send us your views by 22 April 2009 to Inshore Fisheries (IFCA Implementation Team), Defra Marine and Fisheries Directorate, Area 2C, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR or email:
IFCABoundary.Consultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk

This consultation consists of a Consultation Paper and a separately published Impact Assessment that sets out and considers the alternative IFC authority configurations and district boundary options.

You can read and download extra copies of the following consultation documents at:
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/inshore-fisheries/index.htm

In line with Defra's policy of openness, at the end of the consultation period copies of responses we receive may be made publicly available through the Defra Information Resource Centre, Lower Ground Floor, Ergon House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR. The information they contain may Deputy Director also be published in a summary of responses.

If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated confidentially. Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your email system will not be treated as such a request. You should be aware that there are circumstances in which Defra will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations.

The Information Resource Centre will supply copies of consultation responses to personal callers or in response to telephone or email requests (tel: 020 7238 6575, email: defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk). Wherever possible, personal callers should give the library at least 24 hours notice of their requirements. An administrative charge will be made to cover photocopying and postage costs.

This consultation has been prepared in line with the Government code of practice that is available from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform at
www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/bre/consultation-guidance/page44420.html

Comments or complaints about the consultation process should be addressed to:

Marjorie Addo
Defra's Consultation Co-ordinator
Area 7C, Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London, SW1P 3JR
Email: consultation.coordinator@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Yours sincerely,

Lee McDonough
Senior Responsible Owner IFCA Implementation Project Board

Page published: 28 January 2009