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Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 proposes to modernise inshore fisheries management in England by replacing Sea Fisheries Committees (SFCs) with Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) (PDF 561KB).

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What will IFCAs do?

IFCAs will have a wider range of duties than SFCs including:

  • management of the exploitation of sea fisheries resources and taking necessary steps to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, balancing socio-economic considerations with the need to protect the marine environment; and
  • seeking to ensure that the conservation objectives of marine conservation zones are furthered. IFCA districts will cover the English coast out to six nautical miles and include estuaries where IFCAs will be responsible for sea fisheries management.

IFCA Vision

Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities will lead, champion and manage a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries, by successfully securing the right balance between social, environmental and economic benefits to ensure healthy seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable industry

IFCA Success Criteria

  • IFCAs have sound governance and staff are motivated and respected 
  • Evidence based, appropriate and timely byelaws are used to manage the exploitation of sea fisheries resources within the district
  • A fair, effective and proportionate enforcement regime is in place
  • IFCAs work in partnership and are engaged with their stakeholders
  • IFCAs make the best use of evidence to deliver their objectives
  • IFCAs support and promote the sustainable management of the marine environment
  • IFCAs are recognised and heard

How many IFC districts will there be?

Huw Irranca-Davies, Minister for Marine and Natural Environment announced on 8 July 2009 that Defra will establish 10 Inshore Fisheries and Conservation (IFC) districts.

This decision was made following full public consultation on options to establish new districts through the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

The preferred option for 10 IFC districts builds on the current SFC model that values local input to decision-making, provides an expert body to find practical solutions to complex inshore fisheries issues and delivers national policy at a local level. It also ensures fair representation of local authorities on their relevant committees, as well as representation from local commercial, recreational and environmental interests.

IFC district boundaries will extend inland, aligning themselves with local authority boundaries. The detail of seaward and landward boundaries and the constitutional make-up of IFCA committees will be set out in draft Orders establishing IFC districts. We plan to consult on these in January/February 2010 and would welcome stakeholder views.

IFCA committees will be formed of representatives from unitary and upper tier local authorities. The Marine Management Organisation, Environment Agency and Natural England will each have a statutory seat. The other representatives will be appointed by the Marine Management Organisation and will include members with the skills and knowledge to representative the fishing industry (recreational and commercial) and environmental interests.

Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA) Implementation Working Group

A working group, with members from SFCs, the Local Government Association, the Environment Agency and Natural England has been set up to help implement IFCAs.

Update and overview of implementation plans (73 KB, PDF file)

Terms of reference and membership (220 KB, PDF file)

Papers for meeting 19 August 2009

Papers for meeting 15 July 2009

Implementation Newsletter

Further Information

You can find out more about the MMO which is being set up by the Marine Bill and read  ‘Protecting our marine environment through the Marine Bill’

Calendar

For information on key dates, meetings and events please visit our IFCA calendar (updated: September 2009) (PDF 130KB).

Contact Us

For further information or specific enquiries regarding IFCAs, please contact us at IFCA.contact@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Page last modified: 16 November 2009
Page published: 02 December 2008