The new Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA)

From today the newly formed Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) will be responsible for managing aspects of the inshore waters off the Sussex coast. The Sussex IFCA District covers the entire Sussex Coast out to six nautical miles, this includes the estuaries. The Sussex IFCA has a wide range of duties including the management of the exploitation of sea fisheries resources and the conservation of the marine environment, balancing socio-economic considerations with the need to protect the marine environment.

At a launch event to mark the creation of the new authority, Cllr. Roger Thomas, Chairman of the IFCA and County Councillor for Hailsham & Herstmonceux, addressing an audience gathered at the Brighton Sealife Centre, described the vision of the IFCA: “we 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”

The Sussex IFCA is created by the Marine and Coastal Access Act, 2009 and is a statutory body. The Sussex IFCA has 21 members, 12 appointees are members acquainted with the needs of the local fishery, angling communities and the marine environment, they join 7 elected members from the councils which fund the authority: East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council and two members from other government agencies.

The duties of this new authority will be implemented by a team led by Tim Dapling, Chief Fisheries and Conservation Officer: “I consider that the objectives for sustainable commercial and recreational inshore fisheries and marine conservation are essentially common to one another; both require diverse, healthy and productive marine systems. We will work together with the communities in Sussex to deliver our vision and success will require strong partnerships with organisations, business and individuals.”

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