The Sussex IFCA believes that it is essential that the management of inshore fisheries is transparent and information on how inshore fisheries are managed is easily accessible. Inshore fisheries off the Sussex Coast are some of the most tightly regulated fisheries; these regulations are designed to secure the sustainable exploitation of the fisheries resources.
Whilst fisheries management for many stocks within the Sussex District is delivered at a stock level and at an international level i.e. through the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy, the local management measures in place for many inshore fisheries significantly augment these national measures and protect inshore stocks and, in so doing they secure access to fisheries for the coastal communities of Sussex and beyond.
In accordance with our guidance and the Sussex IFCA plan we will set about applying, with thorough engagement with the coastal community, a management plan framework to the major fisheries off the Sussex Coast, this framework will seek to set stakeholder led objectives for the major fisheries and identify the key partners in the management of the fisheries.
In April 2011 The Sussex IFCA will publish its plan for 2011/12.
The Committee make and enforce byelaws throughout the extent of its District for the management and conservation of fish stocks and to conserve the wider marine environment. Committee Officers also enforce certain National and European wide fisheries conservation measures including the minimum sizes and bass nursery area legislation.
Over the coming months the Sussex IFCA will be developing resources which describe in more detail the Sussex Marine Protected Area Network. In the meantime our partners at The UK Marine Protected Areas Centre provide a resource for information and news on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the UK.
The Sussex IFCA will develop, through consultation with the communities it serves, and with regards to its aims and objectives and its statutory duties a research strategy. This strategy will establish how the IFCA will gather data and information to help inform its decision making processes.
Working in partnership: Section 174 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009) places a duty on an IFCA to cooperate with its neighbouring IFCAs and other public authorities that are involved with regulation or enforcement in the sea within its District.
