Compliance and Enforcement

This section contains the plans, codes of conduct and our risk based approach to compliance that will assist us in leading, championing and managing a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries.


Objectives

To achieve optimal compliance with fisheries regulations that underpins the sustainable utilisation of our fisheries in the Sussex District by:


  • Encouraging fishers to voluntarily comply with fisheries laws and;
  • Ensuring that there is an effective deterrent against non-compliance.

Maximising voluntary compliance

The greatest way to ensure voluntary compliance is to increase the knowledge and understanding of the rules. The Authority does this by providing:


  • Education and advice through brochures, signage, land and sea based patrols, school and fishing club visits
  • Involving stakeholders in development of management rules for fisheries
  • Involving stakeholders in compliance planning
  • Lowering compliance costs
  • Assessment of voluntary compliance

Getting more stakeholders involved in the development of fisheries management rules and delivery of services allows greater understanding, acceptance and compliance with the rules. It also ensures those rules are appropriate to that fishery.


Through our local management and funding structures, the Authority helps to put local authorities, local communities, local businesses and individual citizens in the driving seat, allowing them to play a bigger part in the protection and enhancement of their marine environment.


                 


Ensuring there is an effective deterrent


The greatest way to ensure there is an effective deterrent is to provide incentives for people to comply with the rules. The Authority does this by:


  • Developing fishing management rules that penalise fishers for illegal fishing
  • Effective monitoring and surveillance through land and sea based patrols and targeted operations
  • Warning, fining (through financial administration penalities) and prosecuting offenders


                 


Compliance Risk Register

The Compliance Risk Register provides focus for enforcement activities and is a keystone document forming part of the Compliance and Enforcement Plan. The Register will identify priorities for enforcement based responses enabling operational plans that will be delivered that make the best use of resources and provide the best possible protection regarding sea fisheries sustainability and the marine environment. The risk based approach reflects the different fishing activities which occur at different times, making it easier to indentify the priorities for enforcement for each quarter of the year commencing 1st April 2013.

Click here to see a copy of the Compliance Risk Register


Compliance and Enforcement Plan

This document sets out the Authority's approach to achieving compliance and provides information about the general principles the Authority will follow.

Click here to see a copy of the Sussex IFCA Compliance and Enforcement Plan


Financial Administration Penalty

Since 6th April 2012, in the event of any infringements, IFCAs have the option to issue a Financial Administrative Penalty (FAP) as an alternative to a criminal prosecution. A guidance document explaining how the Authority will implement this option has been produced.

Click here to see a copy of the Sussex IFCA FAP Guidance Document


Code of Conduct for Inspections

The Authority has set out a Code of Conduct for officers carrying out inspections. The Code also explains the obligations of people being inspected.

Click here to see a copy of the Sussex IFCA Inspection Code of Conduct