Welcome to Sussex IFCA

Kingmere MCZ Closed Season 

Under the Marine Protected Areas Byelaw (2017), the closed season for Kingmere MCZ begins on the 1 ^st of April and spans until the 30 ^th of June. The closure promotes protecting important spawning and breeding habitat as well as populations of black seabream, Spondyliosoma cantharus . Both commercial and recreational fishing activity is regulated during the closure, so to ensure your actions are compliant and for more details on the byelaw, read more below. 

5 Years of the Nearshore Trawling Byelaw

Sussex IFCA is celebrating five years of the Nearshore Trawling Byelaw, protecting 304 km² of nearshore seabed from towed fishing gears. 

The byelaw safeguards kelp beds, mussel beds, and chalk reefs, supporting species like bass, cuttlefish, and black seabream, while promoting sustainable fisheries. 

Annual Report 

The Sussex IFCA Annual Report for the period April 2024 - March 2025 is now available. 

The IFCA are required, under MaCAA '09, to produce an annual report, which seeks to provide an account of the work delivered during the previous reporting year. This report is sent to the Secretary of State annually following the end of the financial year.

FPV Osprey

The authority has recently acquired a new vessel to its fleet. Built as a tender to the FPV Watchful and a direct replacement for Delta One. The Osprey has been built to the highest standards and operates to facilitate the function of the Authorities Enforcement team. Stowed on the stern ramp of the FPV Watchful it acts as a boarding vessel to allow officers to board and inspect the numerous fishing vessels in the Authorities district.

Minimum Size (Fish, Crustacea and Mollusc) Byelaw 2021

The Sussex IFCA are happy to report that fish, crustacean and mollusc stocks will now receive greater protection in Sussex inshore waters, thanks to the introduction of a Byelaw designed to prevent the taking of juvenile or undersized fish and shellfish species. The Minimum Size (Fish, Crustacea and Mollusc) Byelaw 2021 has been approved by the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The new Byelaw applies to all fishers within the Sussex district, both commercial and recreational.

Hand Gathering (Restrictions and Permitting) Byelaw 2021

The Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority are pleased to report that the exploitation of sea fisheries resources within the District will receive enhanced management by ensuring the long-term sustainability of shore gathering activities on marine organisms, in the Sussex IFCA District intertidal areas. The Hand Gathering (Restrictions and Permitting) Byelaw 2021 has been approved by the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs The new Byelaw introduces bag limits for  various specified species, for anyone hand gathering within the Sussex IFCA district.

Elasmobranch Code of Conduct 

The Sussex IFCA Elasmobranch Voluntary Code of Conduct is now available. 

The information presented in the Code of Conduct is designed to inform fishers and promote size-based discards. However, the conservation challenges faced by elasmobranchs, and their interactions with recreational and commercial fisheries, provides impetus to employ catch-return methods whenever possible, regardless of size. Click the link below to read more. 
 

Consultation Outcomes: Netting Permit Byelaw 2019 

The second formal consultation for the amendments to the Sussex IFCA proposed Netting Permit Byelaw 2019 closed on 17th June 2024. Please refer to the links below to view the consultation outcomes and FAQs on the Byelaw and associated Flexible Permit Conditions. 

Netting Permit Byelaw 2019 FAQs Consultation Outcomes

General Member to IFCA Committees

The MMO have been given responsibility by DEFRA to manage the process of making appointments of General Members to IFCA Committees.

Fisheries Management Plan Blog

With the goal of making the development and implementation of FMPs more open, accessible and inclusive to all stakeholders, Defra has launched a new blog.  https://defrafmp.blog.gov.uk/

• Consulations
• What to expect this December
• Online Surveys
• Publications

Ghost Fishing

Ghost Fishing UK is a registered charity of volunteer scuba divers, trained in surveying and removing lost fishing gear from UK waters. If you or your vessel has accidently lost fishing gear, please follow the link below to report it. The gear can then be recovered and reunited to the owners, as quickly as possible. 

Oyster Fishery Closure

Following continued low density, and subsequent de-classification of the Chichester Harbour oyster beds, we have issued a formal notice of closure.

Bass Regulations for Commercial and Recreational Fishing

To protect the vulnerable bass population in European seas new regulation is in place.

Sussex Bay Sediment Research 

We’re proud to present and support the PhD work of Marianne Glascott, who is researching sediment levels in Sussex, and how this effects our flora and fauna. This will help generate the data necessary to inform better management of our sea resources. This work is undertaken in partnership with Sussex Kelp Recovery Project, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and other authorities in the District.

Sussex Bay Sediment Research

Restoring our Kelp Forests

Kelp forests are an essential fish habitat that we are seeking to restore through the management we have introduced, namely the Nearshore Trawling Byelaw. A short film about Sussex kelp forests can be viewed by clicking the Help Our Kelp link below