Compliance


To achieve compliance with fisheries regulations that underpin the sustainable fisheries and conservation features in Sussex District, Sussex IFCA encourages fishers to voluntarily comply with fisheries laws, and ensures that there is an effective deterrent against non-compliance. The IFCA raises awareness and understanding of regulations and the overarching sustainability and conservation goals that they aim to achieve.

Getting more stakeholders involved in the development of fisheries management allows greater understanding and compliance with the rules. It also ensures that those rules are appropriate to the fisheries. Through our local management and funding structures, the Sussex IFCA helps to get local authorities, communities, businesses, and individual citizens involved in the protection and enhancement of their inshore fisheries and marine environment.

A risk-based approach is applied to enforcement activity: targeting specific fisheries activities at particular times of the year, with effective monitoring and surveillance through land and sea-based patrols. Sussex IFCA works in partnership with other organisations which includes the Marine Management Organisation, Environment Agency, Police, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Environmental Health Organisation and Food Standards Agency.

Compliance and Enforcement Plan

We carry out a planned range of compliance and enforcement activity. Our plan is risk based, such that we target work at locations and times for maximum effect. We continuously collect intelligence which helps target our shore patrols and sea patrol.

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Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes

This notice is intended to provide information on the method of measurement of finfish, crustacea and molluscs with the Sussex IFCA District.

Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes

Enforcement Actions

We will use appropriate and proportionate action to ensure compliance with regulations. The range of enforcement tools which the Authority may use are set out in this factsheet. Where compliance is not achieved and a breach of legislation has been identified, there are a number of different enforcement actions that may be applied, depending on the severity of the offence. Verbal Warnings, Advisory Letters and Official Written Warnings may be issued for less serious offences, whereas more serious fisheries offences may result in Financial Administrative Penalties* (FAPs) and Prosecutions. 

*Since 6th April 2011, IFCAs have had the option to issue a Financial Administrative Penalty (FAP) as an alternative to a criminal prosecution. The Authority may consider issuing a FAP based on a number of factors, and where the offence may be classed as a 'penalty offence' See the full guidance below. 

Factsheet FAP Guidance

Inspection Code of Conduct

This nationally developed Code of Conduct should be read in conjunction with other statutory and policy requirements.

Code of Conduct

Body Worn Camera Policy

Sussex IFCA follow a Body-Worn Camera policy with procedural guidelines for the use of body-worn video cameras in fisheries enforcement. This policy enables officers to comply with the relevant legislation relating to video recording and follow best practice procedures with regards to the security and use of data, images and videos.

Policy

Spearfishing Code of Conduct

This code of conduct is a voluntary regulatory framework established by the Sussex IFCA in conjunction with the British Spearfishing Association and the Sussex Spearfishing Club.

Code of Conduct

Bass Nursery Areas

Fisheries Regulations for Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) within Chichester Harbour

Information to Fishers

Our Address

Sussex IFCA
12A Riverside Business Centre
Brighton Rd
Shoreham-by-Sea
West Sussex
BN43 6RE

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Contact Us

Telephone: 01273 454407
Fax: 01273 464668
Email: admin@sussex-ifca.gov.uk
Shellfish Permit Enquiries: database@sussex-ifca.gov.uk

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