Welcome to Sussex IFCA


Inshore fisheries and conservation authorities 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 viable industry.

Latest News

Beachy Head East Marine Conservation Zone - Statutory Consultations

Notice is hereby given that Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority intends to apply to the Minister for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to revoke the ‘Marine Protected Areas Byelaw 2017’ and to confirm the ‘Marine Protected Areas Byelaw 2023’.  

The Marine Protected Areas Byelaw 2023 retains established management measures for four Marine Protected Areas through existing Schedules 1-4, but includes the addition of a fifth Schedule, relating solely to the area designated as Beachy Head East Marine Conservation Zone. The proposed Marine Protected Areas Byelaw 2023 Schedule 5 will protect sensitive species and habitats by introducing a zonal approach to managing fishing activities within Beachy Head East Marine Conservation Zone, including exclusion of ‘towed-gear’ from part of the site.

Any person wishing to comment; object or approve on the confirmation of the above byelaw and the provisions within Schedule 5 (the existing Schedules 1, 2, 3 and 4 are not subject to change or consultation) must make representations in writing by Friday 6th October 2023.

Live Consultations

IFCA Committee Member Vacancy

The MMO has a general member vacancy in the Sussex IFCA. We will be seeking to appoint to fill this vacancy and create a reserve list for any future vacancies.

This voluntary role requires a candidate who can take a balanced approach to caring for our seas, assessing the priority and importance of all users and stakeholders. It is essential that candidates have a good local knowledge of the IFCA area for which they are applying. The members of the IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of their IFCA district.

For more information about the voluntary position and how to apply, please use the link below or head to the jobs/vacancies page. 

Find out more

Annual Report 

The Sussex IFCA Annual Report for the period April 2021 - March 2022 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.

Annual Report

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. 

Ghost Fishing

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

Oyster Season 2022 Closure

Following recent stock assessment of the Chichester Harbour oyster beds, we have issued a formal notice of closure.

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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

Help Our Kelp Read More

Bass Regulations for Commercial and Recreational Fishing

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

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National IFCA News

To find out more about IFCA news across the country see the Association of IFCAs website below

AIFCA
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