Beachy Head East MCZ
Informal Consultation
The Sussex IFCA has recently held six workshops during February 2023 for members of coastal communities including commercial and recreational fishers. The meetings were in part facilitated by the Marine Conservation Society, who have previously worked with the Sussex IFCA on informal consultation processes for Marine Conservation Zones. The workshops were held in Eastbourne, Bexhill and Hastings, although attendees came from some fishing communities further away in Rye and Newhaven.
The purpose of the consultation workshops was to commence engagement on future fisheries management measures within Beachy Head East Marine Conservation Zone.
As part of its Annual Plan the Sussex IFCA intends to develop fisheries management byelaw regulations during 2023, and formally consult on them in the latter part of the year.
The in-person informal workshops were well attended and provided the following:
- An explanation of the Sussex IFCA's duties to manage fisheries within the MCZ site
- The communities' views on what the MCZ could look like in future
- Individuals concerns in respect to both fisheries and other matters associated with the MCZ
- An understanding of existing management by Sussex IFCA within the site
- Consideration of potential management options for bottom towed gears (demersal trawls and scallop dredging) within the site
- An opportunity to provide detailed information on where they currently fished within the MCZ
For individuals who are interested in fisheries management measures within the MCZ and were unable to attend the workshops, the Sussex IFCA is providing a “Beachy Head East MCZ Information Sheet”, which can be accessed below and includes the key points presented in the workshops, including the proposed management options. Once the information sheet has been reviewed, the Sussex IFCA invite you to submit a response to a questionnaire, which includes the opportunity to express a preference for the proposed management options and can also be accessed below.
Please note: This survey can be filled in online or printed and filled in by hand. For online surveys please follow the link to Survey Monkey. If you choose to download the questionnaire and fill it in by hand please return either a scanned copy to the Sussex IFCA by email – admin@sussex-ifca.gov.uk , or return the physical copy of the survey by post – Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, 12A Riverside Business Centre, Brighton Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 6RE. If you would like assistance filling out the Questionnaire, please contact the Sussex IFCA on 01273 454407.
All responses will be treated confidentially and subject to General Data Protection Regulations.
The deadline for submissions is 05/04/2023.
BHE MCZ Information Sheet Survey Monkey - BHE MCZ Questionnaire BHE MCZ Questionnaire Download 
