The Secretary of State must prepare a statutory report into the conduct and operation of the ten Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA’s) every four years, which must be laid before Parliament.

This third report covers the period from September 2018 to September 2022.  The report will assess the IFCA’s against their five high level objectives set out in the IFCA Vision and Success Criteria document set out in the 2014-2018 Conduct and Operations Report on the IFCAs.

Photo: Zoltan Tasi

Success Criterion 1: Communications and Engagement

• IFCAs are recognised and heard, balancing the economic needs of the fishery whilst working in partnership and engaging with stakeholders.

Success Criterion 2: Compliance and Enforcement

• IFCAs implement a fair, effective, and proportionate enforcement regime.

Success Criterion 3: Management measures

• IFCAs use evidence based and appropriate measures to manage the sustainable exploitation of sea fisheries resources and deliver marine environmental protection within their districts.

Success Criterion 4: Governance and Training

• IFCAs have appropriate governance in place and staff are trained and professional.

Success Criterion 5: Evidence and Science

• IFCAs make the best use of evidence to deliver their objectives.

We anticipate that the final report will be presented to Parliament in 2024.

Your opportunity to contribute to the report

The Citizen Space consultation is aimed at representatives of organisations who wish to provide a coordinated response, as well as for members of the public.

If you work closely with just one or a small number of IFCAs a different survey tailored for specific groups is available.  Please contact ifca.consultations@defra.gov.uk if you consider that the additional survey would be more appropriate for your use.

Further information on the consultation can be found here.