A major new study recognises the achievements and challenges in the delivery of regional co-management of England’s inshore seas. ‘The Conversations with the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA)’ project interviewed over seventy IFCA staff and authority members during 2023/24 to capture their reflections on how IFCAs are doing.
One of the biggest changes IFCAs would like to see, alongside more secure long-term funding, is greater recognition of their value and contribution by central government and the wider public. The report states that ‘neglect of what is currently done well by IFCAs is both a missed opportunity to celebrate what is working, and a risk, lest IFCAs be sidelined by re-invented models rather than the proven to work infrastructure already in place.’
Photo: Jeremy Stewardson
The report draws eight main conclusions:
- IFCAs are delivering balanced and evidence-based management in our English inshore waters.
- IFCAs have implemented effective management of inshore MPAs in relation to fishing activities.
- IFCAs are delivering effective regional co-management.
- The IFCA remit to balance multiple claims over the sea is fundamental to co-management but has implications for how IFCAs are perceived and evaluated.
- Impacts of inadequate IFCA funding.
- IFCAs conduct effective stakeholder engagement and value their autonomy and stewardship over the management process.
- There are opportunities to strengthen collaboration and partnership between IFCAs and other organisations and to achieve greater consistency across IFCAs in generic areas of activity where a joined-up approach is beneficial.
- Current lack of understanding and recognition of the value of IFCA contribution to regional co-management is a missed opportunity and risk.
The report concludes with a pathway to change looking at how to strengthen IFCA capacities can help support sustainable growth in our coastal waters. The report’s author, Dr Sarah Coulthard is quoted as saying “this report is a pathway to support IFCAs to become the best version of themselves and highlights the type of investment required to do that. Not all of that support is about more funding. It is also about greater coordination and accountability internally, and more recognition and respect externally; these are co-dependent changes.”
The AIFCA Chief Officer, Robert Clark welcomed the report, saying; “Interviewees related a breadth of experiences regarding how authorities function, in terms of articulating strengths, challenges and possible solutions. IFCAs see their members as their core strength, the report examines the motivations of members to join the IFCA and the benefits that members have gained through their IFCA experience. This report provides an exceptionally valuable framework through which the IFCAs can support coastal fishing communities and deliver sustainable growth in our coastal waters.”