Sussex Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority UK model of

Sussex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority UK model of inshore management Inshore Fisheries Forums Networking Event Galway Ireland 3 rd March 2016 Tim Dapling M. Sc. MIFM Chief Fisheries & Conservation Officer

Content • The Marine & Coastal Access Act 2009 – Legal framework for English inshore marine fisheries and MPA management • The Authority the duties, funding and organisational structure • Primary activities • Sussex IFCA marine assets • Sussex inshore fisheries – Example oyster management • Marine conservation management – Example Kingmere MCZ • Understanding the inshore marine environment • Compliance management for inshore fisheries • Our planning, reporting and communications

The Marine & Coastal Access Act 2009 Management of Inshore Fisheries (Part 6. ) The establishment of IFC Districts & Authorities, their duties & powers Core Duties Section 153. Sustainable exploitation of sea fisheries resources and balancing socio economic needs. Section 154. Protection of marine conservation zones Further Duties 172. 173. 174. 175. 178. 179. Photo source S. Batten, 2008 Development of fisheries Provision of services by IFC authorities Duty of co-operation Collection of Statistics Annual Plan Annual Report

IFCAs, the national picture • 10 IFCAs - Statutory • 1 AIFCA – Non Statutory • English coast – including Isles of Scilly • Upper tier constituent Local Authority landward boundaries • Estuaries to tidal limit including all sea fish except migratory fish • 6 nm seaward from territorial baseline

Authority Membership Structure, Staffing & Funding The Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order 2010 No. 2199 Sussex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation District Sussex is one of 10 IFCAs Characteristics; small, high species diversity, high coastal pop. and activity levels Membership of IFCAs Sussex IFCA 21 members 7 ‘Constituent Council appointees’ 11 Marine Management Organisation appointed members 3 Officers from: MMO, Environment Agency & Natural England Staff Approx. 10 FTE Multi-disciplinary team Marine biologists/ecologists, compliance, marine operations Authority Funding Levying body funded by, East & West Sussex CC & Brighton & Hove CC Budget circ. £ 750, 000/annum

Sussex IFCA Seaward Jurisdiction

Primary activities • Development of Inshore Management Regime – Planning and implementation – Management instruments • Research & Evidence Provision TO INFORM MANAGEMENT DECISIONS – Strategic and annual planning – Best available evidence – Partnership working maximising capacity • Compliance to Management System – Risk based: threat to stock, juveniles and environment – Education/Sanctions: warning/FAP/Prosecution? – Joint working: MMO, EA, GLA, Police

IFCA Marine Assets FPV Merlin Rapid response/Shallow water capacity Length o. a. 8. 00 m Beam: 2. 60 m Gross weight: 2780 kg Draught: 0. 56 m Fuel Capacity: 1 x 300 litre Power Unit: Volvo Penta D 4 300 HP, Hamilton water jet drive FPV Watchful Specialist Inshore Enforcement/Research Length o. a. 18. 35 m Beam: 5. 20 m Draught: 1. 5 m Tonnage/s: GRT 42 Boarding tender Delta 550 D/Mercruiser D 1. 7 L

Optimising Marine Activity Compliance & Research c. 13, 000 sightings c. 800 sea patrols Raw data (2004 -2011)

Scope of inshore fisheries management: The diversity of inshore fishing activities Mobile Gears: Trawling (e. g. otter, beam, pelagic, multi rigging) Dredging (scallop, mussel, cockle, oyster etc. ) Seining Static Gears: Netting (e. g. , trammel, gill) Potting (lobster, crab, whelk, nephrops, prawn/shrimp) Traps (finfish, cuttlefish) Lining Gathering: Intertidal fisheries mechanised or by hand Recreational: Angling, potting & netting

The Past 1893…. Establishment of previous inshore managers (Sussex sea fisheries Committee) Fishing vessels on Brighton Beach, 1800’s.

Increasing mechanisation ‘Technological Creep’

Spatial extent of fishing activity Sussex IFCA District Clearly wide Spread throughout District

Spatial distribution of specific activities (relative effort Sussex District) Scallop Dredging Beam Trawling Lobster & Crab potting

Native Oyster (Ostrea edulis) Management Permit Byelaw Dredge Fishery, Chichester Harbour

Byelaw management measures • • • Annual Permit £ 200 Technical Gear Restrictions (dredge width/weight/design) Zoned management Harvest Control Threshold CPUE kg/m/hr 2015 season 25 MT/£ 100, 000 over 5 days

Protecting the marine environment Section 154. Protection of marine conservation zones Photo source; Alex Holmes

MCZ protected features Image source © Hanson and UMD, 2008.

Research & Evidence Provision ‘TO INFORM MANAGEMENT DECISIONS’

The influence of marine geology on the environment James, J. W. C. , et. al. South Coast Regional Environmental Characterisation. British Geological Survey.

Mapping Seabed Classification

Seabed diversity

Life form diversity

Marine fisheries legislation enforced by IFCAs • European Legislation – Common Fisheries Policy & EU Regulation: Technical Measures EC 850/98 e. g. minimum sizes, dimensions of nets Not responsible for quota management • National Legislation – Statutory Instruments: e. g. Bass Nursery Areas • Local Legislation (6 nm from Territorial baseline points) – IFCA Byelaws Managing – size of vessels, methods, seasons, fishing equipment, restricted areas.

Byelaw Example of netting regulations • Between 1 st May and 30 th September inclusive • Six key sites outlined; – Rye, Cuckmere, Newhaven, Brighton, Shoreham, Littlehampton • 400 m either side of named point, 200 m from lowest astronomical tide (LAT)

Annual Planning & Reporting

The IFCA Vision “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 a viable industry. ” Thank you www. sussex-ifca. gov. uk