Written evidence submitted by the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (FSH0143)

Written evidence submitted by the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities on behalf of the ten Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs). Due to the short time deadlines for the submission the views expressed are those of the Association and not necessarily those of the ten individual English IFCAs.

 

  1. Introduction:

The ten IFCAs were launched in April 2011 following the introduction of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MaCAA). These authorities replaced the Sea Fisheries Committees (SFCs) which had been in existence for 120 years. The MaCAA details an extended remit of the IFCAs over the SFCs to become the lead regulator for fisheries and conservation in the 0-6 nautical mile inshore zone. IFCA are stand-alone regulatory bodies funded by local authorities. Defra supports the local authorities who fund IFCAs through ‘new burdens’ funding. The IFCAs work closely with stakeholders to achieve our shared vision to 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. As local regulators we support inshore sustainable fisheries and the IFCAs believe that by engaging at a local level in order to assist with the delivery of UK marine policy we provide a cost efficient and effective method of regulation. The IFCAs have over 30 vessels carrying out enforcement, monitoring and surveillance with over 1400 days at sea per year. The IFCAs are joint committees of the funding authorities. The structure and makeup of the individual IFCAs can be found in the Association report entitled “The Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities 2011 to 2015” published on the Association website:  http://www.association-ifca.org.uk/news/the-ifcas-2011-2015-achievements-and-success. In addition, MaCCA requires the Secretary of State for the environment to present a report to Parliament every four years. The first report entitled “IFCA Conduct and Operations 2010 to 2014” was presented to parliament in March 2015 and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/413425/ifca-review-2010-2014.pdf. The MaCCA also makes provision for the IFCAs to set up a national body to represent the ten IFCAs and as such the Association of IFCAs was set up in June 2011. The Association has a full time Chief Executive and a part time Administrative and finance assistant and reports to a Board of Directors nominated from the IFCAs. Details of the Association can be found on the Association website: www.association-ifca.org.uk.

 

  1. The AIFCA evidence submitted primarily reflects the perspectives and needs of inshore fisheries and marine environmental management, the communities they serve and the marine environment upon which they depend. Inshore in the context of this response is within 12 nautical mile territorial waters. Inshore fisheries can be considered in the context of commercial and recreational vessels that largely operate both within IFCA limits (6 nautical mile) and territorial boundaries. From the perspective of scale this comprises to a large extent of vessels below approximately 12 metres in overall length.

 

  1. In recognition of the present EU negotiations and development of new domestic law the AIFCA published a policy document to provide support and advice to Government, ‘Opportunities for Inshore Fisheries and Marine Environment; Future Management in England’. This policy paper outlines the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority’s (IFCAs) collective recommendations for inshore fisheries management reform following the EU referendum and subsequent negotiations. As existing inshore fisheries managers for English coastal waters, IFCA’s are well placed to highlight and identify opportunities to reform, develop and enhance the fisheries resources, the commercial industry and the marine environment. http://www.association-ifca.org.uk/Upload/IFCA%20future-management-Final%20.pdf

 

 

  1. The AIFCA understands the scope of the proposed Fisheries Bill has yet to be fully defined by Government.  It therefore provides a unique opportunity to establish a legal framework enabling a positive future for sustainable commercial and recreational marine fisheries, the marine environment and the communities that depend upon them. The legislation will need to reflect the Government’s existing aspirations within the current marine policy statement and the successes to date in achieving both international and domestic objectives through existing legislation, management and societal support. For example, the recent Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 was the culmination of many years of thought and careful involvement by numerous parties; a new Fisheries Act has an opportunity to build upon this sound domestic legislation.

 

  1. Key Question: What are the key issues the Government should address within their White Paper on UK fisheries?

 

  1. The AIFCA recognises that the Bill’s contents may be significantly influenced by the outcome of on-going EU Exit negotiations and developing Government policy on the future management of both marine fisheries and the marine environment. The scope of the legislation appears considerable to the AIFCA as such it regards the following as key issues.

 

 

  1. Access & Resource Allocation

Opportunities exist within fisheries reform for the reallocation of fisheries resources, maximising the economic and socio-economic benefits as well as the viability of the English inshore fishing fleet through improved diversification and access options within territorial waters and beyond. The implementation of the CFP has negatively impacted the inshore fleet; limiting access options, reducing diversification opportunities and has concentrated effort on non-TAC species such as shellfish.

 

  1. Fisheries resources should be allocated with consideration of socio-economic, economic and environmental factors, whilst realising the potential of natural capital and supporting blue growth. Protection for vulnerable inshore fishing communities with limited fishing opportunities should be prioritised and promoted.

 

  1. Protection of Existing Regulations

The extent and detail of marine fisheries and environmental legislation developed during the UK’s membership of the EU is comprehensive, complex and interwoven with domestic legislation. In terms of practical application of regulations in the 0-6 nautical mile zone, the IFCAs are closely involved in both fisheries and environmental management. It is essential to identify and protect existing EU and other non-domestic legislation that provide existing security for inshore fisheries and protection for the marine environment. The Association would draw the committee’s attention to the evidence submitted by the Association to the “MPA revisited” Environment Audit Committee.

 

  1. Trading

Ensuring inshore fisheries and the communities are adequately protected in respect to future trading arrangements should be given due regard. Inshore fisheries comprise a significant component of the fleet and its landings. Shellfish mollusc and crustacean species makes up a large proportion of inshore landings that are commonly exported to the EU. For example, within the North East IFCA District alone over 3,800 tonnes of live lobster and crab are currently landed per annum with 90% exported to near continent markets.

 

  1. The potential impact of future negative trading arrangements in live and processed fishery products could have an extremely detrimental effect on the economics of inshore fisheries and associated coastal communities.

 

  1. In supporting relevant future changes in trading arrangements there needs to be legal mechanisms to enable investment in administrative infrastructure to enable the effective and efficient certification of fisheries related exports both live and processed.

 

  1. Collaboration

There should be a continued principle to work collectively with other states through EU structures and ICES to understand the conditions of stocks and management recommendations and objectives. Existing stock sustainability objectives and targets should not be compromised, basic principles on the best use of shared evidence and suitably medium to long term strategies for the management of biological resources. Much of fisheries and environmental management is a multinational endeavour given the movement marine life and our common seas.

 

  1. Stock Management

The guiding principles of sustainable stocks, reference points, MSY targets and protection of vulnerable habitats and species from damaging activities are recognised, valued and embedded in current management.   Sound evidence should remain at the heart of management decisions and be scaled accorded to needs such that mobile and transboundary stocks remain well managed and localised stocks are afforded detailed management. Opportunities exist to improve legislation requiring assessment and management of non-TAC stocks. Supported in law there needs to be underpinning investment in infrastructure to support the effective monitoring, assessment and management of all stocks in UK waters.

 

  1. Natural Capital

The new legislation needs to recognise that Natural Capital and the principles of ecosystem management should underpin and be central to the future direction of regional fisheries and marine environmental management. Where possible, this should ensure that the long term maximum socio-economic benefits are realised from the marine environment and the fisheries it supports.

 

  1. Sectoral Government Grant Support

Suitable structures will need to be introduced that replace the existing European Maritime Fisheries Fund. This provides essential support for the inshore sector and the associated communities and in turn enables government to better influence positive change within the industry that reflects policy needs

 

  1. Inshore Management

Monitoring and compliance responsibilities could be more cost effectively delivered through full incorporation into an expanded IFCA regional management model reflecting local decision making and engagement. This would support more efficient deployment of resources and strengthen national enforcement capacity.  Overlapping enforcement duties with the Marine Management Organisation and Environment Agency could be incorporated into the IFCA model as lead inshore fisheries managers within the 12nm, delivering more cost-effective and efficient enforcement, whilst maintaining existing service levels.

 

  1. Conclusion:

The Association believes that EU exit represents an opportunity to maximise growth and opportunities for the inshore fleet. We believe that the work of the IFCAs in engaging and working with local communities and stakeholders provides an exemplar model for inshore fisheries. The principle of local ownership and decision making while working with Defra and Defra group needs to be considered in the White Paper in UK fisheries. The Association and the IFCAs are committed to engaging and assisting where possible during the process of negotiating and delivering EU Exit and moving to the UK becoming an independent coastal state.

 

 

November 2017