“We Need Sea Anglers”: IFCA General Member Applications Extended

The Marine Management Organisation have extended the deadline to apply to be an Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) General Member to Tuesday 28th February 2023. These voluntary roles require candidates “who can take a balanced approach to caring for our seas, assessing the priorities and needs of all users and stakeholders. It is essential that candidates have some local knowledge of the IFCA area for which they are applying. The members of the IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of their IFCA district.”

Many of the IFCAs are especially interested to hear from sea anglers to increase representation of the community within their district. More details can be found below.

The Angling Trust encourages interested members of the recreational sea angling community to apply for these local opportunities to share their knowledge and experience, shape local inshore fisheries management and offer views from a recreational sea angling perspective.

More information on this opportunity and how to apply can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/exciting-opportunity-to-participate-in-the-management-of-inshore-fisheries-and-marine-conservation

The following information is provided through the Marine Management Organisation webpage:

The role of an IFCA General Member

The general members of the IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of the inshore marine area of their IFCA district. Appointees to IFCAs are legally required to consider all the local fishing and marine conservation interests in the waters of the IFCA district in a balanced way, taking full account of the needs of the IFCA district. Appointees are appointed on this basis, and it is essential that they should recognise that they are part of a committee and should not regard themselves as representing solely one area of particular interest within the IFCA district.

As an IFCA General Member you will have the opportunity to contribute your knowledge and experience to shaping and directing the work of the IFCA.

This membership puts local people in the driving seat of fisheries management and is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of inshore fisheries in your region.

As a member of an IFCA committee you will work in a team with others, helping to ensure that:

• the use of sea fisheries resources is carried out in a sustainable way and is balanced with the need to protect the marine environment or promote its recovery from, the effects of exploitation
• the different needs of those engaged in the exploitation of sea fisheries and marine resources are balanced
• the conservation objectives of marine conservation zones are achieved

Although these appointments are unpaid some IFCAs pay expenses and allowances.

We seek to achieve a balanced membership across various interest groups, including but not limited to those with commercial, recreational, and environmental interests. To assist in maintaining this balance the MMO seek to appoint the following.

Cornwall IFCA

Welcomes applications from candidates that have a good local knowledge of the IFCA area and a willingness to engage with the IFCA in their work in undertaking the management of fisheries within their district.

Devon & Severn IFCA

Welcomes applications from anyone with a willingness to engage with the IFCA in their work in undertaking the management of fisheries within their district. Applications from the recreational fishing sector would be particularly welcomed.

Eastern IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly from those working in the science and environmental backgrounds, recreational fishing communities and commercial fisheries sector particularly those from the east of Norfolk and from Suffolk.

Isles of Scilly IFCA

Welcomes applications from candidates that have a good local knowledge of the IFCA area and a willingness to engage with the IFCA in their work in undertaking the management of fisheries within their district.

Kent & Essex IFCA

Welcome applications from anyone with a willingness to engage with the IFCA in their work in undertaking the management of fisheries within their district. In particular we encourage applications from the recreational angling sector and active commercial fishermen who are currently under-represented on the IFCA.

North Eastern IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly those from recreational fishing communities with good knowledge of the local IFCA area.

North Western IFCA

Welcomes applications from candidates that have a good local knowledge of the IFCA area and a willingness to engage with the IFCA in their work in undertaking the management of fisheries within their district. Applications are welcome from all sectors but especially from the commercial fishing industries.

Northumberland IFCA

Welcomes applications from candidates willing to support the NIFCA and positively embrace the challenges that new legislation and fisheries plans will bring. Applications are welcome from all sectors but especially from commercial fishing communities.

Southern IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly those representing commercial fishing or recreational sea angling, as well as applicants who have either a science or environmental background. Ideal applicants would have a good knowledge of the Southern IFCA district.

Applicants should have a willingness to positively engage with both IFCA members and officers and to support and champion Southern IFCA’s role in the development of sustainable inshore fisheries and provision of marine environmental protection within the district

Sussex IFCA

Welcomes applications from individuals with a good knowledge of the local Sussex coastal area. Applications from persons within commercial and recreational fishing sectors, as well as science and environmental backgrounds are encouraged. Applicants should have a willingness to positively engage with both IFCA member and officer colleagues; to support the Authority’s duties to develop sustainable inshore fisheries and marine environmental protection within the district. The Sussex IFCA provides eligible allowances and travel expenses to its members.