NIFCA STATUS
INDICATORS
DELIVERING SC3
Record site-specific management considerations for Marine Protected Areas & report progress to the Authority. Publish data analysis & evidence supporting new management measures, on its website. Provide management information (e.g. sampling &/or survey results) which will be collected periodically after new management measures have been implemented, to demonstrate the extent of effectiveness of the intervention. Have developed a range of criteria-based management options that are explained to stakeholders through the IFCA website & reviewed by 31 March annually. New IFCA management measures selected for development and implementation are delivered within agreed timescales. The IFCA will include shared agreed objectives and actions from Fisheries Management Plans in its own Annual Plan, which will be published by 31 March each year. Progress made in relevant Fisheries Management Plan areas, including Maximum Sustainable Yield commitments, will be noted in the IFCA’s Annual Report.
NIFCA works under an Annual Research Plan which sets out the evidence collection for ensuring management measures are appropriate for the sustainable exploitation of sea fisheries resources and to deliver marine environmental protection. Site specific management measures for MPAs are recorded and reported to the Authority. All commercial fishing activity has been assessed within MPAs and is monitored annually through out Monitoring and Control plans. Any significant changes in fishing activity or in the protected feature triggers a reassessment of fishing activity within the MPA. There is an adaptive management plan in place for Coquet to St Mary’s MCZ which is updated annually. In 2025-26, working with members, the adaptive management plan for the site was updated. Underpinning this management plan is the use of REM (Remote Electronic Monitoring) to accurately determine the spatial footprint and intensity of fishing in the MCZ through GPS trackers and gear sensors fitted to trawl doors. All supporting information used in creating the plan is publicly available on the NIFCA website . Continuous monitoring programmes for key fisheries were maintained, with findings reported to Authority members (see Fisheries and Monitoring section for further detail). Monitoring programmes are linked to existing management for key fisheries to provide an understanding of the stock status under current management. When management changes were considered, options were presented to members and discussed with key stakeholders through both formal decision-making and informal consultation processes, ensuring transparency and engagement at every stage. All data analysis is published on the NIFCA website in report form. NIFCA continued to engage in the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) process and both consulted on draft plans and work with partners in the implementation of existing plans.
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