NIFCA STATUS
INDICATORS
DELIVERING SC5
A
Demonstrate progress that has been made towards identifying its evidence needs by publishing a research plan each year. Publish a research report annually that demonstrates how evidence has supported decision making. The IFCA’s contribution to TAG and progress that has been made towards a national evidence needs programme will be recorded in the IFCA’s Annual Report.
Throughout 2025–26, NIFCA published an Annual Research Plan setting out key workstreams and priorities for the year, with progress reported both in this Annual Report and to the Authority’s Technical and Scientific Subcommittee. At the national level, NIFCA continued to contribute to the IFCA Technical Advisory Group (TAG) through regular attendance at meetings. The Lead Environmental Officer also served as vice-chair of the group until November 2025, ensuring that NIFCA’s expertise and district perspective were reflected in national policy and technical discussions. Regular engagement with Natural England supported the assessment of fisheries interactions with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), including the production of Habitats Regulation Assessments (HRAs) and Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) assessments. As in previous years, data collected under the Annual Research Plan has been shared with ERIC NE (Environmental Records Information Centre North East) and all research and monitoring reports are published on the NIFCA website, making information accessible to the wider research community and strengthening the evidence base for marine management.
B
C
CLICK HERE FOR 25-26 ANNUAL RESEARCH PLAN
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