Conversations with the IFCA
2 Effective MPA management inshore
In our inshore seas, IFCA delivery of Defra’s revised approach (2014-2024) to MPA management has involved a meticulous navigation of balance between effective protection and maintaining a viable inshore fishery, using a combination of Natural England data and IFCAs’ own detailed evidence. In the last decade, IFCAs have assessed over 13,500 interactions between commercial fishing gear and designated European Marine Site features, implementing a diverse and often complex range of approaches to manage fishing activities in MPAs. This has included protection of 25.5% of England’s MPA network from bottom trawling through relevant IFCA byelaws, implemented on a case-by-case basis of demonstrable necessity. Where appropriate, and whenever possible, this process has enabled balanced, detailed and evidence-based management in place of broad-brush precautionary approaches. The cockle dredge fishery in Poole harbour, which achieved MSC status in a heavily protected marine site, and the adaptive management approach underway in Cromer, that is producing the evidence required to underpin continuing co-existence of the Cromer crab fishery alongside a fragile protected chalk bed reef, are two excellent examples of where IFCAs are achieving evidence-based balance. Given the widespread decline in our inshore fishing fleet across our coastal towns and villages, and the fact that over 50% of inshore waters are now designated as a protected area, finding co-existence for sustainable fisheries and effective marine conservation has never been so important. The effective management of MPAs by IFCAs is sometimes unappreciated by fishermen who are bearing the brunt of ever more regulation to their activities and fighting for their way of life.
“The IFCA do what they can to keep the fishery sustainable and going, but they’re all just battling…if they’re not battling Natural England, they’re battling with NGOs, the Environment Agency, government, everything’s a big battle….We’d be gone if it weren’t for the IFCA, industry would be finished, matter of fact. The trouble is that industry sees it as the IFCA imposing those limitations and closed areas on us, because it’s the IFCA telling them to do this, and do that, but they’re only doing that so that we can keep some form of fishery going, but the Industry don’t see that side of it”.
Commercial Fisherman Member, Interview 25
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