The Association is working with Defra to ensure that the Marine and Coastal Access Bill now in Parliament delivers the Government's stated intentions. The Marine and Coastal Access Bill can be viewed through the defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/fisheries/index.htm In accordance with the Bill, the Sea Fisheries Committees will be wound up and their functions together with a range of modern powers and duties will be taken on in England by new Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities. DEFRA has consulted about the geographical extent of these IFCAs. For more information see http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/fisheries/index.htm. The Minister (Mr Huw Irranca-Davies) announced to the House of Commons during the Report Stage of the Bill on 26 October 2009 that he had decided that there would be 10 IFCAs and that they will operate in England from 1 April 2011.
Cornwall
Devon and Severn – covering the Devon Channel and Severn coastal waters including the waters between the Devon/Somerset border and the boundary with Wales at Chepstow.
Eastern – covering the coastal waters from Lincolnshire to Essex
Isles of Scilly
Kent and Essex
Southern – covering the coastal waters from Sussex to Devon
Sussex
North West England – covering the coastal waters from the Dee to the Solway
Northumberland
North Eastern – covering the coastal waters from the Tyne to Lincolnshire.
In Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government has announced that it will take all fisheries management and enforcement functions in house from 1 April 2010. At that date the South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee and the North Wales section of the North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committees will cease to exist.
You can contact the Association at info@asfc.org.uk