The Heritage Alliance has responded to DEFRA’s call for evidence on ‘Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities’ conduct and operation’ between 2014 and 2018.
IFCAs were established in April 2011 as a new type of regulator to work with stakeholder groups to achieve the common long-term goal and vision of healthy seas providing ‘ecosystem services’ for the future.
The information gathered in the call for evidence will be used to compile a statutory report into the conduct and operation of IFCAs that the Secretary of State is obliged to lay before Parliament every four years. It is anticipated that the next report will be released in 2019.
In the consultation, DEFRA highlights what it terms ‘five high level objectives’ against which IFCAs will be assessed. These objectives (or ‘success criteria’) focus on how IFCAs:
- Are seen within their wider community, if they work jointly and collaboratively with partner organisations and contribute to the development of regional and national marine policy;
- Make appropriate and effective use of assets and comply with Regulatory requirements; if their enforcement practices meets clear standards of conduct and skill;
- Manage well their local fisheries resources and meet their environmental obligations;
- Appoint their general committee members on merit; if funding is used appropriately and transparently; and
- Train their staff, if staff are appropriately skilled and whether they can make fair management decisions and engage in relevant research.
Broadly speaking, IFCAs appear reasonably open to heritage concerns. However, IFCAs and marine heritage would benefit from increased investment to allow more attention to be given to the sector so that our irreplaceable marine heritage is not lost.
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