News story

Exciting opportunity to manage inshore fisheries and conservation (IFCA)

The MMO has several current and upcoming general member vacancies in the ten regional IFCAs across England. We will be seeking to appoint to fill current vacancies and create a reserve list for upcoming vacancies.

From:: Marine Management Organisation
Published: 23 December 2021

These voluntary roles require candidates who can take a balanced approach to caring for our seas, assessing the priority and importance of all users and stakeholders. It is essential that candidates have a good local knowledge of the IFCA area for which they are applying. The members of the IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of their IFCA district.

The MMO are also accepting applications from both current and former IFCA general members who are nearing the end of their ten-year term as well as those members who have left having already served a ten-year term. Applications from these members will be considered alongside all other applicants in a fair an open competitive process and appointed on merit to ensure a fair balance of sector representation.

The role of an IFCA General Member

The members of the IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of the inshore marine area of their IFCA district. Appointees to IFCAs are legally required to consider all the local fishing and marine conservation interests in the waters of the IFCA district in a balanced way, taking full account of the needs of the IFCA district. Appointees should recognise that they are part of a committee and should not regard themselves as representing solely one area of particular interest within the IFCA district.

As an IFCA General Member you will have the opportunity to contribute your knowledge and experience to committee meetings helping to shape and direct the work of the IFCA.

This membership puts local people in the driving seat of fisheries management and is an exciting opportunity to shape the development of inshore fisheries in your region.

As a member of an IFCA committee you will work in a team with others, helping to ensure that:

the use of sea fisheries resources is carried out in a sustainable way and is balanced with the need to protect the marine environment or promote its recovery from, the effects of exploitation
the different needs of those engaged in the exploitation of sea fisheries and marine resources are balanced
the conservation objectives of marine conservation zones are achieved

Although these appointments are unpaid some local authorities pay expenses and allowances.

We seek to achieve a balanced membership across various interest groups, including but not limited to those with commercial, recreational, and environmental interests. To assist in maintaining this balance the MMO seek to appoint the following.

Cornwall IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly from those working in the commercial fishing sector and marine environment to fill upcoming vacancies.

Devon & Severn IFCA

Welcome applications from anyone with a willingness to engage with the IFCA in their work in undertaking the management of fisheries within their district.

Eastern IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly from those working in the commercial fishing sector on the East coast of Norfolk and Suffolk which we feel are underrepresented at this time.

Isles of Scilly IFCA

Welcome applications from candidates that have a good local knowledge of the IFCA area and a willingness to engage with the IFCA in their work in undertaking the management of fisheries within their district.

Kent & Essex IFCA

Welcome applications from anyone with a willingness to engage with the IFCA in their work in undertaking the management of fisheries within their district. In particular we encourage applications from the recreational angling sector and active commercial fishermen who are currently under-represented on the IFCA.

North Eastern IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly those with a background in Marine Environment and good knowledge of the local IFCA area.

North Western IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly from those with a conservation or marine environment background and a good understanding of the local issues in the area.

Northumberland IFCA

Welcomes applications from candidates willing to support the NIFCA and positively embrace the challenges that new legislation and fisheries plans will bring. Applications are welcome from all sectors but especially from recreational fishing communities.

Southern IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly from those with a background in the commercial fishing or recreational angling sector and with a good knowledge of the local IFCA area.

Sussex IFCA

Welcomes applications from individuals with a good knowledge of the local Sussex coastal area. Applications from persons within commercial and recreational fishing sectors, as well as science and environmental backgrounds are encouraged. Applicants should have a willingness to positively engage with both IFCA member and officer colleagues; to support the Authority’s duties to develop sustainable inshore fisheries and marine environmental protection within the district. The Sussex IFCA provides eligible allowances and travel expenses to its members.

Digital Application Form

PDF, 244 KB, 8 pages

Printable Application Form

PDF, 314 KB, 8 pages

Candidate Pack

PDF, 909 KB, 9 pages

Terms and Conditions

PDF, 143 KB, 3 pages

To apply please complete and submit an application form no later than 31 January 2022. Applications forms should be emailed to [email protected] or posted to IFCA Recruitment, Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YH.

Should you have any questions about the recruitment process please contact the Marine Management Organisation on 0300 123 1032.

Should you wish to find out more about the role of an IFCA general member or require assistance with completion of your application form please contact your local IFCA Office by telephone or email of speak to your local IFCA Officer.