The new Association of IFCAs Challenges and Opportunities SAGB 43rd Annual Conference – 22nd May

Dr. Stephen Bolt, Chief Executive Officer

Outline

Background

IFCAs and the Association

Challenges and Opportunities

Step change in marine management

CFP

MPA

Other

Conclusion

Questions

The Marine Environment is unique and challenging

UK is a maritime country with a rich heritage

The seas provide multiple “ecosystem services”

UK national ecosystem Assessment

June 2011. – marine habitats provide a

range of ecosystem services and

benefits of significant value to UK

society including:

Food (fish & shellfish), reduction in

climate stress, genetic resources, blue

biotechnology, natural medicines,

fertiliser, coastal protection, waste

detoxification, pest control, tourism,

leisure and recreation opportunities.

Marine management – a step change?

Challenges (and opportunities):

Multiple uses and multiple agendas

Growing need to protect marine environment

Unsustainable global fisheries – failed CFP

Complex picture

Complex management and multiple stakeholders

Increasing tendency for legal challenge

Sound scientific knowledge patchy and expensive

Move to Integrated marine planning

Move to Ecosystem Services

Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authorities April 2011

A new type of regulator

New duties to include Conservation – additional “new burdens” money

English Coast – including Isles of Scilly

Local Authority landward boundaries

Estuaries to tidal limit including all sea fish except migratory fish

Out to 6 miles from baseline

IFCA vision

“Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities will lead, champion and manage a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries, by successfully securing the right balance between social, environmental and economic benefits to ensure healthy seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable industry.”

IFCA duties set out in MACAA

Work in partnership With Defra, MMO, NE, EA and other agencies

Manage marine resources sustainably

Balance all (not just fishing) interests

Protect and recover the marine environment using byelaws where needed

Further the objectives of marine protected areas

Develop fisheries

The Association of IFCAs – September 2011

Funded through Defra “New burdens”

The aim of the A-IFCA is to assist and promote the regional IFCAs to ensure that the authorities develop a leading and effective national role in fisheries and conservation management in line with the IFCA vision.

Engage with the regional IFCA Officers and members

Engage with Statutory bodies at a National level

Engage with other influential bodies such as fishery organizations (SAGB), NGOs etc

Promote the work of the IFCAs

Challenges – Step change in marine protection

Review of the Common Fisheries Policy Strong on intent

Weak on solutions

One size fits all does not work – support for localism/regionalism

IFCA model – bottom up regulation

Discards

Challenges – Step change in marine protection

Well managed coherent network of Marine Protected Areas by 2016 - >25% target European marine Sites

Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)

Special Protection Areas (SPAs)

Ramsar

SSSIs

Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs)

Water Framework Directive (WFD) Good Ecological Status to 1 mile via programme of measure

Marine Strategic Framework Directive

MPA network

Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Good Environmental Status by 2020

Programme of measures established 2015

Programme of measures implemented 2016

Good Environmental Status achieved by 2020(!)

11 descriptors to achieve GES

MSFD descriptors

1. Biological diversity

2. Non-indigenous species

3. Population of commercial fish / shell fish

4. Elements of marine food webs

5. Eutrophication

6. Sea floor integrity

7. Alteration of hydrographical conditions

8. Contaminants

9. Contaminants in fish and seafood for human consumption

10. Marine litter

11. Introduction of energy, including underwater noise

Other Challenges/opportunities

Climate change

Wind Farms

Other large scale sea uses

Marine Planning

CFP Aquaculture

Financial context IFCA/Association model reliant on appropriate funding stream (2015)

European funding

Recession

instability

Conclusion

Step Change in marine management Ecosystem services

Well managed coherent network

New type of regulator

Balance between Social, economic and environmental

Financial constraints

Partnership working

Any questions?

Stephenbolt@Association-IFCA.org.uk www.association-ifca.org.uk