With the creation of IFCAs in 2009, the Marine and Coastal Access Act (MACAA) placed a clear duty on IFCAs to sustainably manage sea fisheries resources in their Districts and to protect marine ecosystems from the impact of fishing, which includes the power to create and enforce byelaws. Our latest byelaw book can be seen below.
Here you can view NIFCA’s most up to date byelaws book. Byelaws are under constant review by the IFCA Officers and Members and the book will be updated where any changes are made.
To get a hard copy of our byelaw book, please contact the NIFCA admin team on 01670 797 676 or email us on nifca@nifca.gov.uk. You can also call into the office to collect a copy or speak to an Officer on the coast.
Historically, the Sea Fisheries Committees that came before the IFCAs were under no obligation to assess or manage recreational fishing. Now, under the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009), NIFCA has a legislative duty to seek to ensure the sustainability of sea fisheries resources as well as balancing the social and economic benefits. The term “sea fisheries resources” means any plant or animal that live in the marine environment, excluding migratory fish and freshwater fish (including salmon and trout). Migratory and freshwater fish are managed by the Environment Agency. You can view the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 here.
Stakeholders should note that fisheries legislation extends beyond that of NIFCA byelaws which should be researched prior to any fishing activity takes place.
In addition, Kingfisher have launched an interactive map showing restrictions in UK waters on the Kingfisher website.