Hand Gathering permit holders must submit monthly catch returns — even if no activity took place.
🎥 Guides on both below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S6A...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzC_...
#SussexIFCA #HandGathering #Fisheries
IFCA Insights: March Edition Released!
The @AssociationIFCA has published the latest IFCA Insights, highlighting work across England’s ten IFCAs.
🔹 ISSF collaboration
🔹 IFCA training updates
🔹 Drones in science & enforcement📖
www.association-ifca.org.uk/ifca-insights
#AIFCA
Students from Sparsholt College joined Sussex IFCA Officers for a #smallfishsurvey at East Head.
Using a seine net, they learned fish monitoring techniques, catching Golden grey mullet and juvenile Brown trout.
#sussex_ifca #Chichesterharbour #fishsurvey #sussex
🎣 Bass Update – Recreational Fishers
Confirmation of the recreational bass bag limit increase.
1 Feb - 31 Mar: Catch-and-release only
Outside Feb/Mar: 3 bass per person, per day
📏 Minimum size: 42cm | 🚫 No fixed/drift nets
#bassfishing #sussex_ifca #recreationalfishing
From 1 March 2026, the Marine Management Organisation
and Defra introduced a new MCRS for European lobster 🦞
📏 90mm (SW)
📏88mm (rest of England, rising to 90mm by 2028)
This replaced the 87mm size in Sussex IFCA’s Byelaw for all licensed vessels in Sussex.
defrafmp.blog.gov.uk/2025/12/11/l...
The Marine Management Organisation is holding drop-in sessions on the Cuttlefish & Whelk #fisheriesmanagementplans
🗓️ 5–6 March 2026
📍 Portsmouth, Shoreham, Eastbourne & Hastings
Have your say
Cuttlefish: bit.ly/4kNuray
Whelk: bit.ly/4784U6m
Last night our C&R Manager joined the panel at Our Sea and Ourselves – Restoration, Recovery & Reconnection
George spoke about the Sussex IFCA Nearshore Trawling Byelaw and how it supports fish habitat recovery & sustainable #inshorefisheries.
Thanks to @oceanographicmag.bsky.social and Finisterre
Cuttlefish season is coming!
Each spring, #cuttlefish move #inshore #Sussex to breed, supporting a local fishery.
Shellfish permit holders: check pot tags, renew/apply early: sussex-ifca.gov.uk/permits
#Sussex_IFCA #CuttlefishSeason #ShellfishPermits
Consultations are now open on the final four Defra Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs)
📌 Celtic Sea & Western Channel (demersal & pelagic)
📌 Wrasses complex
📌 Seabream
🗓 Closes 5 May 2026
💻 Join online sessions & respond: defrafmp.blog.gov.uk/fmp-events/
#FisheriesManagementPlans #Sussex_IFCA #Defra
On #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience day 2026, we’re proud to recognise the women across Sussex IFCA. From officers and scientists to finance, communications, and leadership, their work helps protect the marine environment and support sustainable fisheries.
#Sussex_IFCA #womeninscience
Our Officers have been on sea patrols monitoring fishing activity along the Sussex coast, ensuring compliance with
@sussexifca.bsky.social byelaws.
During the patrol, FPV Watchful launched FPV Osprey to assist with monitoring and inspections at sea.
#Sussex_IFCA #SeaPatrol #Fisheries
Pleasure to participate in the Inshore and Small Scale Fisheries Consortium workshop in Newcastle to co-design a priority action plan to maintain thriving and sustainable inshore fishing businesses and livelihoods @sussexifca.bsky.social
🎣 Recreational Bass Fishing
• 1st February – 31st March: catch & release only
• Min size: 42 cm
• 🚫 No fixed or drift nets (boat & shore)
Full guidance: Bass Fishing Guidance 2026 – GOV.UK
#Sussex_IFCA #bassfishing #sussex #recreationalfishing
📢 Research Call – Cuttlefish Egg Survival
Plymouth University along with
@cefasgovuk.bsky.social & DEFRA seeks local knowledge on egg-laying & artificial structures.
🗓 Deadline: 1 Feb 2026
Contact: alice.hall@plymouth.ac.uk | 01752 584996
#Cuttlefish #MarineResearch #Fisheries
🐟 Clean Catch is seeking fishermen in England to help co-design bycatch guidance for demersal beam & otter trawls (early 2026, ~4 hrs, no bycatch disclosure needed, anonymity optional).
📩secretariat@cleancatchuk.com
#CleanCatch #Bycatch #UKFisheries
@cefasgovuk.bsky.social
Hand Gathering Byelaw: limits shellfish, bait & seaweed gathering + permit rules + MPA protections.
Extra restrictions in 6 Sussex MPAs — check guidance before gathering.
Info: sussex-ifca.gov.uk/regulations
Permits: permits.sussex-ifca.gov.uk
#sussex_ifca #HandGatheringByelaw #baitdigging
Sussex Shellfish Trends (2017–2024) 🦀
Our new video shows trends in landings, effort, and LPUE for #Sussex’s #inshore #shellfish #fisheries.
Thanks for data from local fishers’ catch returns which helps support sustainable #fisheriesmanagement.
🎥 Watch: youtu.be/Oo4zKW_nMXM?...
#sussexfishing
📱🐟Clean Catch app now live across England & Wales!
Skippers can record catch & bycatch of sensitive species, log wildlife interactions, and view real-time maps.
📲 Available on app stores: search Clean Catch
🔗 lnkd.in/e_JqmU3c
📢 New Association IFCA 'IFCA Insights' newsletter launched!
December’s edition is now live — connecting the work of England’s IFCAs.
online.fliphtml5.com/Associationo...
#sussex_ifca #IFCAInsights #associationifca #inshorefishing #fishingengland
🚤 Whelk Inspections 🐚
@sussexifca.bsky.social Officers were on the water carrying out vessel boardings as the #whelk season approaches, using FPV Osprey to support inspections and ensure compliance with #Shellfish Permit #Byelaw inside 6nm.
#sussex_ifca #whelk #shellfish #seapatrol
🚨 Shellfish permit holders & fishers 🦞
Check your permits aren’t expiring over Christmas! ⏰ This is the final week to apply or renew.
Questions? Email database@sussex-ifca.gov.uk
#sussex_ifca #shellfishpermit #fishing #inshorefishing #sussex #potting
🎣 Fishing & Coastal Growth Fund – Have Your Say!
Defra officials & the RFG team will visit Eastbourne (10:30–12:00) & Portsmouth (14:30–16:00) on 17 Dec to hear from fishermen & the seafood industry on how the fund should be run.
📧 FishingAndCoastalGrowthFund@defra.gov.uk
Sussex IFCA Officers have installed new #HandGatheringByelaw signs in #Chichesterharbour. The byelaw sets bag limits, permit requirements, and added MPA protections to support sustainable use of intertidal habitats within the #Sussex district.
sussex-ifca.gov.uk/regulations
🦞Shellfish Permit Holders: Catch Returns
Submitting your catch returns is now easier via our online database. It’s required for all permit holders:
⏩Commercial require monthly returns
permits.sussex-ifca.gov.uk/Public/Permit/
#sussex_ifca #shellfishpermit #sussex #potting #shellfish
It’s #WildlifeConservationDay 🌍
A reminder of the importance of protecting wildlife and supporting healthy, sustainable ecosystems on land and at sea.
#WildlifeConservationDay #ProtectOurPlanet #marineconservation #sustainablefishing #sussex_ifca
📊 Seafish - UK Seafood in Numbers 2024 is out!
Watch the video to see the latest stats on imports, exports & industry trends!
🎥 Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnWs...
#Seafood #UKSeafood #Fisheries #Seafish #sussex_ifca
At first light, @sussexifca.bsky.social Officers flew drone routes at 60m and 90m to capture HD images for monitoring hand-gathering activity. AI analysis helps identify new or historic activity.
Read more: sussex-ifca.gov.uk/assets
#handgathering #baitdigging #mpa
@chichesterharbour.bsky.social
The Marine Management Organisation is consulting on proposals to close UK waters in ICES areas 7d & 7e to king scallop dredging (1 Jul–30 Sep 2026 & 2027) to protect stocks during spawning season. 🐚 Have your say
bit.ly/4nNyLXo
#fisheries #marineconservation #sussex_ifca #scallop
Happy #WorldFisheriesDay 2025 🐟
Today we celebrate the importance of sustainable fisheries and the coastal communities who depend on them.
@sussexifca.bsky.social works to protect our inshore marine environment and support sustainable, responsible fishing across the district.
#fisheries #sussex
Ocean Symposium 2025! 🌊
Chief Fisheries Officer opened the event, and our Officers had a stall showcasing recent byelaw information and enegaged with attendees to explain our duties and work.
Looking forward to next year!
#sussex_ifca #fisheries #marineconservation #oceanaction #sussexcoast
