2012 08 the work of the devon and severn inshore fisheries and conservation authority in the severn ...
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The Work of the Devon & Severn Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority in the
Severn
Tamsyn NobleSenior Environment Officer
Devon and Severn IFCA
• 2011: Devon & Severn IFCA vested under Marine & Coastal Access Act (2009)
• IFCA assembled of representatives from local authorities (12 members), statutory agencies (3 members) and MMO appointees (14 members)
Part 6, Chapter 1, Section 153 - Management of inshore fisheriesPart 6, Chapter 1, Section 154 - Protection of marine conservation zones
• Sustainable management of sea fisheries resources and habitats
• Balance social and economic benefits of fisheries exploitation with need to protect the marine environment – increased conservation remit
• Development and management of recreational fishing activities
• Requirement to provide evidence for sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources through increased data collection and analysis
• Review of existing byelaws
Marine and Coastal Access Act (MaCCA) 2009
“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.”
Mission Statement
Research Plan 2012/2013Priority 1
Development of MPA management
plans
Priority 2
Sustainable Management of
Shellfisheries
Priority 3
Development of Recreational
Sea Angling
Activity 1 Habitat mapping and ground truthing of
sensitive features/habitats present in
MPAs in the district
Whelk Fisheries Sustainability
project – Size at sexual maturity
Assessment of distribution and
extent of bait collection in the
district
Activity 2 Mapping of Eel grass beds in MPAs
within the district
Assessment of mussel resources
both intertidal and sub-tidal
Assessment of Recreational Sea
Angling to include distribution
and intensity of activity
Activity 3 Analysis of benefits of MPAs to
surrounding fisheries
Stock assessments of cockle &
clam resources in the district.
Data gathering to inform socio-
economic value of RSA within
the district
Activity 4 Assessment of the impacts of fishing
activity within MPAs
Stock assessment of Scallops in
Salcombe Estuary
Assessment of RSA Landings –
species, numbers, seasonality
Activity 5 Scientific literature review and data
collection to inform impact assessment
for byelaw reviews
Crustacea stock assessments and
analysis of landings
Scientific literature review and
data collection to inform
impact assessment for byelaw
reviews
Local Authorities
Local Recreational Anglers
Local Fishermen
Experts in the Marine Field
SEP
Devon & Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation
Authority
IFCA Relationships
ASERA
Local Stakeholders
The Severn Estuary - Conservation
• UK Designations
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
National Nature Reserve (NNR)
• EU Designations
Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Special Protected Area (SPA)
RAMSAR site
Severn Estuary SAC
• Designated under EU Habitats Directive for….
• Estuaries• Intertidal Mudflats• Subtidal Sandbanks• Reefs• Atlantic Salt Meadows
• Sea Lamprey• River Lamprey• Twaite Shad
Intertidal Sabellaria alveolata Mapping
• Tube building worm
• Can form extensive reefs in certain conditions
• Sabellaria reef is scarce in the UK, found throughout the Severn to English Stones
• ‘Annex I’ habitat
• Support diverse communities and food webs
• Mapping and quality assessment is a priority research objective
Lugworm Density Survey
• Lugworm (Arenicola marina) extremely abundant throughout the Severn
• Huge biomass provides food source for bird populations, especially in winter
• Survey underway to assess distribution, abundance and population structure
• Baseline data series to establish monitoring programme
Bait Digging Survey
• Lugworm is a popular bait worm for recreational angling
• Magna Carta - right to fish
• Can be damaging to environment and worm populations if excessive (i.e. large scale commercial)
• District-wide assessment of bait collection activities
Bait Digging Distribution
Recreational Sea Angling Survey
• Extremely popular throughout Severn
• 37 sites identified by local anglers
• Weekly shore visits and boat surveys
• Data to feed into national survey
• IFCA questionnaire designed to capture a wide range of information
• Useful tool for IFCA familiarisation and public awareness
Recreational Sea Angling Survey
Recreational Sea Angling Survey
• 86 anglers interviewed so far
• Initial results suggest good conservation practice by anglers
- Minimum landing size awareness- Catch and release- Management suggestions
• Anglers have provided a wealth of information for this new area of our district
Enforcement
• Whelks, rays, flatfish and others commercially fished (primarily landed to Welsh ports)
• Commercial shore fisheries (e.g. Bridgwater Bay)
• Severn fixed netting restrictions
• Minimum Landing Size - angling
