Beachy Head East MCZ now protected. 🐟 @sussexifca.bsky.social Byelaw 2023 excludes towed gear from 164km², protecting sensitive habitats while allowing low-impact fishing to continue. More: www.sussex-ifca.gov.uk/regulations #Sussex #MarineProtection #bbcsussex #sussex_ifca #mpa

Defra is consulting on draft Fisheries Management Plans for seabream and wrasses in English waters. Join the online session, hear from the team, and share your feedback to help shape future fisheries management. Register: defrafmp.blog.gov.uk/fmp-events/

£132m UK Government funding available for fishermen, seafood businesses & coastal communities across England, supporting fishing, aquaculture, seafood & marine conservation projects. www.gov.uk/guidance/fisheries-and-seafood-scheme #FaSS #FisheriesFunding #CoastalCommunities #sussexfishermen

Our @sussexifca.bsky.social Officers have been carrying out pot hauling patrols across the district. Checking pot tags, escape gaps, surface markers and locations under the Sussex IFCA Shellfish Permit Byelaw — helping protect the marine environment & support sustainable fisheries.

Hand Gathering Byelaw Reminder Bag limits apply. Permits needed for larger takes. Extra restrictions in 6 Sussex MPAs — even with a permit. Check rules: www.sussex-ifca.gov.uk/regulations Apply: permits.sussex-ifca.gov.uk/Public/Permit/ #sussex_ifca #SussexCoast #HandGatheringByelaw #baitdigging

King Scallop Closure – ICES 7d & 7e The Marine Management Organisation closes the king scallop dredge fishery from 1st Jul–30th Sep 2026: 7d >10m vessels 7e >12m vessels Applies to UK and EU scallop dredge vessels. More info: gov.uk/government/c... #sussex_ifca #MMO #fishing #scallops

Sussex IFCA recently supported a University of Sussex research project, collecting water samples across Sussex waters. The study, led by Marianne Glascott, explores sediment and pollutant impacts to help inform coastal management. Find out more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8PR... #Sussex_IFCA

Celebrating 15 years of IFCAs 🌊 As one of the ten IFCAs, Sussex IFCA is proud to support sustainable fisheries and protect our marine environment. Follow @AssociationIFCA to see 15 stories showcasing key successes across the network. #IFCA #15YearsofIFCAs

Kingmere MCZ closed season begins from 1 April–30 June. All fishing is prohibited in Zone 1. Rec angling 4 seabream bag limit applies in other zones. Anglers are encouraged to follow the voluntary Code of Conduct. www.sussex-ifca.gov.uk/mpa-management #sussex_ifca #seabream #kingmeremcz

Despite unsettled weather, Sussex IFCA have continued patrols across the district. Using FPV Osprey and FPV Merlin, they carry out boardings to check catches, gear marking and compliance. More on our vessels via asset brochures on our website. #InshoreFisheries #SustainableFishing #Sussex_IFCA

🦞Lobster Gauge Distribution @sussexifca.bsky.social is giving Commercial shellfish permit holders 88mm gauges to meet new MCRS rules. 📍 Shoreham, Brighton, Eastbourne – 26 Mar 📍 Hastings & Rye – 31 Mar 📧 [email protected] for info #lobster #commercialshellfish #sussex_ifca

Have your say on fisheries management Join the webinar on the Seabream & Wrasses FMPs for English waters. Learn about the proposals, ask questions, and get ready for in-person events. Register: defrafmp.blog.gov.uk/fmp-events/ 🎥 Recording shared with all who sign up

World Rewilding Day 2026 🌱 Rewilding means removing pressures and giving nature space to recover. Today, we choose a future where people and nature thrive together. 🌍💚 #WorldRewildingDay #sussex_ifca #chooseourfuture

5 years of the @sussexifca.bsky.social #NearshoreTrawlingByelaw 🐟🪸Protecting 304 km² of seabed, safeguarding habitats, and supporting sustainable fisheries for species, ensuring healthy seas for the future. #Sussex_IFCA #SustainableFishing #MarineConservation #inshorefishing @sussexkelp.bsky.social

📊 A pilot survey by Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs gathered 435 responses to help better understand the social side of England’s fishing industry. 📖 Read the report: sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetai... #Fisheries #FishingIndustry #defra

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

🎣 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: [email protected] | 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). 📩[email protected] #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 [email protected] #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. 📧 [email protected]

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

Sussex IFCA Annual Report 2024–25 is now live. It highlights our work in sustainable fisheries management, marine research, MPA protection and our ongoing partnerships across the Sussex District. Link in Bio 🐟 #sussex_ifca #fisheriesmanagement #sussexseas #inshorefishing #coastalfisheries

Have your say on the UK’s £360m Fishing & Coastal Growth Fund! 🐟🛥️ @defra-answers.bsky.social wants input from the fishing community on supporting inshore fleets, local seafood, and coastal communities. Survey defragroup.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... #Fishing #InshoreFleet #CoastalCommunities

November marks the start of #Scallop #Season in #Sussex #inshore waters (1 Nov 2025 – 31 May 2026). @sussexifca.bsky.social officers are monitoring the inshore fleet, checking fishing gear and catches. Minimum conservation reference size: 110mm #sussex_ifca #inshorefisheries #scallopseason

The Young Fishermen Network UK has launched its first manifesto, calling for better training, support and fair access to help young people build careers in fishing. Supporting young fishers means supporting the future of our coastal communities. #YoungFishermenNetwork

Sussex IFCA has updated guidance for Hand Gathering catch returns, specifically instructions for reporting lugworm. Full guidance & step-by-step instructions: secure.toolkitfiles.co.uk/clients/3408... #sussex_ifca #handgathering #SussexCoast #lugworm #baitdigging