The Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority is scheduled to meet on Friday 12 June 2026 to discuss a range of important topics, including a proposed emergency byelaw concerning octopus potting, the authority's financial outturn for the past year, and a review of its constitution. The meeting will also include an opportunity for public questions and an update from IFCA officers on various fishing matters.

Octopus Potting (Vessel Specification) Emergency Byelaw 2026

A significant item on the agenda is the proposed Octopus Potting (Vessel Specification) Emergency Byelaw 2026¹. This byelaw is being considered due to a huge increase in potting effort for octopus within the Cornwall IFCA District which is reportedly adding to the pressures which are adversely affecting local crustacean stocks ². The proposed emergency measure aims to restrict the size of vessels fishing for octopus using pots within the Cornwall IFCA district, with a maximum overall length of 12 metres for mono-hull vessels and 10 metres for multi-hull vessels. This is intended to be a precautionary measure, as the authority notes that octopus were a rare bycatch in pots and not typically landed in significant numbers by fishing vessels operating within the IFCA district prior to 2025 ³. The report highlights that the existing Crustacean and Molluscan (Vessel Specification) Byelaw 2024, which is awaiting confirmation, will not apply to vessels fishing for octopus. The authority is proposing to make this emergency byelaw under section 157 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009⁴, which allows for emergency measures when an urgent need arises that could not reasonably have been foreseen. The byelaw, if made, would be in force for twelve months, with a possible six-month extension, during which time a standard byelaw would be developed.

Budget Outturn Report April 2025 to March 2026

The meeting will also review the Budget Outturn Report for April 2025 to March 2026⁵. This report details the financial performance of the Cornwall IFCA for the last financial year. According to the report, the authority's net expenditure before interest and reserve movements was £1,371,094 against a total budget of £1,504,016, resulting in a favourable variance of £132,922. A contribution of £226,889 was made to reserves at the year-end, bringing the total reserve position to £1,086,219 as of 31 March 2026. The report provides a breakdown of variances within administration, enforcement, and research budgets, noting that some income was carried forward into the new financial year.

Review of the Cornwall IFCA Constitution

A review of the Cornwall IFCA Constitution⁶ is scheduled for discussion. The constitution, which outlines how the authority operates, makes decisions, and conducts its business, is subject to an annual review. The report indicates that members were consulted in advance of the meeting, and no amendments were proposed. Therefore, the current version, version 25, is recommended for adoption unless members propose changes during the meeting. The constitution sets out the principles of decision-making, rules of debate, and procedures for meetings, including the quorum for CIFCA meetings, which is six members, with at least one Council Member and one General Member present.

IFCA Officers Report

The IFCA Officers Report⁷ will provide updates on a range of operational matters. This includes details on capital funding for a replacement patrol vessel, with Defra committing £1.2m via a section 31 grant. The report also covers enforcement activities, including investigations into the landing of berried lobsters and undersized fish, with several cases progressing through the courts. Updates are provided on general fishing matters, with a particular focus on the continued presence of octopus, their predation on shellfish, and the consequent rise in potting effort. The report also touches upon crawfish, bluefin tuna, recreational bass and pollack fisheries, and the sardine fishery. Furthermore, there are updates on the refit of the patrol vessel 'Saint Piran', the progress of a replacement RIB, and the activities of the research and environment team, including survey work, reporting, and marine licence applications. The report also details the progress on the authority's annual plan, including effort management in crustacean fisheries and the development of a new recreational sea angling strategy.