The Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority (IFCA) met on Thursday 15 January 2026 to discuss revisions to fishing permit conditions and receive an update on various fisheries management issues. The Authority approved amendments to the Fishing Gear Permit Byelaw 2021, including the introduction of requirements for additional remote monitoring equipment and the inclusion of any 'type approved' Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (iVMS) units. Members also noted the Chief Officer's Report, which covered a range of national and local fisheries matters.

Revision of the Fishing Gear Permit Byelaw 2021

The Authority approved amendments to the permit conditions for the Fishing Gear Permit Byelaw 2021. These revisions aim to address legal issues and modernise existing conditions. Three out of four proposed amendments were implemented:

• Additional Remote Monitoring Equipment: The Authority will now have the power to require additional remote monitoring equipment (REM) to be installed on permitted vessels. This aligns with a national REM policy adopted by the Association of IFCAs and is expected to provide operational cost savings through remote compliance monitoring.
• Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (iVMS) Units: The permit conditions will be updated to include any appropriate 'type approved' iVMS unit, ensuring compliance with the byelaw's iVMS requirement. This amendment received unanimous support.
• Limited Fishing Time for Dredging: A restricted fishing time of 07:00 to 19:00 will be introduced for vessels dredging in the district. This measure aims to align practices with those in Cornwall and Devon & Severn IFCA districts.

One proposed amendment, to introduce a maximum tow bar length of three metres for dredging, was not recommended for implementation at this time. While intended to aid compliance with the maximum number of dredges permitted, officers felt it could present wider difficulties and opted to monitor dredge usage before reconsidering the measure. Two responses were received during the consultation period, with one objecting to the tow bar length and limited fishing time proposals, arguing they would make fishing unviable and were inconsistent with practices elsewhere.

Chief Officer's Report

The meeting received an update on various fisheries management issues. Key points included:

• Fishing Gear Permit Byelaw (Permits Issued): As of the meeting date, only two permits had been issued for the use of bottom towed gears since the byelaw came into force on 25 December 2025, with no additional applications received.
• 2025 Subsea Imaging Survey Results: The analysis of a subsea imaging survey conducted in August 2025 was inconclusive regarding differences between recently trawled and untrawled areas. Differences in substrate were noted, and further work is required to determine the maximum number of permits for bottom towed gears to ensure sustainability.
• Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (iVMS) Update: An ongoing issue with accessing data from a type-approved iVMS unit via the UK VMS hub remained unresolved.
• Recreational Fixed Gear Permit Byelaw: Preparations were underway for the 2026 recreational pot tag applications, with tags reordered in a new colour.
• Sampling at Sea Project Work: Plans were in place for a crawfish tag and release project during 2026, building on previous tagging initiatives. Brief reports on the 2025 officer sampling program for lobsters and crawfish were available.
• Update on National Fisheries Issues:
  • Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS): The minimum conservation reference sizes for edible crabs and lobsters were set to increase from February and March 2026, respectively, aligning measures across southwest English waters.
  • Animal Welfare Reforms: Defra announced animal welfare reforms for decapod crustaceans and cephalopods, recognising their sentience. The report noted that no legislative changes were in place at that time, and current shellfish movement practices were considered appropriate.
  • Atlantic Blue Fin Tuna: The UK secured an increase in its Atlantic Blue Fin tuna quota for 2026 and 2027, with an expected rise in commercial and recreational licences.
  • Pollack Update for 2026: A small quota for pollack was agreed for 2026, with a bag limit of 3 pollack per person per day for recreational fishers to be in place by 1 June 2026.
• Patrol Vessel Update: The patrol vessel Vigilant passed its annual coding survey, and a gap analysis was conducted to assess compliance with the Work Boat Code 3 requirements.
• Compliance Monitoring Update: Officers continued to monitor vessels to ensure adherence to maximum vessel size regulations.
• Additional External Funding for FY 2025/26: Two allocations of RDEL funding from Defra were received, which would enable the Authority to maintain its current operational level.
• Crawfish Hatchery Feasibility Study: Investigations into the feasibility of a crawfish hatchery on Scilly were ongoing, with a focus on estimating set-up costs and funding.
• Fishermen's Association Meeting with MMO: A meeting between the fishermen's association and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) regarding Crab and Lobster Fishery Management Plan (FMP) measures was described as productive.

The meeting noted the Chief Officer's Report, with no decisions requiring a vote.