The Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority is scheduled to meet on Friday 20 March 2026 to discuss its budget monitoring, annual plan, and various operational reports. Key topics include financial performance, proposed priorities for the upcoming year, and updates on enforcement activities, research, and vessel management.

Budget Monitoring Report April 2025 - January 2026

The meeting agenda includes a review of the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority's (CIFCA) financial performance for the period of April 2025 to January 2026. The report details CIFCA's net expenditure against its approved budget, highlighting a favourable variance of £559,774 at the end of January 2026. The report also outlines the forecast reserve position, which is projected to be £908,234 by the end of the financial year. This favourable variance is attributed to several factors, including lower than budgeted employee expenses due to national pay awards, reduced transport costs for marine gas oil and boat maintenance, and lower expenditure on equipment. Income is also reported to be significantly above the profiled budget, largely due to grant funding received for national workstreams such as fisheries management plans and marine protected areas. The report notes that any favourable variance remaining at the end of the year would be paid into the reserve account.

Excerpts from the 2026-27 Annual Plan

A significant portion of the meeting will be dedicated to reviewing excerpts from the draft annual plan for the 2026-27 financial year. This plan outlines the Cornwall IFCA's main objectives and priorities, as required by Section 177 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009¹. The proposed focus areas include the management of crab and lobster fisheries, with plans for further effort management measures and the procurement of new vessels. The plan also details ongoing work on the Recreational Sea Angling Strategy, the Cornwall Fisheries Science Board, and the management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), including the drafting of new byelaws for crawfish management in specific zones. The work plan details how the IFCA intends to meet its national Success Criteria, which cover stakeholder engagement, enforcement, evidence-based decision-making, and appropriate governance.

IFCA Officers' Report

The IFCA Officers' Report will provide updates on a range of national and local issues. Under national issues, the report will cover the formal public consultations for four Defra-led Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs): Celtic Sea and Western Channel (demersal and pelagic), Seabreams, and Wrasses Complex. These plans aim to manage specific fish stocks and include objectives for recovery plans, the application of a natural capital approach, and improved data collection.

The Enforcement Team Report will detail personnel changes, including the recruitment of a new Enforcement Officer, Tom Hawkins. It will also summarise investigations and enforcement actions, noting that inclement weather limited sea-going patrols, leading to a focus on shore-based monitoring of estuarine areas and port inspections. The report highlights that no serious fisheries infringements were detected in the last quarter, but provides an update on ongoing serious investigation cases with upcoming court proceedings. General fishing matters discussed will include the presence of octopus in southwest waters, its impact on shellfish stocks, and the challenges faced by the inshore fleet due to restrictions on pollack catches and adverse weather. Updates on minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) for edible crabs and lobsters will also be provided, bringing them into line with existing Cornwall IFCA byelaws. The report will also cover discussions on the management of the southwest crawfish fishery and Defra's annual Bluefin Tuna fishing plan for 2026, which includes an increased UK quota and plans for recreational fisheries. New legislation regarding catch limits for recreational bass and pollack is also on the agenda.

The Saint Piran skipper and lead engineer will report on the vessel's condition and upcoming biennial maintenance, including adaptations to meet new Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Work Boat 3 Code requirements. The report will also detail progress on the procurement of a replacement boarding RIB and the ongoing work to bring the patrol boat 'Morvena' into compliance with the new MCA code.

The Research and Environment Team will report on personnel, including a vacant position and maternity cover recruitment. Despite poor weather, the survey boat 'Tiger Lily VI' has undertaken charter work, but the estimated costs for Work Boat Code 3 compliance are higher than anticipated, prompting consideration of future operational capacity. The report will detail the annual Fal Fishery oyster survey, which recorded a significant increase in oyster numbers, and updates on temperature loggers, subsea imaging surveys, and scallop ageing training provided by Cefas. Several reports are nearing finalisation, including those on the Fal Oyster Relay Project, Fal Oyster Fishery Permit Statistics, and intertidal edible crab. The team will also provide updates on Marine Protected Area (MPA) assessments and byelaw dispensation requests, as well as their review of marine licence applications.

Finally, the report will provide quarterly updates against the Annual Plan, covering progress on the Crab and Lobster Fisheries Management Review, effort management in the crawfish fishery, scallop management, and the Recreational Sea Angling Strategy review. Developments regarding the procurement of a replacement patrol vessel will also be discussed.