The Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority met on Friday 20 March 2026 to discuss the authority's budget monitoring report, its annual plan for the upcoming financial year, and an officers' report covering national issues, enforcement, and research. The meeting also included time for public questions.

Budget Monitoring Report April 2025 - Jan 2026

The authority was scheduled to review its financial performance for the period of April 2025 to January 2026. The report indicated a favourable variance of £559,774 against the profiled budget, with total reserves forecast to be £908,234 at the end of the financial year. The report detailed variances within administration, enforcement, and research budgets, noting that favourable variances were partly due to the national pay award and reduced expenditure on marine gas oil and boat maintenance. Income was also reported as being significantly higher than budgeted, largely due to DEFRA grants. The report recommended that the budget and reserves position for the 2025-26 financial year be noted.

Excerpts from 2026-27 Annual Plan

The meeting was scheduled to consider excerpts from the draft annual plan for the 2026-27 financial year. This plan outlines the authority's priority areas and work objectives, aligning with the national IFCA vision of leading and managing a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries. Key focus areas for the upcoming year were set to include crab and lobster fisheries management, with progress on a byelaw for vessel specifications and the commencement of a second phase for further effort management measures. The plan also detailed the procurement of a new RIB to replace Lyonesse and the ongoing process for a replacement for the main patrol vessel, Saint Piran. Other priorities included the review of the Recreational Sea Angling Strategy and continued engagement with the Cornwall Fisheries Science Board. The plan also outlined work streams related to Marine Protected Areas, including drafting byelaws for crawfish management in specific zones and amending existing byelaws. The report recommended that the authority consider the proposed focus and priorities and approve the draft as the basis for the 2026-27 Annual Plan.

IFCA Officers' Report

The IFCA Officers' Report was scheduled to cover a range of national and local issues. Under national issues, the report was to detail the formal public consultations opened on four Defra-led Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs): Celtic Sea and Western Channel (demersal and pelagic), Seabreams, and Wrasses Complex. These plans aim to develop recovery plans for key species and incorporate natural capital approaches to fisheries management.

The Enforcement Team Report was expected to provide an update on personnel, including the recruitment of a new Enforcement Officer, Tom Hawkins. It was also to detail investigations and enforcement actions, noting that the winter period had limited sea-going patrols, with a focus on shore-based inspections and monitoring of estuarine areas. The report was to highlight joint patrols with the Devon and Severn IFCA and the Environment Agency. It was also to provide an update on the status of serious investigations and their outcomes, with several cases progressing through the court system. The report was also to cover general fishing matters, including the presence of octopus and its impact on shellfish stocks, restrictions on pollack catches, and the scarcity of mackerel. Updates on minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) for edible crabs and lobsters were also to be discussed, along with the MMO's ongoing management of the southwest crawfish fishery and the UK's increased Bluefin Tuna quota for 2026. Proposed changes to recreational bass and pollack catch limits were also on the agenda.

The Saint Piran skipper and lead engineer's report was to cover the period from December 2025 to February 2026, detailing the impact of poor weather on operations and preparations for the vessel's biennial maintenance. It was also to provide an update on the build of the replacement boarding RIB and adaptations made to the patrol boat 'Morvena' to comply with new MCA workboat codes.

The Research and Environment Team report was to provide an update on personnel, noting a reduced capacity and discussions regarding a graduate pathway with Exeter University. It was to detail survey work undertaken, including charter days for Exeter University and the annual Fal oyster survey. The report was to address the estimated costs for Work Boat Code 3 compliance for the survey boat Tiger Lily VI and internal considerations regarding future operational capacity. It was also to report on the Fal Fishery oyster survey results, noting an increase in oyster and queen scallop numbers. Updates on temperature logger data, subsea imaging surveys, and scallop ageing training provided by CEFAS were also to be included. The report was to list finalised and draft reports, including those on the Fal Oyster Relay Project and the intertidal edible crab. It was also to detail MPA assessments, including Habitat Regulation Assessments (HRAs) for various sites and Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) assessments. Assessments for Byelaw Dispensation Requests and Marine Licence Applications were also to be presented. Finally, the report was to provide quarterly reporting against the Annual Plan, including updates on the Crab and Lobster Fisheries Management Review, effort management in the crawfish fishery, scallop management, and the procurement of a replacement patrol vessel.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Trelawny Room, County Hall, Truro, TR1 3AY, commencing at 10:00 am.