North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

09/06/2026

🌊 World Oceans Day 2026 🌊

Today, the Association of IFCAs launch their latest film, Conserve, exploring how IFCAs work to protect sensitive species and habitats in England’s inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), while ensuring sustainable fisheries can thrive.

The IFCAs, across 10 districts, have a responsibility to manage fishing activity within MPAs to ensure the conservation objectives of those sites are met.
The film highlights the IFCAs approach to MPA management:
• Backed by strong high-resolution data & local knowledge
• Collaborative decision-making, and meeting the MPA’s conservation needs
• Adaptive to changing conditions and new evidence

Produced by Mindfully Wired, Conserve follows the recently released IFCA film series Lead, Champion and Protect, continuing to showcase the work and efforts of IFCA officers and members to safeguard our marine environment and coastal communities.
This World Oceans Day, discover how MPAs can support both healthy seas and sustainable fisheries for the future.

Watch the full film here: https://association-ifca.org.uk/association-of-ifcas-launches-new-film-conserve-on-world-oceans-day/

To mark World Oceans Day on June 8th, the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (AIFCA) is proud to launch its latest film, Conserve, showcasing how IFCAs work to protect sensitive species and habitats in England’s inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), while ensuring susta...

19/05/2026

On behalf of the Charter Boat Angling Trust - please see the details below of a networking event on the 22nd May.

📣 Calling all charter skippers in and around Whitby!

We’re getting together for a catch-up and a brew ☕

📍 Green Lane Centre, Whitby
🗓 Friday 22nd May
⏰ 13:30

It’d be great to see as many of you there as possible for a good chat and a bit of networking.

👉 Please share this around so we can spread the word!

Hope to see you all there 👍

15/05/2026

🚢🐟 North Eastern IFCA will be attending the Whitby Fish & Ships Festival this weekend!

Come along and meet our Officers to learn more about the work we do to protect and manage our local marine environment and fisheries. We’ll be on hand throughout the festival to engage with the public, answer your questions, and offer advice on all things marine and fisheries related.

13/05/2026

🦞2026 Recreational Shellfish Permit🦞

Following confirmation of the Shellfish Permit Byelaw XXVIII, all permit holders with a current NEIFCA Limited Shellfish (hobby) permit will now need to apply for a Recreational Shellfish permit under the new Byelaw conditions. If you intend to catch shellfish using pots you will be restricted to using a maximum of 5 pots with a daily bag limit of two lobsters, 10 crab and 30 whelks.

Applications for 2026 Recreational Permits are now open and all current permit holders have been contacted with instructions on how to apply.

Please note - All applicants, new or existing are classed as a New Application when accessing the link to apply through our permitting portal or website.

Further information on the new Byelaw regulation and how to apply can be accessed through our website using the link below.

https://www.ne-ifca.gov.uk/Recreational-Shellfish-Permit

22/04/2026

🔹Important Notice - Commercial Permit Holders🔹

Please be advised that all commercial permit holders must apply for a new 2026 permit in line with the new byelaw regulation, Byelaw XXVIII Shellfish Permit Byelaw 2022. If you have not yet submitted your application, your existing commercial permit has been closed as of yesterday, 21st April 2026 and is no longer valid.

Any individual who continues to catch and land shellfish in our district without a valid 2026 commercial permit may be subject to enforcement action, including potential prosecution.

Further information on how to apply for a 2026 Commercial Permit is included in the link below.

https://www.ne-ifca.gov.uk/commercial-shellfish-permit

17/04/2026

🔶 Opportunity to take part in Clean Catch’s Fisherman’s survey 🔶

This short survey is open until the 6th May 2026 and will help Clean Catch to create best practice guidance on shark, ray and skate bycatch for the fishing industry.

You can find more information on Clean Catch at

https://www.cleancatchuk.com/

08/04/2026

🌊 Celebrating 15 Years of IFCAs 🌊

2026 marks a major milestone for the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) - 15 years of championing sustainable inshore fisheries and protecting England’s marine environment.

Since their establishment in 2011 under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, IFCAs have taken a pioneering, locally led approach to managing our seas. By balancing conservation with the social and economic needs of coastal communities, they’ve helped transform how inshore fisheries are managed.

For over a decade, IFCAs across 10 districts have:
🐟 Strengthened sustainable fisheries management
🌿 Protected vital marine habitats
🤝 Built strong partnerships with industry, scientists and coastal communities
⚖️ Introduced evidence-based byelaws for sustainable fishing
To celebrate, the Association of IFCAs will be sharing 15 stories highlighting key successes, from Marine Protected Area management to innovative science and community engagement.
📅 The celebrations will culminate in a National Celebration of Inshore Fisheries on July 1 at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, bringing together partners, policymakers, and industry to reflect on progress and look ahead to the future.
Read the full article on AIFCA’s website: https://tinyurl.com/yjxm32w2

Follow the journey and discover the stories on AIFCA’s social media channels:
Instagram:
LinkedIn: Association of IFCAs
X:

11/02/2026

🔹 Lobster MCRS INCREASE - New Measuring Gauges🔹

NEIFCA officers will be available on the following dates and locations for commercial permit holders to collect their free 88mm measuring gauge. Please note - one gauge per permit holder.

Sunderland Fish Quay Thursday 12th Feb 11:00 till 12:30

Scarborough Fish quay Monday 16th Feb 09:00 till 11:00

Hartlepool Fish quay 18th Feb 09:00 till 11:00

Redcar fisherman’s Square Thursday 19th Feb 0900 till 11:00

11/02/2026

DEFRA is launching ‘Mapping What Matters’ pilot project for Yorkshire.

Yorkshire skippers and crew on commercial vessels are urged to take part to put the fishing grounds important to them on the planning map. Drop-ins at the Whitby Fishing School, 16-20 Feb and Bridlington, 23-27 Feb. More information can be found on the Fishing Porthole website.

https://www.fishingporthole.co.uk/mapping-what-matters/

10/02/2026

🔹Lobster MCRS Increase – New Measuring Gauges🔹

To support fishers during the transition to the increased Lobster Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS) to 90 mm over the next three years, NEIFCA has purchased new 88mm measuring gauges for all commercial shellfish permit holders.

NEIFCA Officers will be available at the Bridlington harbour, HFIG lobster hatchery building, second floor, on Thursday 12th February, 13:00 - 15:00 and Friday 13th February, 10:00 - 15:00 for any commercial shellfish permit holder to collect their free gauge.

The increases will be,
88mm - 1st March 2026
89mm - January 2027
90mm - January 2028