North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

24/08/2026

🌊 Education & Outreach 🐟

2026 has been a fantastic year so far for North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority's Education and Outreach Programme, giving us the opportunity to engage with local communities, schools, and maritime events across our district.

🎣 Whitby Fish & Ships Festival – May 2026.

We kicked off our festival season at the Whitby Fish & Ships Festival, meeting visitors, answering questions and helping people discover more about our local fisheries, marine environment and the work of NEIFCA.

⛵ Bridlington Seafest & Sailing Coble Festival

During July and August, we attended the Bridlington Seafest and the Bridlington Sailing Coble Festival, celebrating the fishing and maritime heritage of our coast while highlighting the work we do to protect and manage our inshore waters.

🏫 West Cliff Primary School – Whitby – July 2026

We were also delighted to welcome pupils from West Cliff Primary School onboard one of our patrol vessels, North Eastern Guardian IV. The visit gave students a unique opportunity to learn about marine conservation, fisheries management, and the role our officers play in protecting the marine environment.

🏊 Whitby Regatta 2-Mile Swim – August 2026

Most recently, our team provided a safety boat for the Whitby Regatta 2-mile swim, helping to support swimmers and ensure the event could take place safely on the water.

Our Education & Outreach programme allows us to promote a better understanding of sustainable fisheries and showcases the important work we do across the North East coastline. Thank you to everyone who has visited us, spoken with our officers, and taken part in our events this year.

21/08/2026

🦞’V’ Notch Lobster Release🦞

The North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NEIFCA), working alongside the Whitby Lobster Hatchery, released juvenile lobsters at multiple sites along the North Yorkshire coastline on Thursday, 13 August 2026.

In addition, NEIFCA officers returned approximately 50 kilograms of v-notched lobsters to the sea. These lobsters were generously donated by Scarborough shellfish merchants Danny and Edwin Jenkinson, whose support is greatly appreciated.

https://www.ne-ifca.gov.uk/Press-Releases/v-notch-lobster-release

21/08/2026

🐟Tuna Trace🐟

Bluefin tuna have been spotted along the Yorkshire coastline for the last couple of years and have recently been caught recreationally and commercially using rod and line. There is little known about the huge tuna that have turned up along our coastline so we are working in partnership with (please tag them) to tag 10 tuna using satellite tags which will provide data on location and behavioural characteristics, this is information currently unknown for these tuna. We have successfully tagged 3 tuna so far with the help of local recreational anglers for which we are very grateful. We will continue to work hard to hopefully tag more tuna and are excited for what next year will bring


⭐️Here’s where you can get involved!⭐️

Cefas have created a tuna reporting form where you can report sightings of bluefin tuna. Whether you have seen them from the coastline or out on a boat trip, the link below gives you the opportunity to help collect data for the mysterious tuna along our coast.

Report your tuna sighting here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/5ed529d4b8494be19ad0b5a7821ad52d?portalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgiserver.cefas.co.uk%2Fportal&utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo

04/08/2026

NEIFCA Marking of Fishing Gear

Following recent inspections, in some areas of the NEIFCA district, it is clear that there remains a lack of compliance with gear marking requirements.
All static gear must be clearly marked with the vessel Port Letters and Numbers or in the case of recreational fishing, permit number.

NEIFCA is advising all permit holders that any unmarked fishing gear, located within the NEIFCA district, will be subject to removal from the water, seizure, potential forfeiture and disposal. The responsible operator may also be the subject of a formal sanction, including a penalty not exceeding £50K, if prosecuted and convicted in a Court of law.

13/07/2026

22/06/2026

INTERTIDAL & SUBTIDAL FIXED NETTING PERMIT APPLICATIONS 2026

Applications are invited for intertidal and sub-tidal fixed netting permits to set nets within Area C of the Authority’s district (Flamborough Light to Withernsea Light) under the provisions of Byelaw XVIII Method and Area of Fishing (Fixed Netting) Byelaw 2016. Applicants can only apply for one type of permit and applications will be assessed against the criteria as specified in the permit allocation procedure 2026.

More information on this can be found on our news page or by clicking the link below -

https://www.ne-ifca.gov.uk/Press-Releases/intertidal-sub-tidal-fixed-netting-permits

22/06/2026

SCALLOP DREDGING PERMIT APPLICATIONS

Applications for scallop dredging permits for the 2026/2027 season are invited from vessels meeting the criteria as specified in the permit allocation procedure 2026. Closing date for applications is the 17th July 2026.

Further information can be found on news page of our website or by clicking the link below -

https://www.ne-ifca.gov.uk/Press-Releases/scallop-dredging-permits-20231

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.