Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

07/09/2026

Report Illegal Fishing in Sussex 🚨

Sussex IFCA has a dedicated Reporting Page to make it easier for you to share information about suspected illegal fishing.

We take a risk-based and intelligence-led approach to enforcement, and your reports play a vital role in building this intelligence to further investigate.

If you see something suspicious, do not approach those involved. You can report it by:
Completing the online Report Illegal Fishing Form. The more detail you can provide — such as date, time, location, vessel details, and activity observed — the more effective we can be.

🔒 All information is treated in strict confidence. Even if we can’t respond immediately, your reports help us stop irresponsible fishing and target our enforcement where it matters most.

📄 Submit a report here: https://www.sussex-ifca.gov.uk/report-illegal-fishing

04/09/2026

02/09/2026

🌊 Your Coast. Your Voice. Your IFCA. 🌊

Help shape the future of our seas and become an IFCA Member.

The Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) are looking for passionate individuals to become IFCA Members, helping to balance marine conservation, sustainable fisheries and the needs of coastal communities in England.

As an IFCA Member, you could help to:

🐟 Support sustainable fisheries and local communities
🌊 Protect your local marine environment
🙋 Influence local decisions
✨ Shape the future of your coastline

This is a voluntary role that could make a real influence. Applications are open on a rolling basis.

We’re looking for people with local knowledge, balanced judgement and a passion for sustainable fisheries and the marine environment. You don’t need to be an expert to apply.

➡️ Watch our new animations to find out what IFCA Members do and how you can get involved. Head to our website and go to 'Become a Member'. Link in bio 🔗


Marine Management Organisation
Sussex IFCA
Southern IFCA

Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities

01/09/2026

Mackerel have been turning up along the Sussex coast, and we know this is a popular time of year for anglers to get out and enjoy some fishing.

Before you head out, here are a few important reminders:

📏 Know your minimum sizes
• Atlantic mackerel: 20 cm
• Horse mackerel: 15 cm

Please measure your catch and return any undersized fish to the sea as carefully as possible.

🎣 Fish responsibly
There is currently no bag limit for mackerel, but this doesn’t mean anglers should take unlimited numbers. Please only keep what you need for personal consumption and avoid taking excessive amounts.

👮 Our team are out on patrol
Our Enforcement Team have been carrying out evening patrols on piers along the Sussex coast, monitoring fishing activity and speaking with anglers to help ensure everyone is aware of the rules.

By measuring your catch, returning undersized fish and only taking what you need, you can help us protect our fisheries and ensure there are plenty of fish for everyone to enjoy in the future.

26/08/2026

Welcome to all our New Followers!

We’re one of 10 Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) around the coast of England, responsible for managing sea fisheries resources and protecting the marine environment from mean high water out to 6 nautical miles. 

Our work includes:
Writing & enforcing local byelaws under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

Managing fisheries within Marine Conservation Zones.

Balancing social, environmental & economic needs to support healthy seas, sustainable fisheries, and a viable industry.

📍 Our district stretches from Chichester Harbour in the west to Rye Harbour in the east, covering the coastlines of West Sussex, East Sussex, and Brighton & Hove.

Our Committee brings together local councils, national agencies, and industry voices, while our specialist team of fisheries officers, scientists, and marine experts work daily to protect our seas and support the fishing community.

🔗 Find out more about who we are and what we do via the link in our bio.

24/08/2026

📣 Have your say on future funding for our coastal communities
A free workshop is taking place in Eastbourne on Monday 7 September 2026, giving people involved in the local fishing, seafood, marine and coastal sectors the opportunity to meet with Defra representatives and help shape local priorities for future funding.

📅 Monday 7 September 2026
⏰ 10am–4pm – drop in at any time
📍 Fishermans Quay Event Hall, Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne, BN23 5UY

🎟️ Free to attend

Defra is trialling a new approach that would see local area seafood plans help set funding priorities for their area.

Areas particularly relevant to our stakeholders could include:
🐟 Workforce development and fisheries careers
🌊 Sustainability and environmental performance
🔬 Innovation, science and data systems
🤝 Community and industry partnerships
🎣 Recreational fishing

The organisers want to hear from a wide range of people, businesses, and communities across the local marine and coastal sector, so this is a great opportunity to have your say on what matters to you and your community.

📧 To RSVP or for further information, contact Steve Nock from Eastbourne U10 CIC at [email protected]

Please note that this is not a Sussex IFCA event. We are supporting the organisers by sharing the opportunity with our stakeholders.
Please share with anyone you think may be interested!

21/08/2026

🐟 Rye Harbour Small Fish Survey 2026 📏

Last week, Sussex IFCA staff joined Sussex Wildlife Trust and a team of volunteers at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for our latest small fish survey.

Using a 43 m seine net, the team safely completed four hauls across the intertidal area, identifying, counting and measuring the fish and other marine species caught.

It was a busy survey, with more than 100 fish recorded in every haul. We saw particularly high numbers of juvenile bass and clupeids, as well as multiple lesser weevers.

The survey adds to our dataset at Rye Harbour, which dates back to 2013, helping us build a picture of the fish communities using Sussex’s shallow coastal waters and the importance of these areas as nursery habitat for juvenile fish.

Small fish are also an important part of the wider marine food web, providing prey for species including the terns that use Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

A big thank you to Sussex Wildlife Trust and all the volunteers who joined us and helped make the survey possible! 🐟🌊

Photos - Rich Bradley & SxIFCA

20/08/2026

Permit holder reminders

Sussex IFCA uses text and email notifications to help Shellfish and Hand Gathering Permit holders keep their permits and catch returns up to date.

📅 Permit holders will receive:
Text and email catch return reminders on the 8th and 22nd of each month
A permit renewal reminder 28 days before their permit expires

If you receive a catch return reminder, please check that your returns are up to date. Remember to submit a NIL return where required if you have not fished or gathered during the reporting period.

🎥 Need help submitting your catch returns?

Shellfish Permit – Submitting Catch Return Data:
▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gzkiVnwSWU

Hand Gathering Permit – Submitting Catch Return Data:
▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S6ArSAZ43E

You can also find permit information, guidance and catch return links on our website:
🔗 www.sussex-ifca.gov.uk/permits

Please make sure the email address and mobile number linked to your permit are up to date so you don’t miss any reminders.

If you have any questions or would like to turn off your notification reminders, please get in touch:

📧 [email protected]

18/08/2026

Our Sussex IFCA Officers had a fantastic time at Littlehampton Waterfront Festival on Sunday. The day was spent engaging with all ages, answering a range of questions about our patrols, byelaws, species and conducting tours of our Fisheries Patrol Vessel Watchful. 

Huge thanks to the Littlehampton Harbour Board for inviting us again this year. It was a great day out as always! 🌊⚓ 

14/08/2026

Survey Dolphin Encounter 🐬

Whilst conducting Towed Video Surveys this week, the Fisheries Patrol Vessel Watchful had a welcome encounter with a pod of Bottlenose dolphins.

The pod spent some time bow riding alongside the vessel, including a memorable sighting of a calf travelling with the group. They joined us briefly between survey sites before continuing on their way.

A fantastic wildlife encounter and a welcome addition to the survey day.

All our cetacean sightings are recorded and shared with Sussex Dolphin Project