Consultation 1 - Agree initial framework model outlines

Consultation 1 will review and evaluate a range of basic framework models and will include:

1. The size and shape of any specific management area

2. The type of fishing gear

3. Whether access to an area would be limited and if so to what kind of number/range of licences or permit would likely be issued

4. Whether the IFCA would use a Regulating Order or Byelaw to manage the area

Consultation 1 is now closed

The consultation process was open from 24 March 2022 to 9 May 2022

As with the listening phase consultation, stakeholders were given the opportunity to book a 10-minute slot and give filmed evidence to feed into the process.

This evidence was recorded and filmed to allow us to create a true and accurate account of each participants’ views and, for those participants who agreed, to allow people not able to attend the session to hear the views expressed by them

KEIFCA oral evidence panel

Cllr John Lamb (Chairman, KEIFCA)

Mr John Nichols  (Vice Chairman, KEIFCA) 

Mr Richard Turner (MMO representative)

To mirror the written questionnaire that also formed part of the consultation process, the oral evidence panel asked the same 3 questions to each participant. After these questions, there was an opportunity for any further comment from the participant as well as the ability for the panel to ask any further follow up questions.

1. Do you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions on the proposed vision statement 

2. Which set of options would you support & why; the suction dredge only options or the suction dredge and small-scale options.  If you included small scale, what would you consider a small scale fishery to be?

3. Which do you think is the best option and why?

Individual films will be uploaded shortly

KEIFCA members will consider the evidence provided on this site in conjunction with the results of the written questionnaires when they next meet on 14 June 2022 at Chelmsford BC, Essex.

The members of Kent & Essex IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of the inshore marine area of their IFCA district. They guide the IFCA to deliver its mandate under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and in line with Defra guidance.

Members of the IFCA  help to ensure that:

• the exploitation of sea fisheries resources is carried out in a sustainable way

• the social and economic benefits of exploiting the sea fisheries resources is balanced with the need to protect the marine environment from, or promote its recovery from, the effects of exploitation

• other steps are taken which, in the IFCA's opinion, are necessary to achieve sustainable development

• the different needs of those engaged in the exploitation of sea fisheries and marine resources are balanced

• the conservation objectives of marine conservation zones are achieved

Members meet regularly and are provided with briefing papers to assist them in their role. 

Copies of the papers provided to Members in respect of the review of the cockle fishery can be found below