Page review/updated 04/12/2024

(Content of page updated: September 2024)

This page, the drop down menu, or the folders below, enables you to view some important information such as the Permit Byelaws, Permit Conditions, the whole Byelaw Book. Information about different legislation can also be found in section E of the Resource Library.

ENFORCEMENT OVERVIEW

The Enforcement Team consists of five Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officers (IFCOs). The Enforcement Team’s knowledge and expertise is extensive and underpinned by a varied background of enforcement work. Sea patrols are governed by intelligence received and inputted into the national intelligence model, which is shared amongst other Agencies.

The Enforcement Team have use of one D&S IFCA owned Rigid Inflatable Boat (R.I.B).

The vessel is 7.8 metres long and named the David Rowe to honour the memory of a former Authority member. This vessel can be transported via trailer throughout the extent of the Devon and Severn IFCA’s District. D&S IFCA makes use of technology to support the delivery of its enforcement work including IVMS (introduced as a permit condition) and is trialling the use of on board Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) technologies.

On 19th September 2024, the Authority agreed to the purchase of drones for enforcement and monitoring purposes.

The IFCOs’ work comprises of varied shift patterns; incorporating reactive working to respond to immediate threats to the local fishery. Joint working with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the Environment Agency (EA) and the Police is paramount as we move forward in sharing resources and this ensures that enforcement work isn’t duplicated. Information from patrols, investigations, boardings and prosecutions is recorded on the Monitoring Control Surveillance System (MCSS) which is shared with the MMO.

Legislation and Reporting Suspicious Activity

If you have a general enquiry about our legislation, please Contact Us. If you suspect any suspicious or illegal fishing activity, you have options how to report this. We have a dedicated “Reporting Illegal Fishing Activity” website page that includes a reporting form. This form enables you to report without providing your name of contact details.

We also have an or have an Incident Line – 07740175479

You can also email:

intel@devonandsevernifca.gov.uk

Officers have produced a Flyer (image right) that also gives details about D&S IFCA and reporting suspicious fishing activity. The flyer can be downloaded by clicking here.

Any personal data that you provide will be held securely and used in accordance with D&S IFCA’s Privacy Policy.