Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority - 19 September 2025

The meeting opened with no declarations of interest and a motion, moved by Councillor Cador and seconded by Victoria Hobson, to approve the minutes of the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) meeting held on 13 June 2025. The motion was resolved and the minutes were to be signed by the Chairman. No questions were raised by the public. The Chief Officer presented the Budget Monitoring Report for April – July 2025, confirming that the funds allocated to the Fal Regeneration project had been fully spent. A subsequent motion, moved by Councillor Kenny and seconded by Councillor Evans, noted and approved the budget and reserves position for the 2025‑26 financial year as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2.

The Annual Review of the IFCA Constitution was presented, and a motion moved by Ben Eglinton and seconded by Councillor Cador resolved to adopt Version 24 of the Constitution (Appendix 1), the Terms of Reference for the Byelaw Working Group (Appendix 2), and the Terms of Reference for the Employment Sub‑Committee (Appendix 3). The motion also re‑appointed members to the Byelaw Working Group, Employment Sub‑Committee, and the IFCA representative to the Hayle Harbour Advisory Committee, with the Chairman and Vice‑Chairman sitting on each sub‑committee and the authority to co‑opt additional members as needed.

The Chief Officer reported on the procurement of a replacement daughter rigid‑inflatable boat (RIB) for patrol operations. After clarifying the interim use of the St Piran vessel, the anticipated joint sale of the Lyonesse and Saint Piran vessels, the procurement framework, valuation considerations, and the preferred supplier (Delta Power Group), a motion moved by Councillor Cador and seconded by Councillor Evans resolved that officers be directed to commence procurement of the new RIB using a framework agreement with a single supplier.

Operational updates were provided by the Chief Officer, Principal Enforcement Officer, and Principal Scientific Officer. New regulations under the Fal Fishery Order, which increase the measurement ring size for fal oysters, will take effect on 1 October 2025. Enforcement actions on cases 25/03 and 25/04 are proceeding to court, while case 25/05 has been completed and is under solicitor review. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) consultation on the crawfish fishery resulted in a licence condition closing the fishery from 17 November 2025 to 31 May 2026