Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority - 19 December 2025

**Approval of minutes and amendment** – The meeting began with a declaration that there were no conflicts of interest. A motion moved by Ruth Williams and seconded by Andrew Pascoe resolved that the minutes of the 19 September 2025 Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) meeting were correctly recorded and would be signed by the Chairman, subject to one amendment. The amendment to agenda item 8 clarified that the Natural England representative stated the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Area Team had been involved in the development of the Marine Nature Recovery Framework (MNRF) and its working groups.

**Budget monitoring and financial position** – The Chief Officer presented the Budget Monitoring Report for the period April 2025 – October 2025. In response to a query, it was confirmed that any favourable variance at year‑end would be transferred to the reserve account. A motion moved by Councillor Kenny and seconded by Ben Eglinton resolved that the budget and reserves position for the 2025‑26 financial year, as shown in Appendices 1 and 2, was noted.

**Revenue budget and levy setting** – The Chief Officer then presented the Revenue Budget 2026‑27. Discussion highlighted ongoing challenges in staying within the 3 % budget limit, unexpected costs such as pay awards, insurance and superannuation, and future pressures from vessel maintenance and other unbudgeted items that may require drawing on reserves. It was clarified that the purchase of a new RIB would reduce reserves by £337 000 and that no DEFRA capital funding had been received for a larger patrol vessel, though funding efforts would continue. The levy was described as good value for money given IFCA’s role. A motion moved by Ruth Williams and seconded by Councillor Evans resolved that the IFCA levy on Cornwall Council be set at £1,599,770 for 2026‑27.

**Officers’ report and policy matters** – The Chief Officer, Principal Enforcement Officer and Principal Scientific Officer delivered the Officers’ Report. Key points included participation in a national research project with the Marine Management Organisation to use the Cornwall MNRF as a model for UK marine planning; the introduction of a maximum of three pollock per person per day for recreational anglers in ICES areas 6 and 7 by June 2026; and an upward revision of commercial bass catch limits, with a planned increase in recreational bass limits from two to three per person per day pending legislation. Members expressed concern about the bass limit increase in light of a recent juvenile bass survey and welcomed the increased by‑catch allowance for trawl fisheries. Issues raised on bluefin tuna welfare and quota negotiations, octopus predation and potting practices, and the sustainability of offshore crawfish fishing were noted, with responsibility for the latter lying primarily with the MMO and DEFRA. Only one response had been received to the recreational angling strategy review, and further engagement with angling clubs was planned. The meeting also recorded that a new member would join the Authority at the next meeting, a motion moved by Ben Eglinton and seconded by Victoria Hobson that was resolved.