Tamsyn Noble - Devon & Severn IFCA The Work of the Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority in the Severn Tamsyn Noble is the recently appointed Senior Environment Officer for Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries Authority (IFCA). Based in Bristol, Tamsyn is primarily responsible for the delivery of IFCA research objectives within the Severn area, having established survey programmes to assess the availability and use of sea fisheries resources, and habitats of conservation significance. Tamsyn graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology in 2005, before undertaking voluntary work in a variety of marine ecosystems, both in the UK and abroad. Following graduation from MSc Applied Ecology and Conservation in 2009, Tamsyn was recruited to the role of Marine Environmental Scientist in the offshore energy sector. During this period she worked both onshore and offshore to deliver environmental baseline and monitoring projects, and specialised in the assessment of Annex I habitats. Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (D&S IFCA) was fully vested in 2011 under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, to provide inshore fisheries and conservation management, with an increased focus on habitats and ecosystems. The district boundary of the IFCA, which previously encompassed only the Devon coastline to six nautical miles, was substantially increased to include the Severn Estuary and Inner Bristol Channel. Following establishment of a presence in the Severn area of the district, a programme of research activities has commenced, aiming to determine the extent of commercial and recreational use of its marine resources and habitats. This presentation will focus on the role of the IFCA within the Severn area, introducing key current and future research areas, and presenting preliminary data on recreational activities.

1. The Work of the Devon & Severn Inshore
Fisheries & Conservation Authority in the
Severn
Tamsyn Noble
Senior Environment Officer

2. Devon and Severn IFCA
• 2011: Devon & Severn IFCA vested under Marine & Coastal Access Act (2009)
• IFCA assembled of representatives from local authorities (12 members), statutory
agencies (3 members) and MMO appointees (14 members)

3. Part 6, Chapter 1, Section 153 - Management of inshore fisheries
Part 6, Chapter 1, Section 154 - Protection of marine conservation zones
• Sustainable management of sea fisheries resources and habitats
• Balance social and economic benefits of fisheries exploitation with need
to protect the marine environment – increased conservation remit
• Development and management of recreational fishing activities
• Requirement to provide evidence for sustainable exploitation of
fisheries resources through increased data collection and analysis
• Review of existing byelaws
Marine and Coastal Access Act (MaCCA) 2009

4. “Inshore Fisheries and Conservation
Authorities will lead, champion and
manage a sustainable marine
environment and inshore fisheries, by
successfully securing the right balance
between social, environmental, and
economic benefits to ensure healthy
seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable
industry.”
Mission Statement

5. Research Plan 2012/2013
Priority 1
Development of MPA management
plans
Priority 2
Sustainable Management of
Shellfisheries
Priority 3
Development of Recreational
Sea Angling
Activity 1 Habitat mapping and ground truthing of
sensitive features/habitats present in
MPAs in the district
Whelk Fisheries Sustainability
project – Size at sexual maturity
Assessment of distribution and
extent of bait collection in the
district
Activity 2 Mapping of Eel grass beds in MPAs
within the district
Assessment of mussel resources
both intertidal and sub-tidal
Assessment of Recreational Sea
Angling to include distribution
and intensity of activity
Activity 3 Analysis of benefits of MPAs to
surrounding fisheries
Stock assessments of cockle &
clam resources in the district.
Data gathering to inform socio-
economic value of RSA within
the district
Activity 4 Assessment of the impacts of fishing
activity within MPAs
Stock assessment of Scallops in
Salcombe Estuary
Assessment of RSA Landings –
species, numbers, seasonality
Activity 5 Scientific literature review and data
collection to inform impact assessment
for byelaw reviews
Crustacea stock assessments and
analysis of landings
Scientific literature review and
data collection to inform
impact assessment for byelaw
reviews

6. Local Authorities
Local Recreational
Anglers
Local Fishermen
Experts in the
Marine Field
SEP
Devon & Severn
Inshore Fisheries
and Conservation
Authority
IFCA Relationships
ASERA
Local Stakeholders

7. The Severn Estuary - Conservation
• UK Designations
Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI)
National Nature Reserve (NNR)
• EU Designations
Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Special Protected Area (SPA)
RAMSAR site

8. Severn Estuary SAC
• Designated under EU Habitats Directive for….
• Estuaries
• Intertidal Mudflats
• Subtidal Sandbanks
• Reefs
• Atlantic Salt Meadows
• Sea Lamprey
• River Lamprey
• Twaite Shad

9. Intertidal Sabellaria alveolata Mapping
• Tube building worm
• Can form extensive reefs in certain
conditions
• Sabellaria reef is scarce in the UK, found
throughout the Severn to English Stones
• ‘Annex I’ habitat
• Support diverse communities and food
webs
• Mapping and quality assessment is a
priority research objective

10. Lugworm Density Survey
• Lugworm (Arenicola marina) extremely
abundant throughout the Severn
• Huge biomass provides food source for
bird populations, especially in winter
• Survey underway to assess distribution,
abundance and population structure
• Baseline data series to establish
monitoring programme

11. Bait Digging Survey
• Lugworm is a popular bait worm for
recreational angling
• Magna Carta - right to fish
• Can be damaging to environment and
worm populations if excessive
(i.e. large scale commercial)
• District-wide assessment of bait
collection activities

12. Bait Digging Distribution

13. Recreational Sea Angling Survey
• Extremely popular throughout Severn
• 37 sites identified by local anglers
• Weekly shore visits and boat surveys
• Data to feed into national survey
• IFCA questionnaire designed to capture
a wide range of information
• Useful tool for IFCA familiarisation and
public awareness

14. Recreational Sea Angling Survey

15. Recreational Sea Angling Survey
• 86 anglers interviewed so far
• Initial results suggest good conservation
practice by anglers
- Minimum landing size awareness
- Catch and release
- Management suggestions
• Anglers have provided a wealth of
information for this new area of our
district

16. Enforcement
• Whelks, rays, flatfish and others
commercially fished (primarily landed
to Welsh ports)
• Commercial shore fisheries
(e.g. Bridgwater Bay)
• Severn fixed netting restrictions
• Minimum Landing Size - angling

17. www.devonandsevernifca.gov.uk
t.noble@devonandsevernifca.gov.uk
07720 683624