Fisheries Manager

About the role

NWIFCA is seeking to recruit a new Fisheries Manager.

This is a newly created senior role which will enable NWIFCA to further improve its fisheries management strategies and practises, primarily through the development of new byelaws and fisheries management plans (FMPs).

NWIFCA is one of ten Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities in England. We are responsible for the sustainable management of sea fisheries resources within the inshore waters, and along the coast, of North West England. In managing these fisheries, we balance the needs of fishing communities, marine conservation and wider public interest.

In your capacity as the Fisheries Manager, you will lead the development review of local fisheries and conservation measures, including byelaws, permit schemes, FMPs, voluntary measures and associated policies needed to support these.

You will bring together scientific evidence, enforcement experience, legal advice and stakeholder feedback to create clear options for the Authority. You will then lead approved measures through drafting, consultation, confirmation, implementation and review.

To help NWIFCA carry out its statutory duties to manage the exploitation of sea fisheries resources in the district, maintain sustainable fisheries, protect and promote the recovery of the marine environment, and further the conservation objectives of the district’s marine protected areas (MPAs).

Working under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), lead the development review of local fisheries and conservation measures, as well as wider related organisational strategies, policies and procedures. This includes byelaws, permit schemes, fisheries management plans (FMPs), voluntary measures and the policies needed to support them.

Bring together scientific evidence, enforcement experience, legal advice and the knowledge of fishers and other sea users to create clear options for the CEO and Authority members. Lead approved measures through drafting, consultation, confirmation, implementation and review. Represent NWIFCA on fisheries and marine conservation matters covered by the role.

• Work with the CEO, Head of Enforcement and Head of Science to identify fisheries and marine conservation issues that may require action, including matters affecting fish and shellfish stocks, fishing grounds, and MPAs.
• Bring together the best available scientific evidence, fishing and intelligence information, enforcement experience, legal advice, socio-economic information and local knowledge to help inform recommendations to the Authority.
• Develop and compare practical management options for the district’s fisheries. These may include no change, voluntary agreements, codes of practice, permit conditions, time or area restrictions, and byelaws.
• Ensure that advice seeks sustainable exploitation of sea fisheries resources, balances socio-economic benefits with protection or recovery of the marine environment, and supports MPAs’ conservation objectives.
• Set out the likely benefits, impacts, costs, risks and enforce ability of each option, and identify any evidence gaps or further work required.
• Prepare clear recommendations and reports for the CEO and Authority members.

• Keep a planned programme for reviewing, simplifying, replacing or revoking existing byelaws and for developing new ones in line with the Authority’s Byelaw Strategy.
• Lead the day-to-day work of developing byelaws and other fisheries management measures, including scoping the issue, coordinating drafting, preparing impact assessments, running consultations, keeping decision records and arranging legal reviews.
• Act…