North Western IFCA

27/10/2026

📣Attention Byelaw 3 Permit holders

📌Flexible Permit Condtions and Tides are now available

📌Please visit our website for full details

This page is dedicated solely to updates for Leven and Newbiggin Cockle Fishery Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Uptake Tracker 0 out of 1867 tonnes Leven and Newbiggin 27th October 2026 Flexible Permit conditons for November are now available November FPC and Tides 20th October 2026 At today’s meeting...

26/10/2026

📢 We're Recruiting - Whitehaven IFCO

There's still time to apply for our fixed-term Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officer (IFCO) to join our Whitehaven office.

Join our team and play a vital role in protecting and sustainably managing the North West's inshore fisheries and marine environment.

📅 Applications close on 1 November.

For more information and to apply, visit our website.

North Western IFCA is recruiting for a fixed-term Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officer (IFCO) to join our Whitehaven office.

21/10/2026

📢 Reminder: Shrimp Environment Assessment Study Final Workshop – 26 October

The workshop will bring together fishers, regulators, researchers and other stakeholders to discuss the findings from the project investigating the decline of Morecambe Bay's brown shrimp and what the results mean for the future of the fishery.

📅 26 October

📍 Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands

🕤 9:30am – 4:00pm

🥪 Lunch provided

The morning session will focus on presenting the project's findings and discussing the results with industry.

The afternoon session will explore potential next steps and future collaboration opportunities with external partners.

You don't need to attend the whole day. Feel free to drop in for the sessions that are most relevant to you.

This is an open meeting and everyone is welcome. Reimbursement may be available for commercial fishers; please contact the office to discuss.

We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your views on the future of the fishery.

20/10/2026

📣 At today's meeting of the NWIFCA TSB Sub-Committee, the members voted for:

1. Newbiggin and Leven cockle bed to be opened as early as practicable, for 7 days a week, one tide a day with a 1867 tonne TAC, under Byelaw 3 Flexible Permit Conditions and subject to HRA

2. All other District cockle beds, including Middleton, Warton, Pilling, Flookburgh, and Aldingham, remain closed under paragraph 15 of Byelaw 3.

📌The Newbiggin and Leven Cockle fishery is due to open on Monday 2nd Nov 2026.

📌Flexible permit conditions will be issued next week.

20/10/2026

Yesterday, our officers on the Wirral popped in to visit the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team.

🤝 It's always good to catch up with other coastal agencies working within our district.

📞 If you see anyone in difficulty along the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

19/10/2026

📢 Reminder: Fisheries Manager Vacancy

There's still time to apply for our new Fisheries Manager position at NWIFCA.

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

📅 Applications close on 25 October

For full details and to apply, visit our website.

North Western IFCA has an exciting new job opportunity as a Fisheries Manager on a fixed-term contract until March 2030. Role: Fisheries Manager Location: Head Office (Carnforth) Contract: Fixed-term until March 2030, full-time (37 hours per week) Starting Salary: £48,738-£55,224 (subject to futur...

15/10/2026

The autumn edition of IFCA Insights is now published!

IFCA Insights is the Association of IFCAs’ quarterly newsletter, designed to better connect and communicate the work carried out across England’s ten IFCAs.

In this edition the newsletter highlights:

· AIFCA's work to improve recruitment of IFCA members

· Collaborative programmes such as the Rays of Tope project and the Tuna Trace project

· The AIFCA’s new National Training Manager, Sam Dell

· The launch of AIFCA's Annual Report 2025-26

· …And much more

These newsletters will be released Quarterly, with the next edition in December.

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR OCTOBER NEWSLETTER The Association of IFCAs is excited to release our October edition of IFCA Insights. IFCA Insights is designed to better connect and communicate the work carried out across England’s ten IFCAs. The Association of IFCAs represents the ten IFCAs in England an...

14/10/2026

🌊 This morning, NWIFCA officers were out on the sands at Pilling carrying out the monthly collection of cockle and mussel samples for Wyre Council.

Regular sampling plays an important role in monitoring shellfish quality and helps ensure that local shellfish beds continue to be managed responsibly.

08/10/2026

Following a busy summer of increased activity, NWIFCA officers have continued regular patrols along the north Wirral coastline as part of Op Wistful, supporting the ongoing enforcement of Byelaw 2 – North Wirral Foreshore Bivalve Molluscs.

During patrols, officers have identified a range of offences and non-compliance. A proportionate approach has been taken, with responses ranging from education, advice and guidance to verbal warnings and, where necessary, further investigation with a view to potential prosecution.

The ongoing presence of officers helps to monitor activity across the fishery, reinforce the closure and support compliance with the byelaw.

07/10/2026

🔷 We invite you to join us for the final workshop as part of the Shrimp Environment Assessment Study (SEAS) project.

🔷 Fishers, regulators, and researchers will come together to discuss the findings from the project investigating the decline of Morecambe Bay’s brown shrimp and what it means for the future of the fishery.

🔷 The workshop will be held in Victoria Hall in Grange-over-Sands on the 26 October from 9:30am – 4:00pm. Lunch will be provided.

🔷 You don’t have to stay for the whole day – feel free to drop in and attend for as long as you can.

🔷 This is an open meeting where everyone is invited to join, reimbursement may be available for commercial fishers (please contact the office to discuss).

We invite you to join us for the final workshop as part of the Shrimp Environment Assessment Study (SEAS) project. Fishers, regulators, and researchers will come together to discuss the findings from the project investigating the decline of Morecambe Bay’s brown shrimp and what it means for the f...