Fisheries Manager

Employer: North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NWIFCA)
Location: Head Office (Carnforth)
Contract: Fixed-term until March 2030, full-time (37 hours per week)
Starting Salary: £48,738-£55,224 (subject to future pay increments and pay awards); Local Government Pension Scheme.
Closing Date: 25th October 2026
Interview Date: 5th and 6th November 2026

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).

About us

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.

What you will be doing

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.

About you

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• strong interest in, and experience of, fisheries / marine management, or wider environmental regulation or enforcement;
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• experience of assessing evidence from a range of sources (quantitative and qualitative), translating complex technical information into clear recommendations;
• excellent written and analytical skills and attention to detail;
• ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• willingness and ability to work outdoors and at unsocial hours from time to time.

Previous experience in fisheries enforcement, marine regulation, environmental management, legal drafting, regulatory compliance, or a similar field would be an advantage. However, we are interested in candidates from any backgrounds with transferable skills and the right mindset.

Essential criteria

• Degree, postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional experience in fisheries management, marine science, environmental science, ecology, natural resource management, marine policy, law or another relevant discipline.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to fisheries, marine conservation, environmental management, regulation or public sector decision making.

Desirable criteria

Postgraduate qualification in fisheries science, marine resource management, marine conservation, environmental law / policy or a related subject.

How to apply

To apply, please send a completed application form to [email protected] by 25th October 2026.

Application sifting will occur the following week, with interviews anticipated for the week commencing 2nd November. These will be in our Head Office in Carnforth.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Mark Taylor, NWIFCA CEO, on 01524 727970 or at [email protected].

NWIFCA is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.