Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Officer (IFCO)

Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) are currently looking for an
individual who will contribute to the operational delivery of Control and Enforcement in the
inshore coastal waters of Hampshire, Dorset, and the Isle of Wight. 

The diverse commercial and recreational fisheries within the district play a vital role in
supporting the coastal communities along our coast. The district also hosts a network of
nationally and internationally important Marine Protected Areas. 

In this exciting and dynamic role, the successful candidate will work across the Authority’s
three Fisheries Protection Vessels, operating in either the role of Skipper or crew (subject to
previous experience). Accordingly the individual will either facilitate and/or undertake
boardings of fishing vessels at sea, in addition to conducting shore-based inspections of
vessels and premises. 

In this varied operational role, the successful applicant will also support Southern IFCA in
its delivery of drone flight operations in accordance with business needs. Collectively, both
onshore and at sea work will help support Southern IFCA’s delivery of its statutory duties
relating to fisheries and conservation management. 

Whilst delivering operational marine functions, the successful candidate will undertake
training to become a warranted IFCO. Once qualified as an IFCO, the successful applicant will
champion the delivery of proportionate and effective regulatory enforcement of Southern IFCA
byelaws, as well as national fisheries legislation, working as a member of the Compliance and
Enforcement Team. 

The successful candidate will be a good team player with excellent communication skills, with
an ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships in order to promote and
maintain compliance via stakeholder engagement. 

This is an exciting time to join Southern IFCA, where realisation as an independent coastal
state is forging new ways of governance in inshore fisheries. In addition, during 2024 Southern
IFCA will be introducing a new bespoke Fisheries Protection Vessel, which has been procured to
support the future delivery of compliance and enforcement across the District’s waters. We look
forward to receiving applications from dynamic and motivated individuals who are invested in
promoting and delivering the National IFCA vision.