D&S IFCA provides greater detail in its investigation tables with additional links to case summary outcomes.
Background
D&S IFCA’s Enforcement Team currently consists of five Enforcement Officers to cover the entire D&S IFCA District. As set out within its Enforcement and Compliance Strategy, the Authority has a risk based and intelligence led approach to its enforcement activity.
For many years D&S IFCA has produced investigation tables and displayed these tables on its website. The investigation tables, to date, have provided an insight into the types of offences investigated by D&S IFCA’s Enforcement Team, the offence detail and the outcome of the investigation.
To provide greater detail and transparency with information, the investigation tables have been expanded to include links to case summaries for 2025 based on the official MG5 case summaries, with personal information removed. A new website page has been created to enable a reader to download the investigation table spreadsheet and to use the new links within it.
Our New Website Page
Please visit our new Investigations Outcomes website page to access the investigations tables via a link on that page or you can view the investigation table, with the new links, by clicking here.
Disposal Options and Process
Where the Authority undertakes compliance activity, it works in accordance with the Hampton Principles of Better Regulation as set out in the Regulators’ Compliance Code and the Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (as amended).
Different disposal options are available to the Authority. Once an investigation has been completed the case file is forwarded to the Authority’s solicitors (prosecuting agents). The solicitors’ role is to consider whether the evidential and public interest tests have been satisfied and to advise on what action is appropriate to dispose of the investigation. The solicitors are bound by The Code for Crown Prosecutors and must be fair, independent and objective. Once the solicitors’ opinion is received, the Chief Officer has the delegated responsibility from the Authority to make, in consultation with the Senior Enforcement Officer and the Authority’s Chair, the final decision on how to dispose of an investigation.
Reporting Illegal Fishing
D&S IFCA actively encourages the reporting of suspected illegal fishing. There are different ways to do this including visiting our Reporting Illegal Fishing website page and completing the incident gathering form set out on that page. The form can be completed without entering your name or contact details. Alternatively, you can contact our Officers directly or use the incident line:
07740 175479