Outside body

The Authority is responsible for the management of the commercial and recreational fisheries within coastal Council landward areas and sea areas up to 6 nautical miles offshore in the North Western district of the UK. They have authority under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to create and enforce byelaws for the purpose of sustainably managing fisheries resources in the area from the Welsh Border in the Dee Estuary to the Scottish Border in the Solway Firth which spans 850km of coastline.

It is made up of representatives from the constituent local authorities who provide funding for the Authority through levies raised, along with representatives of the Environment Agency, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Natural England, and people from across the different sectors that use or are knowledgeable about the inshore marine area, such as commercial and recreational fishermen, environmental groups, and marine researchers, who are appointed by the MMO.

Meetings are held quarterly. Further details about the Authority and the agendas and minutes of the meetings may be accessed on the Authority website.