The North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (the North Western IFCA) was established under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and the North Western Eastern Fisheries and Conservation Order 2010.

NWIFCA is one of 10 IFCA managing and regulating English coastal waters. The statutory duties of the IFCA are set out in the Act and the vision defined by Defra when IFCA were established is as follows:

“North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority will lead, champion and manage a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries in its District by successfully securing the right balance between social, environmental and economic benefits to ensure healthy seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable industry.