On the 1st of April the Sea Fisheries Committee's were abolished, and under an Act of Parliament a new Authority was established called the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) with new duties and a full suite
of powers to implement the change. In future more emphases will be on
conservation which will be even more important as the Offshore Wind Farm
takes place. Watchful will still carry out it's original task of Fisheries
Protection.
It has also been decided that the Fisheries Protection Vessel "Watchful" will
continue to use SHOREHAM PORT as its home base. However as the duties of
the "IFCA" had been expanded larger premises were needed to house the enlarged workforce of scientist and mariners, and West Sussex County Council were able to assist in securing larger premises on the Quayside of Shoreham
Harbour. "As the Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources with
special responsibility for property my team of officers and I were able to expedite matters to everyone's satisfaction" said Janet.
The Minister for Fisheries came to Shoreham to open the new premises accompanied by the Leader of West Sussex County Council.