The Association of IFCAs is pleased to welcome Sam Dell as its new National Training Manager, bringing extensive experience in marine and fisheries enforcement, with a career spanning maritime, compliance and enforcement.
Sam joins AIFCA following more than 15 years with Southern IFCA where he progressed through a range of operational and senior leadership roles, most recently serving as Principal Deputy Chief Officer with responsibility for the Compliance and Enforcement Team.
Throughout his career, Sam has maintained a strong operational focus alongside his senior leadership responsibilities. He has led complex and high-profile fisheries enforcement activity, working closely with partner agencies to prevent and detect fisheries offences and to strengthen the effectiveness of marine enforcement across Government. Sam has undertaken numerous investigations resulting in successful prosecutions for breaches of fisheries legislation and associated offences. His experience spans the full investigative process, from intelligence gathering and operational activity through to preparing case files and presenting evidence in court.
Alongside his frontline enforcement work, Sam has played an important role in developing national approaches to marine and fisheries enforcement. He was integral to the national maritime asset coordination trial, working with the Marine Management Organisation and Border Force to develop fisheries enforcement capability aboard Border Force Maritime patrol vessels and support the training of Border Force personnel.
Sam has also contributed to the development of nationally recognised enforcement training. He was involved in the original national training accreditation pilot scheme and, in 2022, qualified as a Quality Assessor for the Level 3 Qualification in Marine and Fisheries Enforcement.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam played a key role in the national enforcement response, working with Senior IFCA colleagues and the Marine Management Organisation to develop national protocols and procedures, coordinate intelligence gathering and produce national situation reports. He also chaired the National Inshore Marine Enforcement Group (NIMEG) until November 2022, supporting collaboration, consistency and the sharing of best practice across UK Government.
Sam has continued to support the development of enforcement professionals through his role as a facilitator on the national IFCA Enforcement Course, sharing his practical knowledge and experience with officers entering and progressing within the profession.
In his new role at AIFCA, Sam will focus on supporting the development and delivery of national training for IFCA staff, helping to strengthen professional standards, organisational capability and consistency across the 10 IFCAs.
Sam Dell stated: “I am delighted to be joining the Association of IFCAs as National Training Manager. Having worked within the IFCA network for many years, I have seen first-hand the importance of skilled, confident and well-trained officers in delivering effective fisheries management and enforcement. I am looking forward to building on the excellent work already underway and supporting the continued development of our people and professional standards across the IFCA network.”
Robert Clark, Chief Officer of the Association of IFCAs, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sam to the Association of IFCAs. Sam has maintained a strong connection with operational enforcement throughout his career and has extensive experience across frontline enforcement, complex investigations, multi-agency operations, national policy development, professional training and senior leadership.
“His experience as a facilitator on the national Enforcement Course has also enabled him to support the next generation of enforcement professionals, sharing his extensive practical and investigative knowledge with officers entering and progressing within the profession.
“As National Training Manager for AIFCA, Sam brings together operational credibility, leadership experience and a detailed understanding of professional development. He is committed to supporting consistent national standards, strengthening organisational capability and ensuring that IFCA officers have the knowledge, skills and confidence required to undertake their roles effectively.”*
Sam’s appointment represents a further step in AIFCA’s work to support professional development, knowledge sharing and consistent national standards across the IFCA network.