NWIFCA Potting Permit Applications – Commercial Crab, Lobster and Nephrops

The NWIFCA Potting Permit Byelaw 2020 was sent to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on 17 July 2020 for Q&A prior to being sent to Defra for confirmation by the Secretary of State. During this process the byelaw may be subject to minor amendment, but NWIFCA is now inviting stakeholders who pot for species other than whelks.

To apply for a permit use the category one application form below:

Download Category One Potting Permit Application Form (Word Doc)

Although there is no deadline for applying for a permit to pot for species other than whelks, the NWIFCA is carrying out this administrative exercise now to ensure the byelaw can be practically implemented as swiftly as possible once the Secretary of State confirms the byelaw.

No payments will be accepted until the byelaw is confirmed, at which point providing all the requirements for obtaining a permit have been met, applicants will be contacted to make payment.

No permits will be issued until payments have been processed.

Please note that NWIFCA cannot provide updates on the progress of the Byelaw during this time and we appreciate your patience. We do undertake to notify you as soon as there is any concrete news.

To assist applications the Byelaw and Flexible Permit Conditions are available below in the format sent to MMO (prior to any amendments required by MMO). A guidance document explaining Category One permits in plain English can also be downloaded below.

Open Potting Permit Byelaw (PDF)

Open Potting Permit Flexible Conditions (PDF)

Open Category One Permit Guidance (PDF)