Today, the UK Government, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, Scottish Government, and Welsh Government are launching a public consultation on the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS). A key component of the Fisheries Act 2020, the Joint Fisheries Statement sets out the legally binding policies the UK Government and Devolved Governments will follow, at a UK level and individually, as they work together to deliver world-class sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management. The consultation, running from 18 January to 12 April 2022, will welcome views from industry and environmental stakeholders, the public and all those interested and affected by the proposed policies. The Joint Fisheries Statement sets out policies from the respective governments for achieving, or contributing to achieving, the eight objectives outlined in the Fisheries Act 2020 which will help to achieve the UK’s vision for clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologically diverse oceans and seas. In line with the Fisheries Act’s objectives and international obligations, the Joint Fisheries Statement sets out how the UK will adopt an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management and includes a commitment to mapping and protecting our blue carbon resources. It recognises the importance of fishing and aquaculture, and the benefits it…

The Sea Angling Diary Project is for English and Welsh sea anglers to help improve the sustainable management of marine stocks and demonstrate the value of sea angling. The project has helped to report the activity, catches and economic and social value of recreational sea angling since 2016 which is used to inform better decision making about sea angling’s future. Diarists record their sea angling sessions and catches each month via an online website tool or a mobile app. Over 2,000 sea anglers take part every year – join them now and discover some great benefits! A free catch recording kit with waterproof notebook, sea fish identification guide and tape measure. A free mobile app to record all your fishing sessions (location, tackle, weather and tide) and all your catches (including length and numbers kept and returned). All new users in 2022 get a free waterproof phone holder when they use the app. Perfect for entering data as you fish. Entry into monthly prize draws for £50 and £25 Fishing Megastore vouchers and an RNLI goody bag. To find out more and sign up, visit www.seaangling.org

At the Technical. Science and Byelaw meeting held on the 2nd of November it was resolved that NWIFCA should review the Newbiggin and Pilling Sands HRA. The review was submitted to Natural England on the 20th of December 2021. NWIFCA received a formal response on the 6th of January 2022. It was concluded that the fishery at Newbiggin alongside Pilling Sands was not HRA compliant. Therefore, the Newbiggin cockle bed will remain closed under NWSFC Byelaw 13A along with other beds within Morecambe Bay. Correspondence: NWIFCA Morecambe Bay Cockle Fishery HRA Review (PDF) NE Response Letter To Morecambe Bay Cockle Fishery HRA Review (PDF)

The MMO has several current and upcoming general member vacancies in the ten regional IFCAs across England. They will be seeking to appoint to fill current vacancies and create a reserve list for upcoming vacancies. These voluntary roles require candidates who can take a balanced approach to caring for our seas, assessing the priority and importance of all users and stakeholders. It is essential that candidates have a good local knowledge of the IFCA area for which they are applying. The members of the IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of their IFCA district. The MMO are also accepting applications from both current and former IFCA general members who are nearing the end of their ten-year term as well as those members who have left having already served a ten-year term. Applications from these members will be considered alongside all other applicants in a fair an open competitive process and appointed on merit to ensure a fair balance of sector representation. The role of an IFCA General Member The members of the IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of the inshore marine area of their IFCA district. Appointees to IFCAs are legally…

The UK government will invest £20 million per year in Tidal Stream electricity as part of its flagship renewable energy auction scheme, kickstarting a brand-new chapter for the tidal industry and creating jobs across the UK. Today’s announcement (24 November 2021) will unlock the potential for a thriving UK tidal power sector, with the cash boost supporting marine technologies which could benefit the whole of the UK. As part of the fourth allocation round of the Contracts for Difference Scheme due to open next month, the UK government will ensure that £20 million per year will be ringfenced for Tidal Stream projects, giving the marine energy sector a chance to develop their technology and lower their costs in a similar way to the UK’s world-leading offshore wind industry. This will bring the total funding for this allocation round to £285 million per year. History has illustrated the effectiveness of the scheme’s design in keeping costs down – between the first allocation round in 2015 and the most recent round in 2019, the price per unit (MWh) of offshore wind fell by around 65%. Over time marine technologies have the potential to significantly contribute to our decarbonisation commitments and could support…

Millom Coastguard have issued a warning following a confirmed wash up of a Portuguese Man o’War on the beach at Haverigg. The venom can cause pain to humans and animals and in extreme cases can even cause death. Millom Coastguard are urging people to take care especially with children and animals who are naturally inquisitive.

There have been reports of a highly poisonous plant being washed up on local beaches. So far there have been confirmed sightings at Millom and St Bees. Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata), also known as Dead Man’s Fingers. Even a small portion can prove fatal to humans by attacking the nervous system. It is also fatal to animals. The plant has a highly poisonous root that looks, and smells, like Parsnip. It is highly likely that this is happening due to the aftermath of recent stormy weather. The Coastguard advise people, especially with children and animals, to stay vigilant, avoid this plant and take extra care when visiting the beach.

Agenda for the North West VIIA Fisheries Group meeting to be held on 9th November 2021 15:00 pm – 17:00 pm  

There was unfortunately a dropped object incident at the Ormonde Offshore Wind Farm on Friday 15th October 2021, during which a rotor and 3 turbine blades fell into the water. A Kingfisher bulletin was issued. Subsequently, various sized fragments of the 3 blades have been washing up on the beaches along the Cumbrian coast, from Walney Island and north towards Workington and Whitehaven. Ambipar Response https://ambipar.com/uk/ (an Environmental Response contractor), have been enlisted to assist in the clean-up operation. They currently have 5 teams working along the coastline, collecting debris that they identify, and we ask that members of the public report any sightings of debris via the dedicated reporting phone line 0333 4141 912. When the weather allows, it is intended that a RIB will be deployed to assist nearshore surveys. Click here for more information

In this issue of the marine planning newsletter you will find: Progress towards adoption of the North East, North West, South East, South West Marine plans Baseline monitoring surveys for the North East, North West, South East and South West Marine Plans South Marine Plans Three Yearly-Report Monitoring Report Joint Working: Offshore Transmission Network Review Marine Planners updates from around the coast Team changes and recruitment Coastal marine planners Click here to access the newsletter

NWIFCA have received formal advice on the Pilling and Newbiggin cockle fishery HRA. After a requirement for further information to be provided on previous years cockle stock and landings and additional assessment on a number of SPA features, which from BTO WeBS data are down in numbers in 2020, a fishery at Pilling would be HRA compliant and the NWSFC Byelaw 13A closure will be removed as of 00:01 Monday 13th September 2021. When considering the potential impacts of opening both Pilling and Newbiggin the conclusion of the HRA was that the fisheries would not be HRA compliant, as there would not be sufficient cockle in varied size ranges on the remainder of the closed beds for bird food requirements and therefore Newbiggin will remain closed. Additionally there have been reports from industry and IFCOs of a spat settlement on parts of Flookburgh, Leven and Pilling which has been incorporated into the amended HRA. For further information please contact the office.

An inspection was carried out on 24th August 2021. The condition of the mussel and the substrate it is on has changed which is expected due to the weather, time of year and that the mussel has been fished. The mussel has reduced in density and the layer of sediment protecting the underlying substrate has thinned with areas of exposed stony sediment. The substrate present is sand and there is very little mud present. The mussel present is hard in and currently stable. Due to the fishery no longer being HRA compliant the fishery is closed with immediate effect. The AUTHORISATION TO FISH UNDERSIZED MUSSEL FROM SOUTH AMERICA 2021 has been revoked. All NWIFCA Dredge Permit holders will be notified that the flexible permit conditions allowing dredging at South America has been revoked.  The bed will continued to be monitored and should the situation change further updates will be provided. For further information please contact the office.