NWIFCA are currently looking at the logistics of holding an extraordinary TSB under the current government restriction as requested by NWIFCA members to take place before the postponed quarterly meeting on 6th July. The meeting is to consider if the shellfish stocks around Morecambe Bay are sufficient to open a fishery and if it could be possible to open any potential cockle fisheries earlier than the usual date of 1 September. Further details should a meeting be possible will be posted on the website. This is important because Brexit has ended the EU market for live cockles from cockle beds with class B classification unless further purified / depurated / heat treated.  Cockle beds in Morecambe Bay are classified as B or below. We are very sympathetic to the impact of brexit on the local shellfish industry and are working to mitigate the damage to some extent. To increase outlets for cockles, in particular canning, we are urgently surveying to assess whether sufficient stock is present to allow a fishery to open earlier than usual. We understand that opening cockle beds (particularly Pilling sands) in July and August when meat content is highest may assist the canning market. Preparatory work…

On May 7th 2021 legislation allowing for virtual local government meetings expired. Therefore, the proposed meeting to be held on 18th May 2021 should be held at a physical location. Unfortunately as a Covid secure location could not be found in time, the meeting has had to be cancelled.

All byelaw 3 permit holders are reminded that the cockle closed season commences on 1 May. No cockle fishing in the District is permitted  from 1 May to 31 August 2021. Fishing for mussel above the Minimum Conservation Reference Size (45mm length) is permitted. Fishing for undersize (seed) mussel is not permitted anywhere in the District. Seed mussel areas may be opened later in the year subject to survey and HRA. Announcements of openings will be  on the website as usual. Following the recent consultation on whether to allow cockle fishing in May, the Authority has considered responses from byelaw 3 permit holders and concluded that all cockle beds should shut as planned on 1st May 2021. Feedback from permit holders in the consultation will be discussed at the Technical, Science and Byelaws Subcommittee on Tuesday 18th May. NWIFCA will continue to assess the cockle stocks within the district and further consider management options for any potential opening of cockle beds for the 2021/2022 season.

At the request of the Authority, NWIFCA officers are consulting Byelaw 3 permit holders on their views regarding leaving open cockle beds in the District until the 31st May 2021. This is as a result over external pressures faced by industry during the coronavirus pandemic and post EU exit. This would only apply to beds currently open (Newbiggin, Flookburgh, Leven and Pilling) and would be subject to stock assessments, HRA (Habitats Regulation Assessment) and approval by the TSB committee. There may be the need to have fishing restrictions to ensure the beds are not over exploited. NWIFCA will continue to assess the cockle stocks within the district and further consider management options for any potential opening of cockle beds for the 2021/2022 season, which may involve seeking your views again. Please could you submit your response by email to [email protected] by Friday 9th April. Please state clearly in the email, your name and if Newbiggin, Flookburgh, Leven and Pilling should remain open until 31st May 2021 or close on the 1st May 2021.

On 18th March 2021 at Liverpool Magistrates, Jones Trawlers Ltd and Mr Liam Jones were fined a combined total of £48,500 for dredging without relevant authority in the Liverpool Bay area following an earlier guilty plea.  In February and March 2019, the scallop dredger “Kingfisher” towed scalloping gear into the NWIFCA District and the Liverpool Bay Special Protection Area, before landing catches to North Wales. Following an investigation, both defendants were charged on four counts of dredging without a permit. The sea bed habitats within the Liverpool Bay Special Protection Area are home to numerous ecologically important benthic species such as molluscs, sponges and star fish which support the designated bird species within the area. Protected birds include the Red-throated diver which is likely to have been present in the area feeding before migrating back to Arctic breeding grounds. To date dredging has not been permitted in the area and it is estimated that the seabed could take up to two years to recover from the offences.  District Judge Shaw during sentencing stated “Given the specialist nature of their business its scale and experience together with the previous convictions which have been referred to and the fact that whilst this…

Between 1st March and 30th November (inclusive) a recreational fisher can retain two size (42cm or larger) European seabass per day. No European seabass can be taken if caught by fixed nets. These rules apply if you are fishing from a boat or from the shore. Any additional Euoprean seabass caught must be returned immediately. Bass must be handled carefully to ensure a high survival rate of released fish. Anglers are advised to carry forceps or long-nosed pliers to assist removal of hooks and to support fish in the water until they are able to swim away.

Grants of up to £2 million each are now available to help the nation build back greener from the coronavirus pandemic, the government announced on Tuesday 9 March. The second round of the Green Recovery Challenge fund will award up to £40 million in grants to environmental charities and their partners across England to create and retain jobs while restoring nature and tackling climate change. All projects must contribute to at least one of the following themes of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund: nature conservation and restoration; nature-based solutions, particularly focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation; and, connecting people with nature. Almost £40 million was awarded in November in the first round to 68 projects that will help to restore damaged habitats such as moorlands, wetlands and forests – which will see over 800,000 trees planted. The projects will also support conservation work and help to improve education about the environment. The fund will be delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England, the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency. For grants of over £250,000, applicants must submit an expression of interest by 22 March and if successful will be invited to submit a full application. The…

About the Scheme The Seafood Response Fund (SRF) is designed to help UK fishing and shellfish aquaculture businesses that have been affected by the downturn of export and domestic markets for fish and shellfish due to the coronavirus pandemic and/or disruption to seafood exports earlier this year. The SRF will directly contribute towards the fixed business costs of approximately 2500 eligible fishing and shellfish aquaculture businesses. It will be administered by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (Defra). Who is Eligible To be eligible for the Seafood Response Fund (SRF) you must be one of the following: A qualifying business within the UK catching sector A qualifying shellfish business within the UK aquaculture sector Qualifying Businesses – Catching Sector Qualifying fishing businesses must meet the following criteria: They must be the owner of a fishing vessel of under 40m in overall length registered in the UK Vessels must be licenced to fish by the relevant UK fisheries administration in which they are primarily administered. Vessels administered by Crown Dependencies or Overseas Territories are not included within this scheme. The vessel must be currently registered with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency…

To reduce the risk of bird entanglement in fishing nets the NWIFCA recommends that the following Code of Practice should be followed: No netting of any type in the area highlighted in the map below during the period 5th March to 25th July** If you do accidentally catch a bird in your net outside of the area or in any non-netting gear within the area ensure that you contact the NWIFCA by email at [email protected] or by phone on 01524 727970 (option 3) with details of the capture including location, number of birds and species The sea around St. Bees Head is important for many species of birds which nest on the cliffs and feed on fish in the area. Some of the birds are susceptible to becoming accidentally entrapped by nets and disturbed by vessel movement. At particular times of year (around the breeding season) these birds are at especially high risk. Nobody wants to see birds caught in fishing gear, including those fishing the gear. Apart from the obvious damage to those individual birds, it can cause distress to the public and lead to a damaging perception of fishing. Note: St Bees Head is part of the Cumbria…

Senior Scientist to lead NWIFCA science and conservation team of 3 Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Advisors (Based in Carnforth with travel throughout the District) The following terms apply: Salary Scale: £29,577 – £33,782 from 1 April 2020 Local Government Scale 25-30; starting point according to experience rising by one point per year subject to annual assessments. Pension: Local government scheme (defined benefits and employer contributions). Hours of Work: 37 hour per week with ‘flexitime’. The posts involves working unsocial hours, including early mornings, late evenings and weekends as required by tides and survey duties. Medical: Appointment to the post is dependent on passing an ML5 Medical. BPSS Check: Appointment dependent on satisfactory BPSS Check. Closing Date: 15 March 2021 Job Description Job Title: Senior Scientist Job Purpose Plan and manage NWIFCA scientific and fisheries monitoring programme Manage a team of 3 Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Advisors Promote sustainable use of marine resources Inform and advise the Authority on NWIFCA science and conservation work Impact assessment of fishing activity Stock assessment and species survey, GIS mapping, data analysis Report to the Authority and to Government as required Data collation and sharing for NWIFCA Consult local fishers and other stakeholders Develop survey…

The NWIFCA aims “to lead, champion and manage a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries by successfully securing the right balance between social, environmental and economic benefits to ensure healthy seas, sustainable fisheries and a viable industry”. Further details on the NWIFCA constitution can be found here and Defra guidance to the IFCAs can be found here. NWIFCA have commissioned Risk & Policy Analysts (RPA) to review the policies, procedures and governance of the Authority to ensure that they are appropriate for current and future challenges. The survey is designed to allow you to provide your views of the policies, procedures and governance of the Authority. The results will feed into the interviewing process that will form the next stage of this review. In accordance with RPA protocols and government guidelines (i.e. Cyber Essentials: plus https://rpaltd.co.uk/news/rpa-has-achieved-cyber-essentials-plus-certification) all survey data will be handled securely, confidentially and sensitively. RPA are happy to send an email attachment to participants who have difficulties accessing the survey online. If you prefer an emailed version, then please contact either Elle Claiborn on [email protected] or Gurpreet Padda on [email protected] or please telephone the team on +44 (0)1603 558442, +44 (0)1603 558101, or +44 (0)1603 558516 The survey…

We have become aware of an article on the Save Our Sea Bass website alleging that the North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority has being lobbying to allow Bass to be retained from nets set from the shore. The Authority has not made representations to the government on this matter.