Defra are asking for evidence on how well IFCAs have worked to meet their duties in the last 4 years (September 2014 to September 2018). They are seeking evidence on how effectively and fairly Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) have operated between 2014 and 2018. The evidence gathered will be used to prepare a statutory report into the conduct and operation of IFCAs. To participate in the consultation please follow this link.

A new project is underway to help improve advice on ways to prevent seals from taking fish catches. Seals eat catches from fishing gear in areas throughout English waters, particularly in the south west, north east and east.  This is costly to the industry both in terms of loss of catch but also in damaged gear. ABPmer, a marine consultancy based on the south coast, is working with the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) to gain an up-to-date understanding of the issue, and to identify and trial possible seal deterrents with the fishing industry. Suzannah Walmsley, project manager, said; “Current government advice is that other deterrents must be tried before shooting. However when you’re on a fishing vessel in open water, alternative viable options are limited.” “We would like as many fishermen as possible to complete our online survey about their experiences of interactions with seals, whether they experience an issue or not. We want to know about the extent of the problem, the impact on the fishing industry, and any experiences with or ideas about possible seal deterrent options. There is even the chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher for completing the survey!” Following the data gathering…

  The North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NWIFCA) has received its new patrol vessel, The North Western Protector. She will replace the aging Solway Protector which has seen over 30 years of service. The North Western Protector measures in at  20m long and 8.4 metres beam. She is equipped with two 1100hp MAN engines and has a top speed of approximately 25 knots. The facilities on board will greatly increase both NWIFCA’s enforcement and science operations. These include: Cabin facilities for 6 officers Wet laboratory space Dry laboratory space Stern ramp launching facilities Crane Net and pot hauler Space to store ATV’s on deck  

The NWIFCA is to authorise current NWIFCA Byelaw 3 permit holders to gather cockle (size and undersize) from North Penfold from 30th July 2018 to 31st August 2018. Fishing is only authorised during specified tides Monday – Friday (excluding bank holiday Monday). For full details read the Authorisation and HRA available to download below. Authorisation and HRA North Penfold Authorisation North Penfold HRA Access Permits You must obtain an access permit from Sefton Council to access the fishery. Vehicle permits will not be issued on site and must be in place prior to the cockle fishery opening. No permits will be issued after the 27th July. All vehicle permit applications will require the following documentation: Current and valid vehicle insurance documents for quad bike and transport vehicle Signed terms and conditions Completed contact information sheet And one of the following: NWIFCA Byelaw 3 Permit or; NWIFCA Support Worker Permit or; GLAA Gangmaster Licence If you wish to supply documents in advance, contact Gill Burcombe at [email protected] for a vehicle permit application pack. Permits must be collected from the Ainsdale Discovery Centre (address below) between Monday 23rd July – Friday 27th July between the hours of 10:00 and 15:30. You can arrange your…

Each year the Shark Trust work with the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs department (Defra) to produce and distribute Commercial Fisheries Advisories. These are designed to assist the commercial fishing industry and fisheries management and enforcement agencies. They provide rapid access to the current legislative status of sharks, skates and rays in UK, EU and international waters. In 2018 the Shark Trust have produced 29 Commercial Fisheries Advisories, which can be downloaded here: Sharktrust.org The shark, skate and ray ID Guides may also be useful.

The NWIFCA is to authorise current NWIFCA Byelaw 3 permit holders to gather seed mussel from Heysham Flat skear from Monday 23 July 2018. Fishing is only authorised during daylight hours Monday – Friday. For full details view the Authorisation and HRA below. Authorisation and HRA Heysham Flat Seed Mussel Authorisation Heysham Flat Seed Mussel HRA Access Permits Access arrangements to the fishery must be made through Lancaster City Council.  

Defra has opened a consultation on the recently published fisheries white paper. The paper sets out Defra’s plan for the future of fisheries management post leaving the EU. The consultation is open for ten weeks and closes on 12th September 2018. You can find the white paper, the consultation, and respond to the consultation on Defra’s website here.

Chinese mitten crabs are present in the Walney Channel. Chinese mitten crabs are an invasive non-native species and are listed as a Species of Union Concern under EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) it is an offence to release Chinese mitten crab. They must not be imported, transported, permitted to reproduce or grow, or released into the environment. Anyone found guilty of this offence is liable to legal proceedings and hefty fines. It is in your interest and the prospect of future fisheries and markets to follow this advice. There is a risk of presence of Chinese mitten crab amongst the mussel in Morecambe Bay and the Duddon Estuary. You are advised to treat the movement of mussels with the utmost caution, especially mussel going for relaying so that you do not transport Chinese mitten crab to other areas. Use the advice in the Bangor Mussel Producers ‘Mussel Code of Practice for seed mussel movements’ to inspect your catch before moving it from the bed. The level of risk depends on the time of year and life stage. Over the winter the greatest risk is from adults, which can be identified from…

Research suggests that plastic debris has been present in the marine environment for at least 60 years (Avio et al. 2017). However, due to the recent increase in media coverage from documentaries, such as Blue Planet II, public interest in marine contaminants has intensified. It is now recognised that plastics are the most abundant form of marine litter, accounting towards 60-80% of all marine debris (Foekema et al. 2013). One of the predominant issues with the presence of plastic in the marine environment is from consumption by organisms and subsequent entry into the food web. Consumption of plastics can result in a variety of health issues in marine species, including problems with digestion and feeding (Fendall & Sewell, 2009; Rummel et al. 2016). As in the marine environment, it is possible for humans to ingest microplastics from seafood. The issue with the presence of plastics in marine fisheries to human health has been raised in research with some evidence indicating that plastics absorb toxins that are carcinogenic (Mozaffarian & Rimm, 2006; Seltenrich, 2015). However, the exact health risks are currently unclear and previous studies have highly recommended that further research is needed to determine the exact health issues that may…

SOLD FPV “Solway Protector” – 54 foot patrol and survey vessel – Price on request Vessel Particulars The “Solway Protector” was built by ‘Halmatic’ at Havant, and commissioned in early 1989. The vessel was designed specifically to undertake sea fishery patrols, survey and sampling duties. A large working area is situated the full width of the transom, ideal for carrying out experimental survey work and practical fishing applications. All services and repairs are up to date. Coding – Small Commercial Vessel – category 2 up to 60 miles from a safe haven. General Specification LOA 53′.4″ Beam 17’6 6″ Draught 4′ 6″ Displacement 28 tonnes Speed 18.5 knots Hull construction GRP Engines Twin 503 hp Caterpillar Electrics 24v DC & 240v AC Generator 5.4RW auxillary DOT classification VIIIa Webasto heating system and 240 & 24V throughout the vessel. Wheelhouse VHF Icom DS-100 with DSC controller Navitron NT 921G auto pilot Racal Decca Bridgemaster – 48 mile radius Furuno FCV-668 echo sounder Burglar alarm Loud hailer Pyrogen engine room fire smothering system Search light Wynn window wiper system (3 units) 3 x CAB suspension seats Accommodation The accommodation provides three permanent berths (1 x single, 1 x bunks), a bathroom with…

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has launched a formal consultation on proposed new management measures to prohibit bottom towed fishing gear within West of Walney Marine conservation Zone (MCZ) as a result of the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) revised approach to managing fisheries in marine protected areas (MPA). The consultation will run from 08 May until the 13 July 2018. As part of the consultation MMO is asking for comments on the draft byelaw, associated impact assessment and the sites fisheries assessment. Information about this consultation can be found here. All responses from the formal public consultation will be considered, and if appropriate, MMO will amend the draft byelaw before either making the byelaw, or consulting on the amended draft byelaw. Further information about these consultations can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/managing-fisheries-in-marine-protected-areas. Information can also be requested from [email protected].

Following unanimous agreement at the Bivalve Mollusc Working Group (BMWG) meeting held on 3rd May 2018, NWIFCA has issued an Authorisation to Byelaw 3 permit holders to remove undersize mussel from a specified area on the South America/Falklands skears in north Morecambe Bay. The authorisation is limited to specific tides for 6 days starting on 14th May. Full details of conditions under which all gathering must be carried out are within the authorisation, along with the mapping and co-ordinates of the only areas open for fishing. The authorisation can be found here: South America/Falklands Authorisation A full Habitats Regulations Assessment for this fishery is available here: South America/Falklands HRA Further discussion on this area will take place at the next BMWG meeting to be held on 6th June following further survey and inspection.