Call to all Byelaw 3 permit holders, buyers and other relevant stakeholders to consult on the NWIFCA District’s cockle open season dates for 2024/25. NWIFCA is holding a consultation to determine the thoughts of Byelaw 3 permit holders, buyers and other relevant members of the industry on changing the District’s cockle fishery open season from the 1st  September- April 31st to the 1st July – 28th February for the 2024/25 season. The consultation offers the opportunity for industry members to provide the Authority with any additional information they believe to be relevant to this matter. Important background information At the Technical, Science and Byelaw meeting of the 15th August 2023, NWIFCA officers were asked to look into bringing forward the District’s cockle open season. Officers have investigated the possible options for doing this. Any change in the open season dates has implications on survey scheduling and HRA considerations. Any change will only apply to the 2024/25 cockle season at this time. How to participate in the consultation  Option 1: Attend an in-person meeting Officers will be holding three in-person meetings on: The 20th February at Regus House, Heron’s Way, Chester Business Park (CH4 9QR) from 9am to 5 pm. The 21st February…

National Cockle Fisheries Management Plan Consultation Event Tim Smith from the Association of IFCAs is holding an in-person event from 1pm to 3 pm at Truckhaven (Carnforth) on Wednesday the 17th of January to present the draft objectives for the National Cockle Fisheries Management Plan. We would like to welcome all interested stakeholders to the event. It is an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the plan’s objectives, and their potential implications during this consultation period. The stakeholders feedback will be reported back to Defra to assist with development of the plan. If you wish to attend, please can you register your interest by contacting NWIFCA at Email: [email protected] Tel: 01524 727 970  Further Information: The Association of IFCAs are Defra’s delivery partner for the English cockle Fisheries Management Plan (FMP), which is due for publication later this year.  The AIFCA have arranged a series of regional meetings at which stakeholders can learn more about how the cockle FMP will affect them and the fishery in their district and to ask any questions (please see background information below for further details on the English cockle FMP). For more information on Defras fisheries management plans please see: Fisheries management plans: policy information…

DEFRA have given the Marine Management Organisation the responsibility of managing the appointment of General Members to the IFCA committees. This is a rolling campaign for the recruitment of IFCA General Members. This means that applicants can apply at anytime during the year for any forthcoming positions. The sifting and interviewing of successful applicants will be held on a quarterly basis. . These are voluntary roles that require candidates who can bring a balanced approach to caring for our sea, assessing priority and importance of all stakeholders and users. It is essential that candidates have good local knowledge for the IFCA district that they are applying for. IFCA committee members will contribute experience and knowledge to provide sustainable management of their IFCA district. For further information on how to apply please visit the Government website linked below. MMO- IFCA rolling recruitment 

Please see the flexible permit conditions below for the open tides at the fishery. Penfold Cockle Fishery Byelaw 3 Flexible Permit Conditions January  Please note any potential cold weather closure sits outside of these dates.

Officers have been closely monitoring the temperatures at Marshside, Southport where the Penfold cockle fishery operates. The recent cold weather did not make the threshold stipulated in the NWIFCA Cold Weather Protocol. 56.75hours below zero were recorded at or below zero since 01:30 on the 28th Nov. This was very close to the 60 hours which would trigger a suspension and is pleasing to see warmer temperatures. The fishery will be open as normal tomorrow 4th December. Officers will continue to monitor the weather throughout the winter in accordance with the protocol in place.

Please see the flexible permit conditions below for the open tides at the fishery. Penfold-Cockle-Fishery-Byelaw-3-Flexible-Permit-Conditions-2023-December.pdf (nw-ifca.gov.uk) Please note any potential cold weather closure sits outside of these dates.

Officers are monitoring the potential for having to suspend fishing at the Penfold cockle fishery. In monitoring the temperatures reached at Marshside and the forecast for the weekend it is likely the threshold of 60 hours at or below 0 degrees Celsius out of 120 consecutive hours may be reached by Sunday morning. Please see the link below. Met Office WOW – Therefore fishing would be suspended for the coming week if this is reached. An update will be provided on Sunday 3rd December.

NWIFCA are aware of the incoming cold weather forecast. We are currently monitoring this as per our cold weather protocol.  This can be found here We will provide further updates as the situation develops.  

The vessel Protector Bravo is still up for sale. NWIFCA have dropped the asking price. Asking price £12,500 Specifications Mono-hull Osprey Viper 7 meter 2.46 meter beam 0.3m draft 6 persons max (including crew) Twin propellers Two Yamaha 100 hp 25 knots tops speed 2.01 tonne maximum load Deck equipment Self-righting frame only Pot hauler Seawinch Simard CE: 32 plotter/sounder inc GPS & colour vision Please send any offers to our office via [email protected]

NWIFCA are hosting three events across the district. The aim is to inform stakeholders of the events happening across the district and discuss any topics that are affecting local fishers. Please see our poster below for dates and venues.  

The Byelaw 3 flexible permit conditions for Penfold Cockle Fishery have been released. To view these conditions please click the link below. Byelaw 3 Flexible Permit 3 Conditions 

It is with great sadness that North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority announces the passing of our former colleague and friend, David Dobson. Dave served as the Chief Fisheries Officer in Cumbria Sea Fisheries Committee and later as our Enforcement Director until his retirement in 2011. Dave had a long history with the fishing industry, starting in the 1970s during which time he purchased his own inshore trawler, Erin Bay. He was a well-known and highly regarded character within the local industry and loved a good chat on the VHF with his fellow fishermen at sea. His knowledge of fishing trawlers was second to none. Back then, he was known for his famous Christmas parties, which he would organise for the fishermen of Whitehaven. After a few celebratory drinks, Dave would often get up to recite his favourite poem ‘The Bantam Cock’. In 1983, he became an appointed member to Cumbria Sea Fisheries Committee and in 1989 was employed by them as a Fisheries Officer. He would start out as the master of the patrol vessel Solway Protector, ultimately becoming the Chief Fisheries Officer in 1994. Erik Thinnesen, a former colleague of Dave’s and current NWIFCA employee, remembers Dave…