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…

North Western IFCA are currently recruiting for two Admin officers at our Carnforth office. There are two vacancies, one permanent full-time and one full time on a two-year fixed term contract. Location  Carnforth, Lancashire Salary £25,878-£28,900 (SCP 15-21) (This is subject to the NJC 2023/24 pay award agreement, which the Authority anticipates will be announced in November, will increase all local authority salaries by £1,925, and therefore will increase the salary range to £27,903-£30,825). Hours of work 37 hours per week Pension Local government scheme (defined benefits and employer contributions) Responsible to  Admin Manager Closing date 26/11/2023 For full job description click here Permanent position application form (word doc) 2 year fixed position application form (word doc) Please return completed application forms to [email protected]

Penfold cockle fishery is opening on 30th October 2023. This fishery will not operate as in previous years due to new conditions required to ensure the fishery is HRA compliant. These conditions are as follows: There is to be no parking or ancillary work along Haul road. Haul road will only be used for access to the fishery. The road will be marked out to prevent damage to the surrounding salt marsh. Any deviation from the marked route will not be HRA compliant. All fishers are required to have permits for road legal quadbikes, along with necessary insurance documentation. The fishery will operate Monday to Friday, one tide per day. For the Flexible permit conditions please click here    Information regarding vehicle permits. As stated above, all fishers are required to have a vehicle permit for road legal quadbikes. To apply for a permit, all necessary insurance documentation and a copy of your IFCA Byelaw 3 permit must be sent to Sefton Council. Please use the email below for this. Email- [email protected] Should the fishery remain open until 30th April 2024, any vehicle insurance documents that expire before then will need to be replaced, to ensure Vehicle permits remain valid….

NWIFCA have received the HRA from Natural England, however, due to outstanding concerns from the previous years fishery they have advised additional management measures. The HRA has been amended in light of these comments and returned to Natural England on the 8th of October 2023. NWIFCA will update industry on fishery opening times on the website once we receive approval of the HRA.  

The consultation period for various national Fisheries Management Plans (FMP) are closing 1st October 2023.  These FMP consultations include: Whelks Crab and Lobster Bass King Scallop This is your chance to share your views on the industry with DEFRA and their partners. For further information and to share your views, please follow the link below. Fisheries management plans: policy information – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

North Western IFCA are seeking views from our Byelaw 3 permit holders on how best to ensure the Penfold cockle fishery off Southport can be opened this year. From discussions with partner agencies, we have not been able to identify a suitable site for parking vehicles or for “tonning up” operations when cockles are brought off the bed. This is because the previously used location at RSPB Marshside can no longer be used due to concerns around damage to the SSSI. RSPB have indicated they are willing to allow fishers to access the bed on quad bikes via the usual track, but no vehicles must be parked on the track for any period. The Authority has explored the use of the old Pilkington Glass site next to the usual access point on Marine Drive, but this is also not viable. This leaves no apparent realistic options for the siting of “tonning up” operations associated with the fishery. We have had representations from permit holders suggesting access to the beds via boats, launched from Lytham or any other appropriate locations in the vicinity. We wish to seek views from permit holders on the use of boats to access the fishery and…

North Western IFCA are pleased to announce that we have achieved union recognition with Unison.

The Technical Science and Byelaw Subcommittee meeting on the 15th of August – it was resolved that: Southport cockle fishery will be opened subject to HRA. NWIFCA are in the process of drafting a HRA and discussing with partner agencies the prospects of opening the fishery. Given the time frames of this work, the fishery will likely not be opened by the 1st of September. NWIFCA will update stakeholders on progress. All Morecambe Bay cockle beds will remain closed as of the 1st of September under Byelaw 3 paragraph 15. The total biomass and density of size cockle across the Bay remains low in comparison to previous years. Further details of this year’s surveys and relevant reports are provided here: ( https://www.nw-ifca.gov.uk/survey-and-inspection-reports/) Flookburgh cockle bed will be re-surveyed prior to November to assess if undersize cockle has grown on to size. Due to the presence of significant biomass of undersize cockle on the bed, the Authority resolved for officers to re-survey to identify if any of this reaches size. Flookburgh remains closed as of the 1st of September under Byelaw 3 paragraph 15, and will be reviewed subject to survey results. Leasowe cockle bed will remain closed as of the…

Update on dredge seed mussel fisheries – Perch and Black Scar mussel beds are permitted to seed mussel dredge fishing. Dredge Permits To dredge for seed mussel you must hold a permit issued under The Restrictions on the use of a Dredge Byelaw 2017. To apply please complete both the Dredge Permit Application Form and Seed Mussel Supplementary Form available below: Download Dredge Permit Application 2023 (Microsoft Word docx file) Seed Mussel Supplementary Form Dredge Permit Application 2023 (Microsoft Word docx file) Perch and Black Scar Dredge Mussel Fishery Fishing is permitted between 9th August and 31st August 2023. The permitted dredge mussel fishing areas are the area enclosed by a straight line connecting points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and returning to point A, and the area enclosed by a straight line connecting points I, J, K, L and returning to point I, as illustrated in Annex A.  Point  Latitude  (decimal degrees)  Longitude  (decimal degrees)  Latitude (degrees, decimal minutes)  Longitude (degrees, decimal minutes)  A  53.93309  -3.01577  53° 55.985” N  3° 0.946” W  B  53.93291  -3.01700  53° 55.974” N  3° 1.019” W  C  53.93432  -3.01783  53° 56.059” N  3° 1.069” W  D  53.93457  -3.01890  53° 56.074” N …

NWIFCA had successful day at our consultation event yesterday. Thank you to everyone who came to speak to us. It was great to hear everyone’s views and we will keep the public updated.  

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In preparation for potential seed fisheries, NWIFCA is inviting applications for a dredge permit. The fishery is subject to HRA approval and agreement from the Technical Science and Byelaws Subcommittee, however, due to time sensitivities of this resource, applications are open to industry to give time for necessary preparations. Hand Gathered Seed Fisheries Heysham Flat Mussel Bed This year, Heysham mussel bed has received a dense mussel seed settlement across the main bed. An area of historical Sabellaria reef lies to the south and extends out from Conger Rock which will be excluded from the proposed seed fishery. Final inspections are taking place early August and full inspection details along with the permitted fishing area will be made available once complete. When and How Can I Fish? Dependent on the outcome of HRA consultation, NWIFCA will put out a notice to fishers, informing them of an update to the flexible permit conditions that facilitate hand gathering at Heysham. Seed Dredge Fisheries Early 2023 inspections have shown the main seed fishing beds at Fleetwood and South America have received dense seed mussel settlements and have the potential to be opened to seed dreding. The Falklands has not yet been inspected. There…