We are pleased to announce this year we have restarted our lobster v-notching scheme.

Each year from 2000-2017 NIFCA ran a successful lobster v-notching scheme, through which, over 20,000 female European Lobsters were purchased, v-notched and released into the Northumberland district. Following the 2017 national prohibition on landing berried hens , v-notching was put on hold, however following feedback from the local industry this year, it has been restarted.

V-notching schemes have been implemented globally and are a widely recognised fishery conservation management tool by both scientific and fishing communities to help sustain lobster fisheries. Their objective is to maintain a healthy reproductive population to provide continual recruitment of lobster offspring to the stock, creating a sustainable and profitable fishing industry.

NIFCA Crustacea Conservation Byelaw prohibits the landing of a lobster with a v-notch cut in its tail, thereby protecting it from the fishery. The annual v-notching scheme therefore contributes to the reproductive potential of our local lobster stocks. The previous scheme was well supported by pot fishermen in the district, many of whom attribute it, in part, to the sustainability of the fishery.

As part of the programme, NIFCA purchase lobsters from the wholesalers which have been removed from the fishery. Before release, lobsters are measured and recorded, then v-notched. This process involves removing a V shaped piece of the exoskeleton from the uropod, the inner tail flap, of lobsters of reproductive size. While the lobster retains this v-notch, it is essentially removed from the fishery, legally protected by national legislation and NIFCA’s byelaw from being landed. This year to date, over 1070 lobsters have been measured, v-notched and released across the whole district. This year, one male lobster has been released for every 15-20 female lobsters. Research has been found that female lobsters preferentially mate with larger males and conservation measures targeting only females risks an imbalance between male and females in the local population. V-nothing a small number of larger males can help maintain that balance, increasing the reproductive potential of this ecologically important species.

As part of the previous programmes, NIFCA distributed V-notch pliers free of charge to all shellfish permit holders within the district, along with recording forms to capture levels of v-notching carried out by local fishermen. These forms provide valuable information on the levels of v-notching, to estimate the proportion of lobsters that are protected from the fishery and to inform future stock assessments. This aim this year, and for future years, is to encourage this practice again from the local fishermen to contribute to the success of this scheme.

NIFCA would like to extend sincere thanks to Blyth Fish Ltd., D.R. Collins and Sons Ltd., and TC Fish Ltd, as well as several local fishermen, for providing lobsters, without whom this scheme would not have been possible.

Seafish has recently developed a new code of practice for crustacea welfare:

Codes-of-Practice-for-Crustaceans_Compilation_July-2024-1

Please be advised of the upcoming Geophysical Survey in the North Sea on behalf of National Grid Ventures. The survey will use the vessel EGS ECHO, appropriately licensed and certified for UK MCA CAT-C workboat operations.

Survey Details:

• Corridor: 55° 9.50268′ N  1° 31.50906′ W  to  55° 10.60830′ N 1° 21.41460′ W
• Scope: MBES and video inspection within 6 nautical miles
• Start Date: w/c 19/08/2024
• End Date: 22/09/2024
• Vessel On-Site: From w/c 19/08/2024 for mobilisation

We request a 500-metre corridor free of static gear. Vessels are asked to pass at a safe speed and distance, and fishing vessels should remain clear of the identified areas.

NSL North Sea Link Geophysical

During June we conducted the latest Aln Estuary Survey.  The Aln Estuary Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) is the smallest designated MCZ in the UK, covering an area of just 38.5 hectares.

In May 2012, the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) conducted a pilot survey to study juvenile and small fish populations in the estuary, recognising its potential significance for young fish.

Since 2015, NIFCA has conducted biannual fish surveys in late spring and early autumn to gather data on fish population dynamics.  The primary aim of these surveys is to understand the variety of fish species in the estuary and the role it plays as a crucial spawning and nursery ground for North Sea fish.

The surveys help identify the abundance of fish communities at each site and collect additional data on the estuary’s physical and chemical properties, such as temperature and salinity.

The fish surveys follow the Environment Agency’s Transitional and Coastal Monitoring (TrAC) method. Over eight years, 16 surveys have been conducted, recording a total of 7,473 fish, with 4,689 (63%) measured. The 2023 results were compared with previous years to assess the site’s significance as a nursery and to monitor any changes over time.

The 2024 survey results will be available later in the year and will build on the key findings from our 2023 survey, which identified a total of 13 species identified to species level and two to genus level. In spring 2023, 10 species and two genera were identified, while in autumn, 11 species and one genus were identified.

All the commercial species measured were juveniles, except for trout and a small percentage of adult sandeels (22% lesser sandeels and 7% greater sandeels). The most abundant species recorded was the Atlantic herring, with 706 individuals, marking the highest recorded species abundance in a single sample.

The 2023 survey results reaffirmed the Aln Estuary MCZ’s importance as a nursery ground for various fish species, notably commercial species such as lesser and greater sandeel, Atlantic herring, European flounder, and European eel. It is important to note that sandeel and European eel both have prohibitions for commercial fisheries in the UK.

The estuary’s diverse habitats support a wide range of juvenile species, with certain habitats preferred by specific species (e.g. saltmarsh for Atlantic herring and European flounders, sublittoral sand for lesser and greater sandeels).

The continued high abundances, low variation in species richness and consistent yearly recordings of six species suggest stable conditions in the MCZ, achieving its conservation objective to “Maintain in favourable condition.”

However, the factors affecting fluctuating population dynamics remain uncertain. Temperature and salinity data collected since 2015 have not shown clear trends, possibly due to the estuary’s low temporal and spatial temperature range or external factors like offshore impacts on spawning grounds. Salinity readings have varied more widely but haven’t revealed consistent correlations with species richness and abundance.

For more detailed information, please refer to the 2023 Aln Estuary report at: https://nifca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Aln-Report-2023-Final.pdf

Overall Results (2015 – 2023)

Consistent Species: Six species exhibited site fidelity, being recorded every year, while five species were only recorded once.

High Abundance: The most abundant species over the years were lesser sandeel (2,102 individuals), Atlantic herring (1,851), and goby species (1,347), accounting for 73% of all individuals recorded.

Species Richness: Inter-annual species richness showed little variation (Sorensen Index Similarity score of 90% – 64%), but population dynamics fluctuated significantly both inter- and intra-annually (Bray Curtis Index Similarity Score of 80% – 16%).

During May, the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) made its annual appearance at the Amble Puffin Festival, an event celebrating the region’s marine life.

Each year, NIFCA supports the festival to connect with the local community and share insights into our work in managing and conserving Northumberland’s inshore waters.

Our officers Vicky Rae and Richard Willis manned NIFCA’s booth, which was a hub of activity, offering interactive displays and educational materials. Visitors learned about sustainable fishing practices, habitat protection and marine biodiversity. The NIFCA team provided information on key topics including sustainable fishing practices, minimum size limits and research work undertaken as well as ways anglers can contribute to the data held on finfish by entering our species challenge competition.

Habitat protection was also a key area, covering the safeguarding of critical habitats such as seagrass beds and rocky reefs and marine species conservation.

Hands-on learning and engaging with the community

Children enjoyed fish identification games, fostering early interest in conservation. The festival also facilitated discussions between NIFCA officers and local fishers, helping to promote collaboration and mutual understanding.

NIFCA’s annual participation in the Amble Puffin Festival not only educates the public but also strengthens community ties, reinforcing the collective effort to protect Northumberland’s marine heritage.

Festival facts

The Amble Puffin Festival celebrates everything Puffin at the best time of year to see the Coquet Island puffins, as they prepare to take care of their newly hatched pufflings.

The festival takes inspiration from a colony of approximately 30,000 puffins that nest on the RSPB seabird sanctuary of Coquet Island, just a mile off Amble. Puffins are very sociable birds that like to nest in burrows in the soft sandy soil on the island, which equates to more than 15,000 burrows.

Coquet Island has been an RSPB nature reserve since 1970 and is also the sole UK nesting colony of roseate terns. The island is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and therefore protected all year round, to safeguard the fragile habitat.

Please note that our next Quarterly Meeting will be held at the NIFCA Office, 8 Ennerdale Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RT on Monday 22nd July 2024 at 1pm.

The meeting is open to all.  If you have any queries or would like to attend, please email nifca@nifca.gov.uk