On the 9th and 13th of September 2022 Inshore Fisheries Officers seized a number of lobster pots from the rocks around Newbiggin point under section 264 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

These pots were set in contravention of NIFCA Byelaw 4 ‘Crustacea and Molluscs Permitting and Pot Limitation’.

If you wish to claim ownership of these pots or have any information about the setting of it, please contact the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority on 01670 797 676 or email nifca@nifca.gov.uk

Defra will be running both in-person events and online events, the details of which can be found below. The in-person events are open to all so please pass on details to anyone that might like to come. Due to considerable stakeholder interest in the candidate HPMA at Lindisfarne, Defra will now be running two (identical) in-person workshops to cater for the high numbers. The first will be held 2-4pm at The Hub in Seahouses. This will be followed by a second workshop 6.30-8.30pm at the Oasis Cafe on Lindisfarne, which Defra would like to prioritise for Holy Island based stakeholders as it is a small venue. 

NIFCA and Newcastle University will be at the Harbour Office (top floor), Seahouses on Monday 8th August from 10am-2pm to discuss the proposed HPMA pilot areas. Researchers from Newcastle University will be there too ready to interview anyone who would like to make statement about how the proposed HPMA will affect them (as part of a Rapid Impact Assessment Study, led by Dr Sarah Coulthard, Newcastle University).

Please stop by and chat to us if you have any questions or need assistance with responding to the Defra consultation:

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/hpma/consultation-on-highly-protected-marine-areas/

Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) has today introduced a new byelaw to prohibit all dredging by fishing vessels for scallops in the NIFCA district.

The district covers the sea area from the Scottish Border to the midpoint of the River Tyne and six miles out to sea.

NIFCA chair Les Weller, explains: “Following an extensive public consultation with stakeholders including the commercial fishing industry and careful consideration, looking at all available options and taking stakeholder comments into account, the Authority made this decision to ensure the long-term protection of the marine environment in the NIFCA district and the security of the local potting industry regarding crab and lobster stocks.

“It is widely accepted that dredging activities negatively impact the seabed, causing harm to the sea fish and shellfish and marine plants thriving there. It is important therefore that NIFCA has been successful in proactively bringing in the ban for the benefit of the marine environment and our local fishing industry.”

The byelaw can be viewed at www.nifca.gov.uk/byelaws/ 

You can also contact NIFCA at: nifca@nifca.gov.uk or telephone: 01670 797676.

A reminder that the NIFCA Chair has called an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Authority to discuss Defra’s consultation regarding the proposed HPMA in Lindisfarne.

The event is open to everyone on the evening of Thursday 21^st July. Join us at 5pm at The Hub, Stone Close, Seahouses, NE68 7YL. No need to book but feel free to contact us for more details on 01670 797 676 or at nifca@nifca.gov.uk.

Please see link to Agenda for the meeting below:-

Agenda – EGM 21 July 2021