The above consultation was issued by DEFRA on 21st March and closes on Monday 15 May 2017. Here is a link to the consultation: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/marine/lobsters-crawfish/ 

To mark the start of the FLAG, an official launch event will be held between 15.00 and 18.00hrs at The Old Low Light Building, Cliffords Fort, North Shields on 16 March 2017. The launch will be the first meeting of the FLAG, at which the Chair and Vice-Chair will be elected. Members will also meet the FLAG programme officer Simon Baxter, a former harbour master, who will support fishermen and businesses to apply for FLAG funds. The launch will end with the cutting of a special ‘Fish Cake’ to mark the occasion.

The Creel Club, which operates a fish box scheme and supports local fishing in the North East will be at the launch. Further information is available on its website: northumberlandseafood.co.uk/creel-fish-club 

To find out more about the North of Tyne FLAG, or how to apply for FLAG funding, contact Simon Baxter (North of Tyne FLAG programme officer) by emailing: simon.baxter@northumberland.gov.uk or call: 01670 623919.

In February 2017, the MMO will launch the next step in the development of the marine plans for the north east. This is an important stage and is the first chance to see how the issues and evidence gathered last summer are being taken forward. The MMO are looking for feedback, will be publishing a questionnaire and holding a workshop for the North East marine plan in Newcastle on Thursday 16 February 2017 at the Centre for Life, 9.30am to 4pm. There will also be an evening drop-in session in Amble on Monday 13 February 2017 at the Amble Development Trust, 5 to 7pm.

For more information about these events, please see the MMO Marine Planning Newsletter HERE

Northumberland IFCA is delighted at the news that our Chair, Councillor Robert Arckless has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list, recognising Robert’s service and commitment to the community of Northumberland and which of course includes his service as a member of the Northumberland Sea Fisheries Committee from 1989 and then as NIFCA Chair from inception in 2011. Chief Executive Mike Hardy said, “I am very grateful to Robert on behalf of myself and the rest of the IFCA team for everything he has done in supporting the work of this Authority and the Sea Fisheries Committee before us, benefiting local fisheries and the marine environment and contributing so much to the development of NIFCA in the last 5 years”.

Congratulations to Robert for receiving this richly deserved honour.

The MMO have released the 2017 Statutory guidance to Bass fishing including catch limits, closures and minimum sizes. Information can be found on their website following the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bass-fishing-catch-limits-closures-and-minimum-size/bass-fishing-catch-limits-closures-and-minimum-size#what-rules-apply-to-commercial-fisherman

EU Bass measures for 2017 have been confirmed and are as follows for recreational fishers:- 

• 1 January to 30 June, catch and release only
• 1 July to 31 December, 1 bass per fisher per day