Defra are considering new spatial management measures to provide additional resilience and protection for the North Sea sandeel stocks to reduce the impacts of industrial sandeel fishing on the wider ecosystem. They would like views from stakeholders on options for the future management of sandeels in UK waters. You can respond to this online via the link below, the consultation closes on 30th May 2023. Please contact the NIFCA office if any further information or assistance is required.
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Dear Fisher,
NIFCA in collaboration with Newcastle University are conducting a survey to gather views from potters in the NIFCA region on the national crab and lobster fisheries management plan which is due to be released to public consultation in early summer this year. One proposed measure in the plan that we are aware of is an increase in the minimum landing size of lobster from 87mm to 90mm. The full detail of the proposed FMP will be released at the point of consultation.
We would like to be as ready as possible for the consultation with a regional response that is inclusive of as many fishers as possible and so are seeking views on what should be included in the FMP and, more specifically, your opinion on the proposed increase MLS and how it might affect your fishing.
There are 2 surveys, a short one (5 minutes to complete) and a longer one (approx.. 30 minutes to complete), which covers a wider variety of issues that are relevant to fisheries management.
Please complete either of these (not both) and submit your findings at the below links.
Newcastle University will then process the data and produce a report summarising the views of fishers in this region, which will be available on the NIFCA website and presented back to fishers in person, through the NIFCA fisher forums (by end of April 2023).
All responses are completely anonymous and you cannot be identified by your response.
Please submit your response by 14th April 2023 at which point the survey will close.
If you’d like an in-person or phone call interview to share your views, please email Sarah.coulthard@newcastle.ac.uk.
If you’ve spoken to Beth, Lauren or Sarah (from Newcastle University) about this already there’s no need to complete this survey as it’s the same questions.
Thank you for your time – it’s so important that fishers have a clear voice in the development of these plans.
Short Survey
https://newcastle.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/fmp-short-survey
Long Survey
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For more information on Bass Guidance please visit the Marine Management Organisation website HERE.
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Defra has announced that it intends to designate the first three Highly Protected Marine Areas in English waters.
Defra received over 900 responses to our consultation on candidate sites, demonstrating strong and varied views. The responses, and further evidence also provided, have been analysed. The government intends to designate a modified version of Allonby Bay, North East of Farnes Deep and a modified version of Dolphin Head as set out in the consultation, and not to designate Lindisfarne or Inner Silver Pit South. The intention is to designate these three HPMAs before 6 July 2023, within a year of the consultation’s launch, in line with the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Defra has also announced that it will explore additional sites. Any future candidate sites will also be subject to consultation.
We have today published a summary of responses on our gov.uk page – Highly Protected Marine Areas pilot sites – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
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Initial drafts of Defra’s first three Fisheries Management Plans (FMP) have been received.
These are the Crab and Lobster, and Whelk draft plans prepared by Seafish in collaboration with the Whelk Management Group and the Crab Management Group respectively, and the English and Welsh King Scallop draft plan by the Scallop Industry Consultation Group Working Group with support from Seafish.
This development of these drafts has been an important step towards collaborative management of our fisheries. Defra would like to thank all who contributed, including delivery partners, working groups and those who engaged at the numerous quayside meetings that have taken place to date.
The next stage of the process is for Defra to review and finalise the content of the draft plans and prepare other documents required before the formal public consultation takes place in the next few months.
Ahead of this, Defra is inviting stakeholders interested in these draft FMPs to join an online session for an overview of key points in the draft plans including initial proposals for management approaches and an explanation of the next steps.
There will also be an opportunity to raise points and ask questions through a Q&A.
The session will be held twice. Reserve your place on your preferred date using the links below:
Wednesday 1 March 17:30-18:30– reserve your place here
Thursday 2 March 13:30-14:30– reserve your place here.
We will record the session and make it available to attendees and anyone who reserved a place but was unable to attend.
There will be further opportunities to give views during the public consultation which will take place before the plans are finalised, published and implemented.