Exemptions to trawl in the MCZ are granted under the following circumstances:
Exemptions are revoked for the year if:
Under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, IFCAs have a legal duty to ensure conservation objectives of any Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) are furthered (Section 154). NIFCA must therefore assess all fishing activity within the Coquet to St Mary’s MCZ (MCZ) for its impact on protected features, including mud and sand habitats.
The MCZ spans from Alnmouth Bay to St Mary’s Island, extending up to three miles offshore.
NIFCA assessed each feature/fishery interaction, including the impact of trawling on subtidal mud. Using the best available evidence – local studies, national research, and data on otter trawling intensity – the assessment could not rule out adverse impacts. Findings suggest that trawling may be hindering the conservation objectives due to abrasion, disturbance, and removal of non-target species.
Although the mud feature is assumed to be in favourable condition, a lack of condition monitoring data makes management challenging.
The management plan was developed under the NIFCA Trawling byelaws and the decision made on management by the NIFCA membership were based on best available evidence and on feedback from the fishing industry.
This decision-making process has been documented in a timeline, this includes the development of the management plan in 2024, implementation of the plan in 2025, and review of this for 2026.
The full timeline with details on the decision-making process available here: