Anger and frustration from fishermen as the South-west crawfish consultation results have been announced!

And the response from one crawfish fishermen. 

Concern for crawfish management back in 2022.

Behind the anger and frustration of fishermen is a growing sense that whatever they contribute by way of information and suggestions as to how best manage the fishery - the MMO does not appear to have heeded anything or be capable of acting on said advice. This and other recent fishery management decisions (eg brown crab, pollack) now cause fishermen to doubt the ability of the MMO to do nothing other then be re-active rather than proactive and to take the easy way out by appeasing a few in implementing species identified in the Fisheries Management Plans.

"On current evidence all the meetings, consultations, FMPs and workshops are frankly a waste of time unless there is political will from UK 🇬🇧 Govt to manage fisheries properly. Central to that must be steps to ensure stocks are maintained or can increase over time."

The anger and frustration are real - as are the consequences for a fishery that could be disastrous.

The MMO have said:

"Having considered the consultation responses, scientific and environmental evidence, socio-economic impacts and relevant legislation and policy, MMO will introduce a closure of the crawfish fishery for all UK and EU vessels in: 

English waters of ICES area 7 from 16 December 2024 to 31 May 2025 (inclusive). 

This closure length will protect berried and juvenile crawfish whilst balancing socio-economic considerations and allowing the shellfish industry time to adapt business processes."

Further information on a summary of responses received and reasoning behind the decision is available in the decision document.