Background
In 2023 MMO worked with industry to address concerns regarding the southwest
crawfish fishery. Following a workshop and consultation the minimum conservation
reference size (MCRS) was increased from 95 millimetres (mm) to 110mm on 1
January 2024 and a fishery closure was introduced from 5 February 2024 to 30 April
2024.
A further workshop took place on 13 February 2024 where a further seasonal closure was discussed, with support for a repeat to the annual closure. Further information is available on the Southwest Regional Fisheries Group webpage.
Consultation
MMO has opened a consultation for an annual seasonal closure. The consultation will run from 23 July 2024 to 18 August 2024.
The following closure periods are proposed for your consideration:
• no closure
• 1 November 2024 to 31 May 2025
• 1 December 2024 to 31 May 2025
The closure would be for all UK and EU vessels with all gears working in ICES sub area 7 in English waters enacted through a licence variation.
The purpose of the proposed closure is to:
• provide additional protection to spawning potential through decreasing the number of removals and interactions with fishing activities and allow settlement of juvenile stock. • reduce the risk of nets being left for long soak times or lost during the unpredictable winter weather.
Further information regarding the consultation and how to respond, can be found here or contact us at sustainablefisheries@marinemanagement.org.uk.
A further workshop took place on 13 February 2024 where a further seasonal closure was discussed, with support for a repeat to the annual closure. Further information is available on the Southwest Regional Fisheries Group webpage.
Consultation
MMO has opened a consultation for an annual seasonal closure. The consultation will run from 23 July 2024 to 18 August 2024.
The following closure periods are proposed for your consideration:
• no closure
• 1 November 2024 to 31 May 2025
• 1 December 2024 to 31 May 2025
The closure would be for all UK and EU vessels with all gears working in ICES sub area 7 in English waters enacted through a licence variation.
The purpose of the proposed closure is to:
• provide additional protection to spawning potential through decreasing the number of removals and interactions with fishing activities and allow settlement of juvenile stock. • reduce the risk of nets being left for long soak times or lost during the unpredictable winter weather.
Further information regarding the consultation and how to respond, can be found here or contact us at sustainablefisheries@marinemanagement.org.uk.