Review summary:
The Post Implementation Review (PIR) assesses the effectiveness of The Lobsters and Crawfish (Prohibition of Fishing and Landing) Order 2000 and its 2017 Amendment. The main focus is on laws prohibiting the fishing and landing of berried lobsters and crawfish, which were enacted to ensure sustainable fishery practices and protect juvenile marine organisms. The review highlights the challenges faced in compliance and enforcement, particularly in identifying violations related to berried lobsters. While some positive impacts on stock health have been noted, achieving Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) remains an ongoing goal, necessitating further measures and research to ensure effective management and protection of these species.
Measures Being Assessed
The review assesses three primary measures:
- Prohibition of fishing and landing lobsters and crawfish with a V-notch: This aims to prevent the capture of individuals that have been marked for conservation purposes.
- Prohibition on mutilated lobsters and crawfish: Protects injured marine life that may not have a chance to recover.
- The 2017 Amendment: Expands protections by prohibiting the fishing and landing of berried, or egg-bearing, lobsters and crawfish, enhancing the protection for spawning female lobsters and crawfish.
Impact of Fishing Pressure
The document indicates that lobsters and crawfish populations have faced significant pressure from fishing activities, leading to overfishing. National assessments highlighted that European lobster stocks in English waters were overfished, evidenced by studies conducted in 2011 and 2014. The lack of sustainable practices and management at that time contributed to declining stocks. The legislation aimed to reverse this trend by protecting spawning stocks, thereby allowing overfished populations to recover over time while ensuring that juvenile lobsters and crawfish could enter the fishery in healthier numbers in the future.
