The 2024-2025 seasonal closure consultation with Defra has concluded
Detail of outcome
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.
What happens next?
The closure will be enacted by a licence variation.
The variation included a prohibition to all vessels fishing, retaining on board, storing or landing crawfish from 16 December 2024 to 31 May 2025 (inclusive) in English waters of ICES area 7.
