The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has announced a seasonal closure for crawfish fishing in English waters of ICES area 7. The closure will run from November 17, 2025, to May 31, 2026, and applies to all UK and EU vessels, regardless of the gear used.
This decision, which was not an original option in a summer consultation, reflects strong feedback from stakeholders who advocated for a longer closure. The MMO also considered advice from 2024 to better align fishing opportunities with tidal patterns.
The extended closure for 2025/2026 is intended to provide increased stock protection and will allow the MMO to monitor the socio-economic effects of a longer closure period. The information gathered will help inform future management decisions.
The MMO has stated that this specific closure duration is for the 2025-2026 season only. The organization plans to engage with stakeholders again before introducing any future measures.
