Update on proposed Cornwall IFCA Crab and Lobster Pot Fishing (Restricted Vessels) Emergency Byelaw 2022
A short consultation on the proposed Emergency Byelaw has generated considerable interest from across the county, from a wide range of commercial fishermen, as well as from related businesses, fishing organisations, Councillors and MPs.
Strong support for the aims of the byelaw was expressed by fishermen wanting to see measures to manage and reduce potting effort for crabs and lobsters. Strong objections were raised by the fishermen and businesses who own and operate over 12 m vivier vessels based in Cornwall.
The data underpinning the proposals showed that there is a very pressing need to find solutions to managing effort, before it is too late for the stocks that directly support 271 vessels across Cornwall. This point has been made very clearly through the feedback to the proposals.
Following consultation with the members of our Authority, there was not sufficient support to take the emergency byelaw forwards. However, we recognise that this has to be a priority issue for this IFCA. In the New Year, we quickly want to start a wider informal consultation to develop options to manage fishing effort for crabs and lobsters and provide an opportunity for all relevant stakeholders to be involved.