News

Potential Octopus Fishing Emergency Byelaw

26th May

Cornwall IFCA is proposing to make an Emergency Byelaw at its quarterly meeting on 12 June 2026. The purpose of this byelaw is to manage the impact of octopus potting on crustacean (crab and lobster) stocks inside the Cornwal ...

April 2026:Serene PW17 and Golden Lancer PW15

2nd April

0n 1 April 2026, two investigations by Cornwall IFCA involving multiple fisheries offences were brought together into a single prosecution hearing at the Truro Magistrates Court. Mr Martin Gilbert (61) of Newquay and his son Jak ...

Feb 2026: Edible Crab and Lobster minimum size

3rd February

Edible crab minimum size The MMO have announced a harmonisation of the minimum sizes for Edible crab (Cancer pagurus, also called brown crab) and Lobster (Homarus gammarus) for the South West English waters. From 1 February ...

December 2025: AIFCA launches IFCA insights

19th December 2025

The Association of IFCA has launched a new newsletter covering the work of the ten IFCA around England. Click here to view the newsletter

November 2025: MMO crawfish closure

17th November 2025

Crawfish closure 17 November 2025 to 31 May 2026 incl. The MMO has closed the crawfish fishery in ICES area 7 (English waters) from 17 November 2025 to 31 May 2026 (inclusive). The closure applies to all UK and EU ...

Aug 2025: New Fal Fishery Regulations

26th August 2025

There is a new set of regulations for measuring native oysters that are removed from the Fal oyster and mussel fisheries. The recommendation, that the ring through which native oysters (Ostrea edulis) must pass should be increa ...

July 2025: MMO launches brown crab consultation

1st August 2025

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), on behalf of Defra, is proposing new size limits for brown crab in the South West: 🦀 Calling all crab... - Marine Management Organisation - MMO | Facebook

June 2025: June 2025: MMO statutory bass guidance

9th June 2025

The Marine Management Organization has released the new 2025 bass guidence for recreational and commercial fishing. Bass Fishing Guidance 2025 - GOV.UK

May 2025: MMO Catch limit consultation

15th May 2025

The Marine Management Organisation has opened its consultation on its catch limit changes. Follow the link below for more information. June 2025 Catch Limit Review - GOV.UK

March 2025 Prosecution for Shellfish Offences

6th March 2025

On 5th March 2025, at Truro Magistrates Court, Cornwall IFCA successfully prosecuted Rowse Fishing Limited and Mr Benjamin Edward Rowse (28) of Penzance, the respective owner and relief master of the 16.42m vivier potting ...