Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
Section 155 & 156
Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
Pursuant to the above Act, Eastern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority intends to apply to the Minister for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the confirmation of the following two byelaws:
Wash Restricted Area Byelaw 2019
The byelaw will replace an emergency byelaw to regulate fishing for bivalve molluscs in an area of the Wash (Norfolk) which is not covered by the Wash Fishery Order 1992. The intention is to ensure that fishing activity is sustainable and does not adversely impact site integrity of the marine protected areas within which the fishery operates.
The byelaw will require a permit to fish in accordance with restrictions set out in the byelaw and flexible management measures. It includes mechanisms for Eastern IFCA to implement flexible management measures at short notice (including opening or closing fisheries or parts of fisheries, setting operating times, issuing, varying and revoking flexible permit conditions and eligibility criteria in relation to issuing permits and suspending the issuing of permits). There is a fee associated with the annual permit of £44. Permits will be suspended in the event of non-compliance with the provisions of the byelaw or failure to comply or obstruction of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officers. Permit conditions and eligibility criteria are also proposed which restrict permits to those holding a Wash Fishery Order 1992 Licence.
Marine Protected Area Byelaw 2019
The intention of this byelaw is to exclude specified fishing activities which could have an adverse impact on site integrity of marine protected areas. The byelaw will replace the Marine Protected Area Byelaw 2018 and introduce additional closures in relation to bottom towed gear on the north and east Norfolk Coast. Bottom towed gear must be secured and stowed onboard vessels transiting the Restricted Areas unless an exemption applies.
The full text of the above byelaws, associated Impact Assessments and further information can be inspected at, or obtained from: Eastern IFCA, 6 North Lynn Business Village, Bergen Way, King’s Lynn, PE30 2JG. Tel: 01553 775321; email: mail@eastern-ifca.gov.uk; website: www.eastern-ifca.gov.uk.
Any person wishing to comment, support or object to the byelaws must do so in writing before noon on 22nd July 2019, to the CEO of Eastern IFCA at the above address and send a copy to:
Marine Conservation and Enforcement Team, Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE4 7HY,
Email: IFCAbyelaws@marinemanagement.org.uk
