D&S IFCA is inviting stakeholders to respond to the formal public consultation on proposed amendments to the Potting Permit Conditions.
D&S IFCA is reaching out to stakeholders to inform them about a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Potting Permit Conditions. The formal public consultation begins today, 24th April 2025, and ends at midnight 23rd May 2025.
D&S IFCA is directly contacting everyone on its mailing list using Mailchimp, email with an attachment, and hard copy information is being sent in the post to permit holders with no email.
All stakeholders (for example, owners of fishing vessels, fishermen that work on vessels owned by others, organisations, or anyone with an interest in the marine environment) can respond to the formal public consultation.
The Proposed Change
The proposal is to prohibit potting vessels operating within the District that are equipped with one or more vivier tanks below the uppermost continuous deck exceeding a volume (in aggregate) of two cubic metres. It is proposed that this prohibition will be a gear restriction in the Potting Permit Conditions.
Rationale for the Proposal
Based on the information presented to D&SIFCA’s Byelaw and Permitting Sub-Committee (B&PSC), it is the view of the Members of the B&PSC that the prohibition on vessels fitted with vivier tanks will safeguard existing operators against increased levels of effort being applied, in particular from the vivier fleet being displaced from Cornwall and offshore grounds.
The Proposed Permit Condition
If the prohibition is implemented via the Potting Permit Conditions, it is envisaged that the Potting Permit Conditions will be amended to include the following wording, or similar:
A permit holder or named representative is not authorised under this Permit to use within the District a vessel for the purpose of fishing which is equipped with one or more vivier tanks below the uppermost continuous deck with a volume (in aggregate) that exceeds two cubic metres.
It is also envisaged that an interpretation will be implemented that would set out the following, or similar:
“vivier tank” means a tank or storage compartment used or capable of being used to contain live sea fisheries resources immersed in or dampened by water.
This interpretation intentionally does not apply to containers that store sea fisheries resources on the deck of the vessel.
Regardless of whether the vivier tanks (as detailed) are in use whilst potting within the District, the fact that the vessel is fitted with such a tank or tanks will mean the vessel cannot be used for potting within the District. The extent of the D&S IFCA’s District can be viewed here.
Existing Operators with Potting Permits – Removal of Pots
The Members of the B&PSC are aware that some potting vessels that have vivier tanks (as detailed) hold valid permits to operate pots within the District. If the prohibition is agreed, a date will be set when the amended Potting Permit Conditions will come into force. Prior to this date there will be an opportunity for existing operators, impacted by the change, to remove pots already deployed in the District.
New Policy
Application forms to gain a Potting Permit will be amended. It is envisaged that D&S IFCA will develop a policy of not issuing a Potting Permit to an owner of a vessel, where that vessel has vivier tanks fitted that would not comply with the Potting Permit Conditions. A refund of £20 will be paid to owners of potting vessels fitted with vivier tanks (as detailed) that already have a valid Potting Permit, and the Potting Permit will be cancelled.
Further Information and Responding to the Formal Public Consultation
Information has been gathered from different sources and presented to the B&PSC leading to a decision to undertake formal public consultation. The information can be read by downloading the consultation information (pdf) by clicking here. Alternatively, please visit our Active Consultation/Events website page. In both cases details are provided on how you can respond to the formal public consultation and how we protect any personal information provided.
Decision Making
The findings of the formal public consultation will be documented in a report and presented to Members of D&S IFCA’s B&PSC. The next B&PSC meeting is expected to be held in late June or July 2025. Details of the next B&PSC meeting, including the reports and Officers’ papers to be presented will be published on the website. Members of the B&PSC will determine if the changes, as proposed, will be implemented.
Keeping you informed
We regularly post information about our work on our website/Facebook. Direct communication is often the best way to help you stay informed about our work and to highlight the opportunities for you to have your say on a range of topics or issues. If you are not already on our mailing list, then you can get yourself added by contacting D&S IFCA. You will then be directly notified of all our formal consultations.