The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) confirms a decision to close English waters ICES area 7 for the crawfish fishery for UK and EU vessels (using all gear types) from 16 December 2024 to 31 May 2025, inclusive.
The MMO has announced the decision regarding the crawfish fishery closure and D&S IFCA is helping to report this news.
The MMO has reported that an email has also gone out to stakeholders to inform them of the decision, and the decision will be advertised on the MMO’s social media, stakeholder fisheries bulletin and website.
Background
In 2023, the MMO worked with industry to address concerns regarding the southwest crawfish fishery. Following a workshop and consultation, the minimum conservation reference size (MCRS) was increased from 95 millimetres (mm) to 110 mm on 1st January 2024 and a fishery closure was introduced from 5th February 2024 to 30th April 2024, inclusive.
A further workshop took place on 13 February 2024 where a further seasonal closure was discussed, with support for a repeat to the annual closure. MMO ran a consultation from 23rd July 2024 to 18th August 2024 to explore options for a further seasonal closure. MMO also engaged directly with fishers to gather the industry experience from the last closure during port drop in events held at Newlyn, Cadgwith, Newquay and St Marys.
Decision Making
With consideration to responses from the consultation and scientific evidence, the MMO can now confirm the decision to close English waters ICES area 7 for the crawfish fishery for UK and EU vessels (using all gear types) from 16 December 2024 to 31 May 2025, inclusive.
The closure has been designed to offer protection to crawfish during their spawning season, support future growth in the population, limit the risk of mortality due to fish being caught in poor condition and nets being lost in poor weather. The closure will be enacted through a vessel licence variation.
Further information on a summary of responses received and reasoning behind the decision is available here.