Page review/updated 04/02/2025

(Content of page last updated: 4th February 2025)

COMPLETED CONSULTATIONS

We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to respond to any of our consultations. All of our consultation work (often called “Have your Say” or “Call for Information”) can help to inform the decision making of D&S IFCA’s Byelaw & Permitting Sub-Committee (B&PSC) or be used for other work such as informing assessments for Marine Conservation Zones.

This page helps you to see the range of more recent consultation work that has now ended. All of the byelaw/permit condition related engagement work is documented. The reports relating to the different consultations can be read by using links below or by visiting Section F of our Resource Library – Byelaw Development Reports. Officers’ papers that are presented at Byelaw & Permitting Sub-Committee meetings which can be found in Section B of our Resource Library or on our Authority Meetings page.

Formal Public Consultation – Amendments to Commercial (Category One) Mobile Fishing Permit Conditions

D&S IFCA invited all stakeholders to respond to the formal public consultation on a proposed amendment to current commercial (Category One) Mobile Fishing Permit Byelaw Permit Conditions. The formal consultation ended at midnight 2nd February 2025. The information that was prepared for the formal public consultation can be read here. D&S IFCA would like to thank everyone that provided a written response.

What Happens Next?

The written responses are now being examined and a report is being prepared for D&S IFCA’s Byelaw and Permitting Sub-Committee (B&PSC). Consideration regarding the consultation responses and a potential amendments to Category One Mobile Fishing Permit Conditions will be agenda items at the next B&PSC meeting to be held on 27th February 2025.

The papers and reports to be presented to the B&PSC on 27th February 2025 will be posted on the Authority website soon.

If the B&PSC decide to go ahead with the changes to the Category One Mobile Fishing Permit Conditions, amendments will be made as highlighted in the formal consultation.  If there are changes agreed, the amended Category One Mobile Fishing Permit Conditions and Annexes will be reissued to permit holders free of charge before 1^st March 2025.

Have Your Say

Concerns relating to pot fisheries in D&S IFCA’s District and how to address the issues.

The informal consultation that, began on 18th October 2024, ended on 15th November 2024.

The responses were examined and a report was produced to inform the Byelaw and Permitting sub-committee. The report can be read here.

The information was discussed by the B&PSC at their meeting held in December 2024 and discussions will continue at the B&PSC meeting to be held on 27th February 2025. The papers to be presented to the B&PSC will be posted on the website before the meeting.

REVIEW OF THE NETTING PERMIT CONDITIONS 2023/2024

The review began in 2023 and went on to include different stages of consultation and decision making. The review reached its conclusion in February 2024 when the B&PSC determined what changes to make to the Netting Permit Conditions. Amended Netting Permit Conditions came into force on 1st July 2024.

The Final Report that documents the entire process can be read here using this link.

FORMAL CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSED INTRODUCTION OF TWO NEW BYELAWS – HAS NOW ENDED.

Mobile Fishing Permit Byelaw 2022

The formal consultation regarding the proposed Mobile Fishing Permit Byelaw 2022 ended on 20th January 2023. D&S IFCA wish to thank all those that had their say. The responses were collated and a report was prepared for discussion by D&S IFCA’s Byelaw and Permitting Sub-Committee in February 2023. The consultation report can be read here.

Size of Fishing Vessels Byelaw 2022

The formal consultation regarding the proposed Size of Fishing Vessels Byelaw 2022 ended on 20th January 2023. D&S IFCA wish to thank all those that had their say. The responses were collated and a report was prepared for discussion by D&S IFCA’s Byelaw and Permitting Sub-Committee in February 2023. The consultation report can be read here.

PROPOSED BYELAWS – WHAT IS HAPPENING?

The Size of Fishing Vessels Byelaw 2022 is now confirmed. A signed copy (from Defra) was received by the Chief Officer on 7th May 2024. The Mobile Fishing Permit Byelaw 2022 is with the MMO being quality assured, before being sent to Defra.

Other Completed Consultations 

All of the byelaw/permit condition related engagement work is documented. The reports relating to the different consultations can be read by visiting Section F of our Resource Library – Byelaw Development Reports – or by examining the Officers’ papers that are presented at Byelaw & Permitting Sub-Committee meetings which can be found in Section B of our Resource Library.