Protected Area Byelaw and Regulatory Notices
Eastern IFCA has a flexible managed area byelaw in order to further the conservation objectives of European Marine Sites whilst allowing for the dynamic nature of the East Anglian marine environment and local fishery characteristics. Under the Byelaw the Authority will, where necessary, issue, vary or revoke Regulatory Notices which restrict or prohibit fishing where there is a risk to features of a European Marine Sites.
The first four Regulatory Notices introduced under the Byelaw (which came into effect on 16th May 2014) provide protection for:
- Sabellaria spinulosa (Ross worm) reef in The Wash;
- Sub-tidal Boulder and Cobble Communities in The Wash; and
- Zostera.
The full Byelaw can be found Click here
Four Regulatory Notices have been introduced under the Protected Areas Byelaw:
- Regulatory Notice 1 prohibits fishing with bottom towed gear in nine restricted areas located in The Wash
- Regulatory Notice 2 prohibits fishing with bottom towed gear in one restricted area located in The Wash
- Regulatory Notice 3 prohibits fishing with bottom towed gear in five restricted areas along the North Norfolk Coast between Blakeney and Brancaster
- Regulatory Notice 4 prohibits Fishing with bottom towed gear, all fishing by handwork and fishing by crab tiling in one restricted area on the Lincolnshire coast on Haile Sand between Northcoates Point and Donna Nook
The Byelaw and the four Regulatory Notices were developed in consultation with a range of service users, stakeholders and partners and seeks to balance the objectives of managing a sustainable marine environment and inshore fishing industry. The Protected Areas Byelaw received Ministerial assent and came into effect on 16th May 2014.