Consultation – Mussel Relaying Biosecurity Measures
On 26 April 2025 the Wash mussel fisheries were closed in response to reports of Chinese Mitten Crab, an Invasive Non-Native Species, being caught alongside mussels. Following a review of the situation, the fishery was reopened on 20 May 2025 with additional permit conditions to address the biosecurity risk, in summary that:
- it is prohibited to re-lay or sell for the purpose of re-laying any mussels caught from The Wash outside of the Wash and North Norfolk Coast SAC without prior authorization from the Authority, and;
- that such authorisation may be given to relay mussels outside of the Wash and North Norfolk Coast SAC if the person wishing to do so can show that all reasonable steps and all due diligence will be taken to avoid releasing any INNS. Further that such authorisation may only be given if the relevant IFCA (where the mussel are being re-laid into), Natural England, The Fish Health Inspectorate and the Non-Native Species Secretariat has provided written advice / approval to the Authority.
These permit conditions were implemented under paragraph 21 of the Wash Cockle and Mussel Byelaw, allowing measures to be put into place at short notice. Such measures then require review, including consultation and impact assessment, within three months.
As such, a consultation has been launched to seek views on the impacts and implementation of these biosecurity permit conditions. A digital copy of the consultation can be found below:
This consultation closes at midday on Wednesday 20 August 2025.