Consultation: Proposed Management Measures in the Cromer Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ)
The Authority is considering the implementation of management measures within the Cromer MCZ and would welcome your feedback. Two measures are proposed. Please see here for an infographic summarising the proposed measures.
1: The Authority is considering using Byelaw 8: Temporary closure of shellfish fisheries to mandatorily close the 3 areas currently under a voluntary closure for the Natural Disturbance Study. This will help to ensure the study produces high quality information and improves our understanding of how the impact of natural erosion on the chalk compares to any erosion from fishing activity.
A chart showing the proposed closed areas along with coordinates can be found here.
2: The Authority is considering utilising Byelaw 11: Development of shellfish fisheries to require anyone undertaking commercial potting for crab and lobster within the MCZ to provide Eastern IFCA with the following information at regular intervals (at least every 3 minutes):
- Vessel position
- Vessel heading
- Vessel speed
A chart of the MCZ within which the reporting requirements would apply can be found here.
To facilitate providing this information, Eastern IFCA would offer trackers (at no cost to fishers) such as are currently used in monitoring activity around the Natural Disturbance Study closed areas. Other methods of providing the above information would also be accepted, such as the provision of i-VMS data, though this would require both the devices be turned on and approval for Eastern IFCA to submit a data access request to the MMO on your behalf.
These proposed measures would play an important role in supporting the delivery of Adaptive Risk Management, which remains the preferred option for management of the fisheries within the MCZ. On this point it relevant to note the importance of ARM as an alternative to the likelihood of more precautionary management measures.
To respond to this consultation, please contact our office at mail@eastern-ifca.gov.uk or by calling 01553 775321 and asking to speak to our Projects team. The deadline for responses is 20 March 2025.