Consultation: Renewal of Wash Management

Since the expiry of the Wash Fishery Order 1992 (WFO), Eastern Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority has managed the bivalve shellfish fisheries and private lays in The Wash under the ‘Interim Measures’. These measures use Byelaw 8 (Temporary Closure of Shellfish Fisheries) to ensure the fisheries can only be accessed by exemption and lay holders, rather than being unmanaged.

The management measures will expire on 3 January 2025. The Authority is intending to renew the management measures and continue managing the Wash under the Interim Measures. It is intended that all exemptions issued under the Interim Measures will be renewed and extended in line with normal fisheries management during 2025.

The purpose of the Interim Measures is to ensure continuity of fishing activity, protection of the stocks and environment during the transition from the WFO, and to ensure private lays remain solely accessible by lay-holders.

The WFO will ultimately be replaced by the Wash Cockle and Mussel Byelaw 2021, and a separate Several Order.

It is intended that the closure will remain in place over the wild stocks until a fishery is opened under the Wash Cockle and Mussel Byelaw 2021, and over the private lays until the new Several Order comes into effect, or it is otherwise rescinded or renewed by the Authority.

Consultation

We would like to hear your views on the proposed closure, and you can do so in writing or via e-mail to mail@eastern-ifca.gov.uk.  Responses to the consultation should be received by 4 December 2024.

If you have any questions about the implementation of this temporary closure or the transition from the WFO to the new management mechanisms, please contact the office.