Consultation: Wash Cockle and Mussel Byelaw Fees

Overview

Responses to this consultation must be received by Eastern IFCA by midday on Friday 15 May 2026.

Eastern IFCA is seeking views from permit holders and industry representatives regarding proposed changes to the Eligibility Fee and Permit Fees under the Wash Cockle and Mussel Byelaw 2021. The fee changes are being considered in line with the Authority’s objective of achieving 50% cost recovery for managing the Wash cockle and mussel fisheries, which includes undertaking the annual surveys.

This consultation forms part of the required process where fee changes exceed 3.5% of current values, as set out in the byelaw.

 

Proposed New Fees

Eligibility Fee: £1,102 (up from £757.75)
Hand‑work Cockle Permit: £442 (up from £339.57)
Hand‑work Mussel Permit: £101 (down from £101.39)
Dredge Mussel Permit: £152 (down from £162.48)

 

Why We Are Proposing Fee Changes

As the last fee review was undertaken in 2019, several factors have led to significantly higher costs for the Authority in the intervening years:

– Increases in staff costs, vessel days, and associated operational expenses

– Inflation, particularly since 2021

– Additional demands on management activities, including annual consultations, impact assessments, Habitat Regulation Assessments and increased compliance activity

However, mussel permit fees are decreasing slightly due to reduced patrol effort and lower activity levels

Together, this means that the overall cost of accessing the cockle fishery would rise from £1,097.32 to £1,544. While this is a significant percentage increase, it totals under £450.

 

How To Respond

The Authority is seeking the views of stakeholders on the proposed fee changes for the fishery.  Importantly, we are also seeking additional economic information from Wash cockle and mussel fishermen to inform impact assessments about the proposed fee increases and future measures.

To participate in the consultation, please complete the questionnaire at the following link: Permit Fee Questionnaire

A hard copy of the questionnaire is available on request. The deadline for responses is midday on Friday 15 May 2026.

All information gathered from the consultation will be confidential and only summary information, not attributable to individuals, will be published.

Alternatively, please submit any comments to Eastern IFCA’s office at the address below or by email to mail@eastern-ifca.gov.uk.

Eastern IFCA, 6 North Lynn Business Village, Bergen Way, King’s Lynn, PE30 2JG