Outcome documents from the formal consultation on the Closed Areas Byelaw 2021 have now been published.

Eastern IFCA’s formal consultation on the Closed Areas Byelaw 2021, which ran from 9 October to 17 November 2025, considered proposed revisions to closures under the Marine Protected Areas Byelaw 2018. Following feedback received, the byelaw has been amended in relation to the timing of the seasonal closure for Closed Area 33 off the North Norfolk Coast, stretching from Wells to just before Cley.

Other responses highlighting potential impacts to the fishing industry have been carefully considered against the Authority’s legal obligation to prevent adverse impacts to site integrity of Marine Protected Areas. These impacts have been acknowledged within the associated Impact Assessment.

Read the full outcome document on the Consultation page.