Temporary Measures and Closures

Temporary Measures

 

This section provides up-to-date information on any short-term policies as well as restrictions, closures, or additional requirements currently in place across our district. These measures are introduced to protect marine habitats, safeguard fisheries, and ensure sustainable use of our coastal resources.

 

Here you will find details on:

 

  • Interim Policies: Temporary or interim management policies not covered under permanent legislation.
  • Active Measures: Areas where fisheries are closed or other activities are restricted for conservation or stock protection, or other requirements are in place such as temporary reporting obligations.
  • Emergency Measures: Actions taken in response to environmental events or urgent conservation needs.

 

We update this page regularly to keep you informed.

 

Interim Policies

  • Wash Lay Management (Under Review)
    • Wash ‘lays’ (private aquaculture beds) were historically managed under the Wash Fishery Order 1992, which expired in 2023. Following this expiry, the Wash lays legally ceased to exist, but the status quo is being maintained through closure of the relevant beds and issuance of exemptions to allow those who held lays under the WFO to continue to access their lays. As part of this status quo, WFO policies are, where possible, being maintained. This approach is currently under review.

 

Active Measures:

  • Byelaw 8 – Temporary Closure of Shellfish Fisheries
    • A closure is in place across the Wash and Wash Restricted Area, preventing anyone from fishing for cockles or mussels without an exemption. This closure shall expire on 3 Jan 2026, and management shall continue under the Wash Cockle and Mussel Byelaw 2021 after this date. Click here for more information and a chart of the closure.

 

    • Three closures are in place between Sheringham and Cromer and prohibit both commercial and recreational potting activities to support the Natural Disturbance Study. This closure will expire on 20 April 2026, and is expected to be renewed by that time. Click here for further information and a chart of the closures.

 

  • Byelaw 11 – Development of Shellfish Fisheries
    • All beach launched vessels fishing within the Cromer Shoal MCZ using pots for crab and lobsters must provide location information every 3 minutes.  The Authority will provide electronic monitoring devices which are capable of transmitting this data free of charge if vessels do not have a functioning IVMS unit. Click here for further information and a chart of the MCZ.

 

  • Byelaw XXIV
    • A closure is in place over the Horseshoe point cockle fishery due to lack of water classification in this fishery. The Authority remains prepared to facilitate the opening of a fishery, but a strong case would be required from industry. In particular, industry would need to provide a business case for re-establishing water quality monitoring which is undertaken by the relevant district council and address the issues relating to access via land. This closure expire on 1 September 2026 but is expected to be renewed if these issues are not solved. Click here for a chart of the closure.

 

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