Wash Cockle and Mussel Byelaw 2021 Confirmation
The Wash Cockle and Mussel Byelaw 2021 (WCMB) has been confirmed by Defra on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The byelaw and associated guidance can be found on this page.
The provisions of the WCMB will be put into effect as of 1 May 2025. An implementation plan has been developed to minimise disruption to fishing activity and to ensure that industry is prepared for operating under the new byelaw in time for the 2025 cockle fishery. The main steps to the plan are set out below.
- Publish the Byelaw and Eligibility Policy on the ‘Byelaws’ section of the Authority’s website (3 March 2025)
- In-person meeting to provide fishery stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss the WCMB, Eligibility Policy and the process for its implementation (1000hrs to 1200hrs on 19 March 2025 at the Curlew Centre, Sutton Bridge – confirmation to be provided at a later date)
- Publish feedback on any concerns or queries raised at or before the industry meeting on the Authority’s website (26 March 2025)
- Applications for permits to be received by the Authority by 1 April 2025
- The Wash Training Course, which is required under the Eligibility Policy, is to be held on multiple dates (to be confirmed) during April 2025
- Byelaw enforced from 1 May 2025
- Industry meeting to discuss management options for the 2025 Wash cockle fishery (early May 2025) in accordance with the established process.
Applying for a permit
Permits must be applied for each year. Ordinarily, applications will be required on 1 February of each year. The timing of the Byelaw’s confirmation means that the application deadline cannot be achieved this year and as such, the deadline for the Authority receiving applications this year is 1 April 2025.
Eligibility for permits was determined in 2023 prior to the confirmation of the byelaw to minimise any disruption when the byelaw takes effect and to provide surety to affected industry. If fishers are eligible to hold a permit, they will have been notified in writing during 2023.
If prospective permits holders intend to use the same vessel considered in the 2023 application, the application process will require a declaration that ownership of the vessel associated with the application made in 2023 has not changed. Information for any nominated deputies will also be required.
If prospective permit holders intend to use a different vessel than the one considered in their application during 2023, or they were eligible for a permit under phase 2 or the appeals process, they will be asked to provide evidence as to the ownership of the vessel in accordance with the eligibility policy.
The relevant application form will be enclosed in letters sent out prospective permit holder on or around 3 March 2025.
Eligibility fee in first year of the byelaw
As a consequence of the byelaw coming into force later than the ordinary start of the permit year (1 April to 31 March ordinarily), the ‘eligibility fee’ required has been reduced proportionately to account for the shorter term of ‘eligibility’ provided. The eligibility fee for the first year is therefore £694.60.
The Wash Mussel Fishery 2025
The mussel fishery will be managed under the ‘interim measures’ until 30 April 2025. Those currently fishing in this fishery will be able to continue fishing under the conditions of the exemption that have been issued until then.
Industry engagement
The Authority intends to ensure that fishing industry has all the information required to enable compliance with the WCMB and associated Eligibility Policy. In addition, it is recognised that there may be concerns and queries about the Byelaw and how the Authority will use it to manage cockle and mussel fisheries in The Wash.
Further information about the development of the byelaw and guidance and summary information on the byelaw, Eligibility Policy and application process is available on the Authority’s website. Further engagement is also planned to provide opportunity for fishery stakeholders to raise any concerns or queries prior to the byelaw being enforced. Stakeholders are also welcome to contact the office to seek information at any time.
Feedback is encouraged to ensure that the Authority has provided all the information needed by industry to enable compliance with the new byelaw. It is intended that the engagement process will be refined to meet the needs of industry based on their feedback.
Fishery stakeholders will be kept up to date throughout the implementation period including through the text-message-based ‘Notify’ system which was introduced in 2024.
The development of the WCMB and Eligibility Policy benefitted from engagement with fishery stakeholders, and the Authority intends to continue engaging with industry as fisheries are managed under the new system.