Wash Fishery Order Replacement
The Wash Cockle and Mussel Byelaw 2021 was confirmed on 26 February 2025 and will be put into effect from 1 May 2025 following an implementation period. 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.
The byelaw and associated guidance can be found on this page: The Wash Cockle & Mussel Byelaw 2021
The feedback from the in-person industry meeting can be found by clicking this link – 19.03.25 WCMB Implementation Meeting
The Authority is the grantee of the Wash Fishery Order 1992 which is used to manage public and private bivalve mollusc fisheries within The Wash.
The Order expired on 3 January 2023 and will be replaced with a byelaw (to manage the public fisheries) and a Several Order to manage the lays.
This page will be updated throughout the transition from the Wash Fishery Order 1992 to the new management regimes to keep all those involved up to date and provide the information and documentation.
To apply to fish under the interim measures (WFO entitlement holders only) please complete the form here and send to us.
