Wash Mussel Fishery 2026 – Permit Condition Review

This consultation closes at 11:59 on the 5/10/2026

Eastern IFCA is seeking your views on current management measures including those which came into effect on 31 July 2026 under the Wash Cockle and Mussel Byelaw 2021.

Under the new model for managing the mussel fisheries in The Wash, it is intended that general management measures will be carried over each year (such as tracker requirements) to enable the fishery to continue during and immediately after the annual mussel stock surveys where stock levels are sufficient to enable this.

The 2026 mussel stock survey is expected to be completed by the end of October. Following the survey, a further consultation will consider annual management measures such as the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and open fishing beds. If stock levels are found to be insufficient, or if continued fishing could impact bird food requirements, the fishery may be paused or closed to protect the wider ecosystem

Further information to inform your views can be found at: Wash Mussel Fishery 2026 – Permit Conditions Review