Wash Mussel Re-laying Fishery 2024 Consultation
The annual mussel stock survey has identified that there is sufficient stock to open a mussel re-laying fishery in The Wash with a maximum Total Allowable Catch of 3,031 tonnes.
This year, consideration is being given to permitting seed to be re-laid outside of the Wash and North Norfolk Coast SAC. The key areas for consideration to inform a decision are as follows:
Ensuring the right balance of opportunities between local fisheries which rely on the Wash mussel seed and opportunity to supply a larger national mussel seed market;
The potential for the mussel seed to be used to stock Wash lays which have been underutilised, partly as a consequence of a lack of seed mussel;
The potential for mussel seed re-laid within The Wash to contribute to wild mussel stocks through spawning;
The potential for the spread of diseases present in the Wash to other areas of the UK.
A summary of the findings of the survey is available here.
We are now consulting on proposed management measures, with a deadline of Midday 11th March 2024
The questionnaire and measures can be found at the links below:
Mussel Relaying Fishery Questionnaire
Full Wording of Proposed Measures for: