Informal Consultation – Byelaw 10: Mobile Netting

Proposed NWIFCA Byelaw 10: Mobile Netting

NWIFCA are initiating an informal consultation to get your views on a proposed Mobile Netting Byelaw.

NWIFCA currently have a suite of byelaws which relate to the management of mobile netting in the district. Many of these byelaws are legacy Cumbria Sea Fisheries Committee, or North West and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee byelaws. As such, there is inconsistent management across the district, with some areas having different gear specifications or prohibitions.

The aim of the proposed Byelaw 10, is to consolidate these byelaws and bring in consistent management across the district.

This consultation will be open until 16th January 2026

Current byelaw suite:

*Please note, that the NWIFCA Byelaw 6: Protection of European Marine Site Features relates to the prohibition of bottom towed gear in the NWIFCA district. This byelaw is not being considered for consolidation with the above mentioned byelaws.

What activities and gear type will Byelaw 10: Mobile Netting consider?

The gear and activities being considered in this byelaw are:

• Beam trawling for all species
• Otter trawling for all species
• Multi-rigged trawling
• Seine netting (Scottish, Danish, etc.)
• Shrimp and prawn trawling from vehicles/vessels
• Commercial and recreational activities associated with the above.

What regulations will the new byelaw consider?

We would like your views

The purpose of this informal consultation is to collect your views to help guide the development of the byelaw, and understand the impact any changes may have on industry. Once a draft copy of the byelaw is complete, a FORMAL consultation will take place.

How to participate

Option 1: Fill out the questionnaire online.

You can fill out the online questionnaire by clicking the button below, or request a paper copy by calling the office on 01524 727 970

Option 2: Arrange a call

If you would prefer to speak with a member of the team directly, you can arrange for a call by emailing the [email protected] or calling 01524 727 970

All stakeholders who call us directly will be asked to answer the questionnaire when speaking with officers.

Use of your data

Why have you asked for my name or permit number in the questionnaire if it is anonymous?

All answers to the questionnaire and issues raised with officers will be confidential. The results of the questionnaire will be presented anonymously to the Authority and as a general summary of the results.

For the consultation to be fair to all stakeholders, we want to reduce the risk of any individual submitting multiple questionnaire responses. Your permit number and name are taken to ensure you contribute only once to the consultation.