Agenda for the North West VIIA Fisheries Group meeting to be held on 9th November 2021 15:00 pm – 17:00 pm  

There was unfortunately a dropped object incident at the Ormonde Offshore Wind Farm on Friday 15th October 2021, during which a rotor and 3 turbine blades fell into the water. A Kingfisher bulletin was issued. Subsequently, various sized fragments of the 3 blades have been washing up on the beaches along the Cumbrian coast, from Walney Island and north towards Workington and Whitehaven. Ambipar Response https://ambipar.com/uk/ (an Environmental Response contractor), have been enlisted to assist in the clean-up operation. They currently have 5 teams working along the coastline, collecting debris that they identify, and we ask that members of the public report any sightings of debris via the dedicated reporting phone line 0333 4141 912. When the weather allows, it is intended that a RIB will be deployed to assist nearshore surveys. Click here for more information

In this issue of the marine planning newsletter you will find: Progress towards adoption of the North East, North West, South East, South West Marine plans Baseline monitoring surveys for the North East, North West, South East and South West Marine Plans South Marine Plans Three Yearly-Report Monitoring Report Joint Working: Offshore Transmission Network Review Marine Planners updates from around the coast Team changes and recruitment Coastal marine planners Click here to access the newsletter

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) opened four funding rounds on the 25th August for applications to help support the fishing and seafood sector in England. The time-limited competitive rounds, which are being delivered by MMO on behalf of Defra under the £6.1 million Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS), will match fund projects that deliver sustainable growth in the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors, and that conserve, enhance and support the recovery of the marine environment. They consist of: Grants for projects that support businesses trading in Live Bivalve Molluscs (LBMs). Grants for projects that contribute towards protecting the marine environment. Grants for projects that deliver world class science and technological advancements. Grants for projects that support or enhance the recreational sea fishing sector. More information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fisheries-and-seafood-scheme-funding-rounds-open-for-applications The closing date for submissions is 6 October 2021. You can find out more details on this, including how to apply, in the following link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fisheries-and-seafood-scheme#FaSS

In November 2020, a Working Group was formed in Copeland to start a conversation about whether this area could be right for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for the UK’s higher activity radioactive waste – and what a GDF could mean for Copeland. Click here to download more information

VIIA Regional Fisheries Group meeting – will take place on Tuesday 10th August 2021 at 16:00 pm, using Microsoft Teams If you are interested in attending, then please contact Edward Baker – Principal Fisheries Manager at the MMO via email – [email protected] for a link to join the meeting

The report titled “Presence of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and other species in proposed bass nursery areas”, is now available from the Government’s website. Click here to access the report

On May 7th 2021 legislation allowing for virtual local government meetings expired. Therefore, the proposed meeting to be held on 18th May 2021 should be held at a physical location. Unfortunately as a Covid secure location could not be found in time, the meeting has had to be cancelled.

At the request of the Authority, NWIFCA officers are consulting Byelaw 3 permit holders on their views regarding leaving open cockle beds in the District until the 31st May 2021. This is as a result over external pressures faced by industry during the coronavirus pandemic and post EU exit. This would only apply to beds currently open (Newbiggin, Flookburgh, Leven and Pilling) and would be subject to stock assessments, HRA (Habitats Regulation Assessment) and approval by the TSB committee. There may be the need to have fishing restrictions to ensure the beds are not over exploited. NWIFCA will continue to assess the cockle stocks within the district and further consider management options for any potential opening of cockle beds for the 2021/2022 season, which may involve seeking your views again. Please could you submit your response by email to [email protected] by Friday 9th April. Please state clearly in the email, your name and if Newbiggin, Flookburgh, Leven and Pilling should remain open until 31st May 2021 or close on the 1st May 2021.

Both the Leven Island and Pilling cockle fisheries will open for hand gathering by Byelaw 3 permit holders on Monday 7th November 2016. Leven Island Cockle Fishery: The full authorisation containing details of the conditions under which this fishery must be prosecuted can viewed/downloaded here – Leven Sands Authorisation Nov 2016-FINAL. Supporting documentation: NWIFCA-MB-EMS-COCKLE-LEVEN-Nov16 South Lakeland District Council will issue Registration (Movement) Documents to food business operators for the movement of Cockles from the Leven Island beds (Classified as B). Requests for documents should be made from the Public Protection group 01539 733333 at South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4DQ (opening hours 8.30-17.00) or [email protected]. Documents can be collected or will be posted first class. Registration documents will be in triplicate. One copy to accompany the batch to the Purification centre or Relay area, one copy to be kept by the Agent/Gatherer (food business operator) and one copy to be returned to South Lakeland District Council. Pilling Cockle Fishery : The full authorisation containing details of the conditions under which this fishery must be prosecuted can viewed/downloaded here –Pilling Sands Authorisation Nov 2016_FINAL Supporting documentation: Pilling Cockle Fishery HRA 2016_FINAL Information from Wyre Council regarding classification and movement documents…

Recent Cockle Survey Results Following presentation of cockle survey results (link), at the Bivalve Mollusc Working Group on Monday 10th October, an agreement was reached by all sectors at the meeting to recommend opening Pilling Sands and Leven Sands cockle beds to hand-gathering of cockles. Officers are seeking your views on this recommendation to take to the TSB meeting on 1st November, where the Authority will decide on this recommendation.  Please email your views to [email protected] and state clearly whether you think: A – Pilling Sands should be opened – Yes / No – plus comments B – Leven Sands should be opened – Yes / No – plus comments

The Angling Trust The Angling Improvement Fund was launched in January 2015 when £65,000 of rod licence money was allocated for angling organisations to improve facilities, buy equipment and do other projects in support of the National Angling Strategy. Another £50,000 was made available in summer 2015 followed by £200,000 at the start of 2016. All in all, no less than 85 awards of up to £5,000 have been made so far – a great give-back to angling! The Fund ensures that money received from your Environment Agency rod licence goes straight back into the sport you love… read more