BYELAW 12 - Notes for applicants
RESTRICTIONS ON FISHING FOR BIVALVE MOLLUSCAN SHELLFISH
Byelaw 12 involves regulations relating to fishing for ALL bivalve molluscan shellfish species, for example scallops, spiny cockles, surf clams.
The provisions of the byelaw may affect you, depending on what species you are fishing for, where and at what time.
1. DREDGING FOR MUSSELS, SCALLOPS, AND IN LIMITED AREAS COCKLES
Applications for authorisations to dredge these species are required. In areas traditionally fished for the relevant species, where there is no known conflict with other fishery or conservation interests, authorisations can be decided fairly rapidly by the office. Applications for new areas or where there might be some conflict, will only be decided by the Joint Committee and will consequently take longer to determine.
2. DREDGING FOR NOVEL SPECIES
Applications to commercially harvest ‘novel’ species such as surf clams or razor shells will need to be made and will be determined by the Joint Committee.
3. DREDGING FOR TRADITIONAL SPECIES IN NEW AREAS OR AT NEW TIMES
Applications to commercially harvest these species such as mussels, cockles and scallops will need to be made and will be determined by the Joint Committee.
4. EQUIPMENT APPROVAL
Generally, equipment will be approved as part of the authorisation provided it is in general accordance with most commercial equipment. If observations by Committee staff indicate that the fisheries or environmental impact of the gear is deemed unsuitable then approval will be withheld or withdrawn.
5. APPLICATION FORMS
Applications for harvesting (byelaw 12) should be made on the authorisation request form attached or enclosed here.
CONDITIONS
Conditions will apply to any given authorisation and may specify time, or area fished and may require returns to be made.
Forms to be returned to: Mr. Martyn Boyce, North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee, 1, Preston Street, CARNFORTH, Lancashire. LA5 9BY.
Tel: 01524 68745