Review of the legislation to manage the inshore crustacean fisheries in Wales

A review of all fisheries legislation in Wales was commenced in January 2012 with the remit to review all items to ensure they are fit for purpose.

One of the priority areas is the measures for regulating the crustacean fisheries around the Welsh coastline. Currently there are different sets of regulations that apply in different parts of Wales and are inconsistent. These cause confusion throughout the industry and make it difficult for officials to enforce some of the regulations.

We intend to revoke current legislation and put in place a suite of relevant and coherent measures which will simplify the management and enforcement of the industry. This will help to ensure long term sustainability for the Welsh crustacean fisheries.

Phase I of the crustacean review covers measures related to the minimum size of Lobster, Crawfish, Brown/edible Crab, Spider Crab and Velvet Crab.

This phase also covers measures to protect the breeding stock of lobsters in Wales. The proposals aim to standardise these restrictions so that a single size for each species applies across the entire Welsh coastline, out to twelve nautical miles.

Phase II of the review will deal with further conservation measures, including maximum size and escape gaps in pots, etc. Additionally consideration will be given to possibly introducing some form of effort management regime.

These phase II measures require more evidence before they can be considered for introduction. However to inform development of these proposals, comments are also invited from the industry on these additional conservation measures.