Minimum Conservation Reference Size Byelaw

[Coddy]

Minimum Conservation Reference Size Byelaw

Southern IFCA is pleased to announce the confirmation of the Minimum Conservation Reference Size Byelaw. The byelaw introduces minimum sizes to enable the protection of juvenile fish and shellfish species. These minimum size measures will be applied throughout the commercial supply chain and to recreational fishers. The measures include new minimum sizes for wrasse species, grey mullet species and crawfish. The byelaw is now in force throughout the Southern IFC District. 

See link to minimum sizes here https://www.southern-ifca.gov.uk/minimum-sizes

[Coddy]

SCHEDULE 1A

SOUTHERN INSHORE FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY SPECIFIED MINIMUM CONSERVATION REFERENCE SIZES FOR SPECIES NOT SUBJECT TO THE LANDING OBLIGATION FISH Ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) 180 millimetres

Black seabream (Spondyliosoma cantharus) 230 millimetres

Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) 300 millimetres

Conger eel (Conger conger) 580 millimetres

Corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops) 140 millimetres

Dab (Limanda limanda) 230 millimetres

Flounder (Platichthys flesus) 270 millimetres

Grey thick-lipped mullet (Chelon labrosus) 420 millimetres

Grey thin-lipped mullet (Chelon ramada) 420 millimetres

Golden grey mullet (Chelon aurata) 360 millimetres

Goldsinny wrasse (Ctenolabrus rupestris) 120 millimetres

Lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) 250 millimetres

Red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) 150 millimetres

Rock cook wrasse (Centrolabrus exoletus) 120 millimetres

Skate or ray – whole 400 millimetres Skate or ray – wing 200 millimetres

Turbot (Scopthalmus maximus) 300 millimetres

Witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) 280 millimetres

 

SCHEDULE 1B

Cod (Gadus morhua) 350 millimetres

European bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) 420 millimetres

Horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) 150 millimetres

Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) 200 millimetres

Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) 270 millimetres

Pollack (Pollachius pollachius) 300 millimetres

Sole (Solea spp.) 240 millimetres

Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) 270 millimetres

 

 

Explanatory Note (not part of the byelaw)

This byelaw prohibits the taking, retention on board, transhipping, landing, transporting, storing, selling, displaying or offering for sale of specified marine organisms below specified sizes. The prohibitions are split into two schedules. Schedule 1A applies to all persons, irrespective of whether they are a commercial operator or a recreational operator. These are the species which are not subject to the landing obligation and have a minimum landing size specific to the Southern IFC District. Schedule 1B applies to all persons but contains a provision which exempts vessels fishing under a commercial fishing vessel licence issued by the Marine Management Organisation or a devolved administration, as these vessels are required to comply with landing obligations and Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes for these are provided for in UK legislation. The prohibitions are applied to all persons for undersized velvet crabs and undersized male spider crabs with the exception of existing prohibitions, applied through UK Statutory Instruments. The byelaw includes method of measurement according to the anatomy of the named species.

[Steve S]

Thanks Dave, some of these sizes are shamefully small eg 18cm for Ballan Wrasse, huh!

[Kingfisher 126]

Is that now saying you can’t keep live baits on board if under that size, a thin line yet again! 🤷

[plaicemat]

12 hours ago, Kingfisher 126 said:

Is that now saying you can’t keep live baits on board if under that size, a thin line yet again! 🤷

Exactly what I was thinking, that would be the biggest impact on me as I have self imposed quite high size limits for keeping fish.

 

Terry.

[Coddy]

I am sorry if some people think these minimum sizes are wrong, but all stakeholders, including RSA's, were invited to send in there comments both as a group or individually.

We at the Poole & District Sea Angling Association sent in our comments on the sizes, I think it is time that all RSA's started to make more demands or at least send in comments and suggestions to the IFCA's on proposals or actions needed.

I would have thought that the PBSBAC would have been contacted as a stakeholder group to get information out to its membership.

You can always look up current proposals and consultations that current by logging onto Southern IFCA's web site. 

 

Sometimes as an angling body we need as many inputs as we can get to stop over enthusiastic national conservation groups putting up restricting issues and not being challenged on their data. A good example of this was concerning Black Bream mortality rates by catch & release. When looking at the data put forward it was challenged and found inconclusive.

[Colin-58]

Thanks for posting Dave 👍          Colin