Do I Need a License to Catch Lobster in the North Eastern IFCA District in 2024?

If you plan to catch edible crab, velvet crab, lobster, or whelk from the North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NEIFCA) District in 2024, you will need a permit. The Limited Shellfish Permit allows hobby fishermen to take up to 2 lobsters, 10 crabs, and 30 whelks per day from the shore or a boat. However, there are several regulations and byelaws you must follow when fishing for these species in the NEIFCA District.

Regulations for Catching Lobster and Crabs

It is prohibited to land any female lobster or edible crab bearing eggs in the NEIFCA District. If you catch one, it must be returned immediately and as close as possible to the location where it was caught. Additionally, escape gaps measuring 80mm x 46mm are mandatory for all pots used to catch lobster and crabs under NEIFCA Byelaw XXVIII.

To protect female lobsters old enough to breed, a V-notch may be cut into their tail fan. If you catch a V-notched lobster, you must return it to the sea or rock pool immediately. Minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) are in place to ensure the health of the stock and allow species to breed at least once before being removed from the sea. You can contact the NEIFCA office for the latest guidance on MCRS for fish and shellfish.

Prohibited Species and No-Take Zones

There are certain species that are prohibited from being caught, retained, or fished for in the NEIFCA District. No tope or parts can be taken from the district, and all tope must be immediately returned to the sea. Any salmon or sea trout must be returned immediately unless you hold an appropriate Environment Agency license. It is also prohibited to catch, retain, or fish for any shad species, and any shad caught must be returned immediately.

A no-take zone exists at Flamborough Head, extending from Sewerby Steps to Danes Dyke and 700m seawards from the base of the cliffs. Nothing can be taken from the shore or sea within this zone.

Recreational Fishing in the NEIFCA District

The NEIFCA District hosts large numbers of recreational sea anglers who enjoy fishing for fish and shellfish. The North Eastern coast of England is home to rugged chalk cliffs full of nesting seabirds and rocky reefs teeming with crabs and lobsters, making it a popular destination for hobby fishers.

NEIFCA is responsible for the sustainable management of fisheries and fisheries activities, including Marine Protected Areas, out to a distance of six nautical miles. They want to help recreational fishers who fish from the shore or a boat to understand the laws that affect them.

To ensure you comply with all relevant regulations and for the most up-to-date information, you can contact the NEIFCA office at (01482) 393515. You may also encounter one of their Fishery and Conservation Officers patrolling the coast, who may want to check what you have caught to ensure it is the right size and not subject to any restrictions.