Published: 6th August 2019

Northumberland IFCA Consults On Proposals For Management of the Coquet to St Mary’s MCZ

Northumberland IFCA is consulting on proposed management measures for Coquet to St Mary’s Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). The deadline for all responses is 30th September 2019.

Coquet to St Mary’s MCZ is designated for the protection of a number subtidal and intertidal habitats. Northumberland IFCA has duties to manage fisheries within MCZs and to ensure that the conservation objectives of any MCZ in the Authority’s district are furthered. Northumberland IFCA has identified that there are aspects of the use of mobile gear (trawls and dredges) which are not compatible with the site’s conservation objectives. Therefore, the Authority is proposing the following management measures: –

Prohibition on the use of mobile gear within Coquet to St Mary’s MCZ. An exemption may be issued to a vessel which can produce evidence of fishing within this site in the past 3 years.

Exempt vessels can only fish with specified gear (light otter trawling gear only) within the site.

For full details of the proposed management, including details of how responses can be made,  see the full consultation document HERE