Latest Bait collection info from Sussex IFCA
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Sussex IFCA Email re bait collection
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The Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority are pleased to report that the exploitation of sea fisheries resources within the District will receive enhanced management by ensuring the long-term sustainability of shore gathering activities on marine organisms, in the Sussex IFCA District intertidal areas. The Hand Gathering (Restrictions and Permitting) Byelaw 2021 has been approved by the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Rt. Hon. Steve Reed MP.
The new Byelaw will enable the regulation and recording of hand gathering activities for a range of marine organisms, including shellfish, bait species and seaweeds. It introduces bag limits for various specified species, for anyone hand gathering within the Sussex IFCA district. From the 1st July 2025, anyone intending to gather any of the specified species above these limits will require a Hand Gathering Permit. It also introduces additional bespoke restrictions for relevant Marine Protected Area sites, that will protect the designated features of these sites. This Byelaw will safeguard the most vulnerable and ecologically important intertidal areas, supporting the sustainable management of these fisheries within the Sussex IFCA district, and the ecosystem services they provide.
For those intending to gather specified species above the defined limits, permits can be purchased from the Authority and will last a period of one year from the date of issue. Permits may have associated conditions including areas in which collection can occur, limits on quantities that can be collected and the requirement to submit returns data.The use of permits and flexible permit conditions support adaptive management based on evidence derived from permit holders. The byelaw should be read in conjunction with the flexible permit conditions and byelaw guidance material.
Sussex IFCA have produced extensive guidance for stakeholders on the Hand Gathering (Restrictions and Permitting) Byelaw 2021, including specific guidance for permit holders, and for each of the six Marine Protected Areas covered by the Byelaw. Please see attached our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document and Hand Gathering Factsheet, supporting promotion of the Byelaw introduction.
The Byelaw in full and following guidance documents can be found on the Sussex IFCA web pageshttps://www.sussex-ifca.gov.uk/regulations#HG-byelaw:
Hand Gathering (Permitting & Restrictions) Byelaw 2021 Full Text
Introductory Guidance Document
Permit Application Guidance Document
FAQ Document
Quick Reference Guidance Document
Plus, specific Hand Gathering guidance documents for each of the defined management areas where additional provisions are applied:
Chichester Harbour
Medmerry & Bracklesham Bay
Pagham Harbour
Adur Estuary SSSI
Beachy Head East & West MCZ’s
Dungeness, Romney Marsh & Rye Bay
We hope the provided guidance documents will answer any queries you may have, but please feel free to contact us at admin@sussex-ifca.gov.uk, or on 01273 454407 for further information.
Regards,
Sussex IFCA
Rob Pearson
