New legislation for crustacean fisheries in Welsh waters

Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant has announced minimum size requirements for lobsters and crabs as one of several measures of new legislation which comes into force today (Monday 1 February) to help improve the quality and sustainability of Welsh stocks.

The Specified Crustaceans (Prohibition on Fishing, Landing, Sale and Carriage)(Wales) Order 2015 replaces legislation previously in force relating to Lobster, Crawfish and a number of species of Crab, addressing minimum size requirements as well as measures to protect the breeding stock of lobsters and the removal of parts of crustaceans.

The aim of the new legislation is to simplify the management and enforcement of the Welsh crustacean fishery  which has historically been hampered by complex layers of legislation.

Carl Sargeant said:

“ As a government we want to introduce an ecosystems approach to the management of our seas protecting and preserving natural resources, using healthy populations as the basis to drive sustainable economic growth.

“The challenge for fisheries managers is finding the balance between the need to avoid activity that harms our environment and the desire to maximise the value of activities that we can undertake sustainably.”

The crustacean fishery (which includes Lobsters, Edible or Brown Crab, Crawfish, Spider Crab, Velvet Crab and Green Crab) is one of the largest commercial fisheries sectors in Wales.  Marine Management Organisation statistics from 2012 recorded 1,300 tonnes of crustaceans landed into Welsh ports at a value of £3.8 million .

Carl Sargeant added:

“Shellfish have significant sustainable economic potential and we have a responsibility to manage these assets sustainably to ensure appropriate economic growth and the protection of livelihoods around our coast.

“The Welsh Government would like to see a viable and sustainable inshore crustacean fishery with simple and effective legislation to manage that fishery.   I hope the measures I am announcing today will help to ensure the long term sustainability of fish stocks.”