James Wild MP today raised the impact of the decision by the Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (EIFCA) not to open the cockle fishery on Lynn’s fisher fleet during a debate in Parliament. James has been contacted by local fishermen concerned at the impact this decision will have and he met with the EIFCA and borough council to consider this matter.
Speaking in a debate on the UK’s inshore fishing fleet, he said:
“King's Lynn continues to be a busy port with cockles, shrimp, and whelks caught in the Wash. However, fisherman are very concerned at the recent decision by the Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, the EIFCA, not to open cockle fishery this year. It's a very worrying time for the fisherman, concerned for the loss of their livelihood, and the impact on those who crew the vessels, through to those in the processing factories.”
In response, Victoria Prentis MP, Minister for Fisheries agreed to meet James to discuss this further and said:
“Inshore Fishery and Conservation Authorities vary in their effectiveness and I think it is really important his IFCA continues to meet the sector and that they continue to talk through solutions and any schemes that exist. This is clearly a very difficult situation for the local fishermen.”
Text of speech
“Fishing is an important part of the heritage of King's Lynn in my constituency where the fishing fleet has been proudly sailing for 700 years. I encourage honourable members to visit our historic town. I recommend the True's Yard Fisherfolk Museum, which includes the final remaining cottages of Lynn's old fishing community in the North End.
Today King's Lynn continues to be a busy port with cockles, shrimp, and whelks caught in the Wash. However, fisherman are very concerned at the recent decision by the Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, the EIFCA, not to open cockle fishery this year.
That decision follows the annual cockle survey which found that, "the stocks in the regulated fishery do not meet the bird food model fresh hold, and are unable to support cockle fishery this year”. That is Natural England's model which uses the oyster catcher population as an indicator of other species, and the EIFCA also added that this decision is primarily the result of very low spatfalls in 2019 and 2020, and only a moderate spatfall in 2021.
Now of course as others commented, maintaining that balance between sustainable fishing industry and conservation including over-wintering birds is essential particularly in this internationally significant site. The local fisherman have questioned Natural England's assessment and the time at which it was carried out.
Now normally when one fishery is closed this will be redirected to the whelks or shrimp fisheries, but the EIFCA considers that these fisheries are also under pressure and will not be sustainable if there was an increase in what is taken from them. So that is not an option for these fisherman either - a further blow for them.
Last week a protest was held in King's Lynn, fisherman from Lynn, Boston and support from Cromer, and Wells when the EIFCA met to make this decision. It's a very worrying time for the fisherman, concerned for the loss of their livelihood, and the impact on those who crew the vessels, through to those in the processing factories. It obviously comes at a time where people are facing higher energy and other bills which the Chancellor has sought to mitigate with targeted support.
I've written to my honourable friend to highlight the situation and the implications for the local fisherman. And along with my honourable friend for Boston we met with the EIFCA along with King's Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council. Following that meeting the borough council is meeting with the fisherman to try and assess the impact more fully of the decision not to open the fishery this year and the inability for boats to be diverted to other fisheries.
And as others have commented one of the issues that the fisherman have raised is the communication with EIFCA and Natural England. I’m sure the Minister will share my view that proper consultation and engagement should be at the core of how these bodies operate. There's certainly much more that needs to be done to make sure that there is proper dialogue because it's not happening at the moment as the fisherman in my patch would testify.
Now this fishing fleet has a proud history and it's important that the fisherman have confidence in the future. So, in conclusion, I hope my honourable friend will agree to meet with me to discuss this important issue, including Natural England's advice and how we can assist the fisherman in my constituency at this very concerning time.”
