Throughout 2019, the Devon & Severn IFCA have followed a three-phase plan to collect and collate information and evidence relating to the use of crab tiles, bait digging and the many other types of fishing activity that have been defined as hand gathering which include the hand collection of mussels and cockles.
A range of options will be considered including revoking legacy byelaws, the use of voluntary codes of conduct and the potential development of a new Hand Working Permit Byelaw. If a new byelaw becomes the chosen option, consultation or “call for information” communication work will be undertaken which will help develop the management measures.
If developed further, a new Hand Working Permit Byelaw will be subjected to a formal consultation in 2020 and the opportunity will exist for supportive responses and letters of objection.