D&S IFCA is inviting all stakeholders to respond to the formal public consultation on proposed amendments to the Category One Mobile Fishing Permit Conditions.
D&S IFCA is inviting everyone to respond to the formal public consultation on proposed amendments to existing Category One (at sea) Mobile Fishing Permit Conditions. The formal public consultation has begun and will end on 7th May 2026. We have directly contacted everyone on our (email) mailing list using Mailchimp. We are also writing to permit holders that have not provided an email address.
The information (in full) is also available in pdf format and can be viewed and downloaded here.
All stakeholders (for example fishermen with permits, recreational anglers, organisations, or anyone with an interest in the marine environment) can respond to each part of the formal public consultation even if they do not conduct mobile fishing within the D&S IFCA’s District.
The formal public consultation circular provides details about what changes are being proposed by Members of the Byelaw and Permitting Sub-Committee and how you can respond. It also sets out the rationale for the proposed changes.
Summary of Proposed Changes
Each of the proposed changes are explained in more detail within the formal consultation circular or pdf document. In summary, the formal public consultation focuses on the following:
- To open a new dredge fishery for razor clams in the South of the D&S IFCA’s District.
It is proposed to use a series of Permit Conditions to regulate this new fishery, including defining where the activity can take place within the areas classified for the harvesting of razor clams by the Food Standards Agency and the use of Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) being fitted to the harvesting vessel to monitor the new fishery.
- To introduce protective measures, using the Permit Conditions, for mariculture sites that have already been licenced by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and established in Labrador Bay, South Devon and Bideford Bay, North Devon.
It is proposed to prohibit demersal mobile fishing within these two mariculture sites to be set out in the Annexes to the Permit Conditions.
- To change the requirement relating to the transmission of IVMS data to reflect the installation of Rewire devices.
It is proposed to amend the Permit Conditions so that Permit Holders with a Nemo (CLS UK (Fulcrum Maritime Ltd)) and a Rewire Security Vessel Monitoring Device fitted to their vessels are compliant with the requirements relating to the transmission and availability of relevant data.
An explanation and the rationale for each of the proposals (and the locations of the two mariculture sites) is set out in the full formal consultation information that can be read here.
Your Response
The formal public consultation is not a questionnaire but does include some prompts to help you set out your response. Your response can be as detailed as you wish and relate to all or any of the proposed changes.
Sending in your response/contacting us
- Contact us via email – consultation@devonandsevernifca.gov.uk
- Write to us: D&S IFCA, Brixham Laboratory, Freshwater Quarry, Brixham, TQ5 8BA.
- Call us to find out more about the formal consultation – 01803 854648 (Extension 856)
What do we do with your information – Privacy Policy.
The formal public consultation includes a privacy notice. D&S IFCA protects any personal data it receives and has a privacy policy which you can read here. Any personal data submitted in this formal public consultation will not be shared with other organisations or placed in the public domain.
What happens next?
The responses submitted in the formal public consultation will be collated and summarised into a report for the Byelaw and Permitting Sub-Committee (B&PSC). At the next meeting of the B&PSC, potentially in June 2026, the B&PSC will discuss the responses and determine what changes, if any, will be made to the Mobile Fishing Permit Conditions.
Background Reports & Papers (Links) and keeping you informed.
Reports and Officers’ papers of most significance to this review of the Netting Permit Conditions are available on D&S IFCA’s website:
We regularly post information about our work on our website/Facebook. Direct communication is often the best way to help you stay informed about our work and to highlight the opportunities for you to have your say on a range of topics or issues. If you are not already on our mailing list, then you can get yourself added by contacting D&S IFCA. You will then be directly notified of all our consultations.