Clyde cod spawning closure 2022-2023: consultation

Since 2001, a specific area in the Firth of Clyde has been closed to fishing each year between 14 February and 30 April, in order to protect spawning cod. This consultation is seeking views on continuing this closure for 2022 and 2023.


Objective of the Consultation

1. The Scottish Government has made a Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) on a biennial basis from 2002-2021 to provide for the closure of a specified area of the Clyde to most types of fishing activity from 14 February to 30 April each year. The purpose of the closure, first established by the EU Fisheries Council in 2001, has been to protect spawning cod in the area. Exemptions have always been provided for Nephrops trawlers, creels and scallop dredgers in the area due to the low amounts of cod they catch.

2. The Sea Fish (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2019 No. 419 provided for the closure regime in 2020/21 and is available online[1].

3. This consultation seeks views on the continuation of the seasonal closure in 2022/23 including the exemptions previously available.

Contact

Email: rosanne.dinsdale@gov.scot

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