Seagrass Protection Byelaw

[Northumberland IFCA]

Please find below a link to our website concerning the new 'SEAGRASS PROTECTION BYELAW WITHIN THE ENGLISH SECTION OF THE BERWICKSHIRE and NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COAST SPECIAL AREA of CONSERVATION (SAC)'

This Byelaw came into force on 1st April 2014.

http://www.nifca.gov.uk/wp-content/u...ion-byelaw.pdf

[Juliogeordio]

Is there a map for the area that's out of bounds?

[fishingmark]

Am I correct in thinking that this will not affect shore angling but will affect bait collecting and digging?
Still not sure of the areas affected.

[g.ordon]

Am I correct in thinking that this will not affect shore angling but will affect bait collecting and digging?
Still not sure of the areas affected.

Correct mate

[craftycod]

after the painfull process of checking all the coords nothing to worrie about as they are all out to sea apart from number 7, slightly north of marshall meadows. number one is very close to alanmouth but from what i was looking at this would say to me that you can still dig further up the aln.

[Juliogeordio]

Yes mate... Worms beds in the area will be out... Guess we will be buying more of those welsh blacks then! Nt sure how it will effect or tackle shops but defo gonna hit a few lads ho dig their own

[tonyfromalnwick]

Nice to see the angling trust voicing their opposition to any restrictions.

lol

[loopy]

http://www.nesa.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9720&stc=1&d=1397041081

OK guys.
Firstly this bye law was consulted on and publicised and meetings held via NIFCA some of you attended some of you replied via “Stores” to the consolation including myself.
The coordinates on the bye-law relate to the whole of the European Marine Site, special area of conservation from the Scottish Border to Alnmouth see link and map Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site
This bye-law basically as it stands at the moment protects sea grass within that EMS SAC area, mainly around Holy Island and Budle Bay. Most of this area we have not been able to dig in for years, the new bye-law takes a small bit of our allowed digging area around the causeway onto Holy Island that was given to us in recompense of the Budle Bay ban years ago, this through myself and the Angling Trust are presently in negotiation with Natural England through the Northumberland IFCA and was in fact a promise made at the time of consolation to find another small area to dig in.
This in no way effects sea angling and at the moment just a small area of the Causeway at Holy Island.

[Ian Alexander]

Loopy, many thanks again for keeping us informed and investing your time to represent us.

Regards Ian

[fishingmark]

Thanks for that Loopy.