Crawfish consultation 2025
Fishers with an interest in the crawfish fishery in English waters of ICES area 7 are being urged to respond to a new consultation on a potential closure in 2025/2026. The consultation closes at midnight on 20 July 2025
Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is seeking the views of stakeholders on a seasonal fishing ban prohibiting the retaining and landing of crawfish (Palinurus app) for all UK and EU vessels with all gear types.
The purpose of the seasonal closure would be to:
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offer protection for breeding and spawning opportunities
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reduce the risk of high mortality rates from catching fish that are in poor condition and from the potential of long net soak times or net loss in poor weather, and
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support future growth in the population by allowing settlement of juvenile stock
There are 2 options being consulted on for the potential seasonal closure in 2025/2026. These options are:
- option 1: no closure.
- option 2: closure from 19 December 2025 to 31 May 2026 (inclusive).
Further information
For more information and to access the consultation read here.