The Shellfish Management Policies for The Wash that were developed by Eastern Sea Fisheries Joint Committee (ESFJC) were agreed last month by Natural England, ESFJC and the fishing industry. These policies set out the sustainable management of the cockle and mussel fisheries within The Wash – an internationally important area for marine wildlife.

According to Natural England, the agreement of the policies is testimony to the efforts made by all parties to bring about a massive turn-around in the health of The Wash. Over-fishing contributed to a collapse in shellfish stocks in the early 1990s and for the next 10 years there were few signs of recovery. The number of mussel beds fell from over 30 beds in peak years to just one recorded bed in 1997, and cockle stocks also reached record lows.

This had disastrous effects on shellfish-eating birds and on the fishing industry. Major die-offs of oyster-catchers were recorded during the 1990s, with thousands of birds being found dead, and knot counts fell by tens of thousands as a result of suspected emigration from The Wash. The cockle fishery was closed in 1997 through lack of stocks, and the harvesting of mussels from the natural beds remained at unprecedented low levels for several years.

Natural England said it, ESFJC and other stakeholders took immediate action to protect the internationally important wildlife of the site. Following a series of scientific workshops, new research, new management measures and 10 years of dialogue and partnership working between Natural England, ESFJC and the fishing industry there has been a marked improvement in the health of both the wildlife and fisheries in the area.

In 2007 cockle stocks were found to have reached their second highest level since records began, and mussel stocks reached levels not recorded since the late 1980s. Numbers of knot in the site have very nearly recovered to previous levels although oyster-catcher numbers have been slower to recover.

Commenting, Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England said: “The Wash is one of the most outstanding Wetlands in Europe and of exceptional importance for it’s wildlife and biodiversity. Through working closely with the Wash fishermen and ESFJC, sustainable management of Wash shellfisheries has been secured.

“We will continue to work with the industry, including fishermen and fisheries managers in other important sites to achieve similarly effective agreements. The Wash is an example of how, through partnerships, we can achieve a sustainable future for both the natural environment and the economy.”

Mat Mander, Chief Fishery Officer for the Eastern Sea Fisheries Joint Committee, said: “The development of these policies by the Joint Committee and the recent agreement of them is an important milestone for the industry, natural environment and local people. Our work is already making a positive impact, enabling Natural England to change the conservation status of many parts of the SSSI, which is fantastic news and a huge step towards where we want to be in the future.”

Shane Bagley of Boston Fishermen’s Association and Bob Garnett of King’s Lynn Fishing Industry Co-operative said: “Agreeing these policies is important as it has enabled the industry to have direct involvement in management of these fisheries upon which our livelihoods and also the wildlife of the site which we live and work side by side with, depends.”

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