The Western Channel and Southwest Marine Protected Areas Fishing Gear Byelaw 2024

This draft byelaw covers ICES area 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h and 7j and includes measures for the following MPAs:

• Bristows to the Stones - prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MMO portion of the MPA. 

• Cape Bank - a minor change to the boundaries of the existing prohibition of bottom towed fishing gear across the whole of the MMO portion of the site (see section 6). 

• East of Haig Fras - a minor change to the boundaries of the existing prohibition of bottom towed fishing gear across the whole of the site. 

• East of Start Point – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• Greater Haig Fras – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• Hartland Point to Tintagel – prohibition of traps and bottom-set nets and lines across the whole of the MMO portion of the site and inclusion of the existing prohibition of bottom towed fishing gear across the whole of the MMO portion of the MPA. 

• Land’s End and Cape Bank - East of Haig Fras - a minor change to the boundaries of the existing prohibition of bottom towed fishing gear across the whole of the MMO portion of the site (see section 6). 

• North East of Haig Fras – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• North West of Lundy – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• North West of Jones Bank – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• Skerries Bank and Surrounds – prohibition of bottom towed gear and the removal of spiny lobster across the whole of the MMO portion of the MPA. 

• South of Celtic Deep – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• South of the Isles of Scilly – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• South West Approaches to Bristol Channel – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• South West Deeps (East) – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA and bottom-set nets and lines prohibited over the deep-sea bed feature. 

• South-West Deeps (West) – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• Start Point to Plymouth Sound and Eddystone - a minor change to the boundaries of the existing prohibition of bottom towed fishing gear across the whole of the MMO portion of the site. 

• Western Channel – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• West of Wight-Barfleur – prohibition of bottom towed gear across the whole of the MPA. 

In addition, this draft byelaw also incorporates existing fisheries measures for: 

• Haig Fras - existing prohibition of bottom towed fishing gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• South Dorset – existing prohibition of bottom towed fishing gear across the whole of the MPA. 

• The Canyons – existing prohibition of bottom towed fishing gear in most of the MPA.

In addition, this draft byelaw also incorporates existing fisheries measures for:

• Haig Fras - existing prohibition of bottom towed fishing gear across the whole of the MPA.

• South Dorset – existing prohibition of bottom towed fishing gear across the whole of the MPA.

• The Canyons – existing prohibition of bottom towed fishing gear in most of the MPA.