North East England lobster pot fishery
Last Updated: 13 October 2011
Number of fisheries: 1
Species
European lobster (Homarus gammarus)
MSC assessment status
The certification body, Moody Marine Ltd., has announced a revised timeline for the North East England lobster pot fishery.
Please refer to the assessment downloads section for further information.
Fishery location
The fishery is divided into two fishing areas, from the Yorkshire coast within 6nm of the coastline and the Yorkshire coast from 6-12 nm of the coastline. The southerly boundary is a line due east from Spurn Point, East Ridings, and the northerly boundary a line due east of Staithes, North Yorkshire.
FAO statistical area 27, ICES IVb.
Fishing method
Lobster pots (baited traps) of various designs.
Fishery management
The fishery is managed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). NESFC are involved in the fishery management and enforcement out to 6nm. Vessel licensing is carried out by DEFRA and MFO. Scientific advice is provided by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
Commercial market
Catch is transported live to European markets, whilst some is taken to a small local market.
Assessment timeline
The assessment process is scheduled for completion around March 2012. Please see the download section for a detailed assessment timeline.
The target eligibility date for this fishery is 8 July 2011.
The MSC ecolabel can only be applied to product from certified fisheries. The MSC program does allow, in certain circumstances and within strict traceability requirements, the MSC ecolabel to be applied following certification to product caught before the actual date of certification. The target eligibility date therefore represents the date from which products may become eligible to carry the MSC ecolabel, however they cannot be sold until and if the fishery is certified. The actual eligibility date will be determined if the fishery is certified to the MSC standard.
To find out more about when fish from this fishery may be sold with the MSC ecolabel, please follow this link (http://www.msc.org/get-certified/supply-chain/eligibility-dates).
Tonnage of the fishery
518 tonnes in 2009 & 492 tonnes in 2008.
