The consultation runs until 23.59 on 12 May 2026 and follows extensive engagement with industry on a potential closure and longer-term management of this key stock.
Stakeholders may have already given their views during engagement events early this year and these have been recorded so there is no need to complete the online survey.
The options are:
- option 1: 22 November 2026 (end of last neap tide) to 31 May 2027.
- option 2: 22 November 2026 (end of last neap tide) to 10 June 2027 (1st full neap tide).
- option 3: 22 November 2026 (end of last neap tide) to 24 June 2027 (2nd full neap tide).
- other: for respondents to suggest.
The seasonal closure would prohibit retaining and landing crawfish (Palinurus spp) in English waters of ICES area 7 for all UK and EU vessels with all gear types.
The reasons for the closure are to:
- offer protection for breeding and spawning opportunities
- 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
- support future growth in the population by allowing settlement of juvenile stock
Further information is here.