Fisheries

"Plymouth supports one of the largest fishing industries in the South West"

Since the building of the new fish market in 1995 fish landings have increased significantly with trawlers from all over the UK visiting throughout the year and landing at the new facility. For example, 13,409 tonnes of fresh and frozen fish were landed in Plymouth by UK vessels in 1997.

The value of the Tamar estuaries is a highly important area for fisheries and has long been recognised as a tidal fishery for Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout. They are also a highly valuable area for the growth and development of commercially important species such as Sea Bass and Dover Sole. Contributing to the long term management of the Bass fishery in coastal waters, a Bass Nursery Area designation covers the estuaries.

The quality of the fisheries in the Tamar estuaries is reflected in the number of designations made to safeguard this vital regional and local resource. Devon Sea Fisheries Committee have a number of Byelaws which relate to fishing activity within the estuary.

The Environment Agency has a statutory duty to protect the environment. This is achieved through regulating and licence practices likely to cause environmental damage and by promoting sustainable development. Part of these duties is the protection of fishery interests in freshwater and marine environments.

The EA has powers under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 (SAFFFA) within the estuaries and up to a 6 nautical mile offshore limit. The Agency also enforces the laws of the Bass nursery areas in conjunction with DEFRA.

The EA licence salmon nets man to ensure suitable controls over the exploitation of this important species. In recent years the number of Atlantic salmon in the Tamar catchment have dramatically reduced. In 2004 a Net Limitation Order was introduced to reduce the salmon nets licensed on the Tamar to zero. This will ensure that protection is given to the Atlantic Salmon that pass through the Tamar estuary complex on their way to spawn in the Rivers Tamar, Tavy and Lynher.

Research by the Environment Agency in recent years has shown that Allis Shad (a rare herring type fish) breed successfully just below Gunnislake weir. This species is listed under Annex II of the Habitat Directive. This is the only known spawning population in the UK.

The EA also licence eel netsmen. In 2003 nearly 4.5 tonnes of eels where caught within the Tamar estuary. This has reduced over a number of years. During 2004 there were only two licensed eel nets men on the Tamar estuary.

Devon Sea Fisheries is the sea fisheries authority within the Tamar and its subsidiary estuaries (Tavy, Lynher and Plym).

For further information on the Environment Agency fisheries legislation in the Tamar estuary please contact Sally Anne Mitchell on 01208-265012 or visit the Environment Agency website.

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