I am sure this subject has been done before,but if diving off the english coast,do you need any licence to take lobster, crabs,scollops,etc.
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licence for crustations
- Thread starterwildranger
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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The basic answer is no you don't need a licence if you are not fishing commercially. However the UK seems to be becoming more like the good ol' US of A everyday. Over there, there are Federal laws and State laws and the in the UK some local councils seem to think, rightly or wrongly, that they can create byelaws independant of National laws. So you have to know your local area and its particular set of rules. These will not however ban you from any Nationally lawful activity. That is to say that size limits, seasonal and area bans etc can be imposed in a local area.
However you also need to take the wider view. Diving next to lobster pots and coming ashore with said lobsters will not win you many friends. Diving in harbours for scallops will not endeer you to the authorities. Even if something is legal doesn't make it right. On the other hand don't put up with threats from other fishers when you are in the right.
If you haven't caught crabs/lobbies/scollies etc before why noy try to hook up with a more experienced local spearo/gatherer perhaps through DB and get a bit of local advice.
Dave
However you also need to take the wider view. Diving next to lobster pots and coming ashore with said lobsters will not win you many friends. Diving in harbours for scallops will not endeer you to the authorities. Even if something is legal doesn't make it right. On the other hand don't put up with threats from other fishers when you are in the right.
If you haven't caught crabs/lobbies/scollies etc before why noy try to hook up with a more experienced local spearo/gatherer perhaps through DB and get a bit of local advice.
Dave
wildranger , the short answser to your question is no , however as O.M.D rightly points out local by-laws do apply to the taking of fish and shellfish , whether commercially or for personal use . These mainly concern, size limits and close seasons , it's a good idea to familliarize yourself with an areas by-laws before taking anything , e.g. there is a max' £5000 fine for taking scallops out of season in the Devon Fisheries area ( plus loss of equipment ) . If you're unsure just phone the fisheries officer of the area you want to fish and they will tell you . One more thing to consider is marine reserves with no-take zones , I think with the exception of Lundy Island , these are voluntary and it's up to you to decide if you abide by the code or not ( obviously taking Bass from a nursery site will land you in deep sh*t ) . So you go ahead and take what you need , in the knowledge that collecting by hand and spearfishing are the most sustainable methods of obtaining seafood possible ( steps off of soapbox ).
