COMMERCIAL FISHING
Langstone Harbour supports a small fleet of commercial fishing vessels, which catch a variety of seafood including Clams, Whelks, Oysters and finfish from its waters.
Fishing activity is regulated by the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (sIFCA). Information about sIFCA byelaws can be viewed here.
Anyone wishing to fish commercially (i.e. sell your catch) within the Southern IFCA District, of which Langstone Harbour is a part, must hold a current Southern IFCA permit, which will be issued to a vessel providing that:
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It is under 12 metres overall length;
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It is registered with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
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It has a fishing licence (administered by the Marine Management Organisation
Application forms for a Southern IFCA permit can be requested by telephone, post or email. Full contact details can be viewed by clicking here. A Southern IFCA permit is valid for 24 months from the date of issue.
Protecting Seagrass
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The seabed in certain areas of Langstone Harbour is home to beds of Seagrass – a rare type of marine plant. Seagrass beds are an extremely important habitat, as not only do they help bind the seabed together to stop it from being eroded by the sea, but also provide a home for many juvenile fish and other marine creatures. Healthy Seagrass beds are important for healthy and productive fish stocks in this region.The Southern IFCA have implemented two byelaws which protect this fragile habitat. These byelaws make it an offence to tow fishing gear of any kind within the Seagrass Protection Areas, as well as prohibiting the gathering of shellfish by hand within the Seagrass Protection Areas. Detailed and up to date information about these bylaws can be found here on the Southern IFCA website.
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