Cornwall Sea Fisheries District Guide to minimum fish and shellfish sizes

The Helford Marine Conservation Group often receives enquiries regarding the fishing regulations in force on the Helford River and the minimum fish and shellfish sizes that are permitted to be landed. It must be remembered that the Helford River is one of the few remaining tidal water private fisheries in Britain and is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. Shore fishing with rod and line (subject to Duchy consent) is not banned in the river but may be restricted by access. Permission rests with the Duchy or its licensee but recreational anglers are normally accepted.

The usual methods of ledgering, feathering, spinning and float fishing can be employed. The baits used may be sandeel (except when fishing from a boat between May and December inclusive), mackerel strip, feathers, lugworm, ragworm, crab or prawns. A wide range of fish may be caught during the appropriate season including - cod, whiting, coley, pouting, thornback ray, mackerel, bass, garfish, pollack, scad, grey mullet, plaice, dabs, red mullet, wrasse, flounder, lesser spotted dogfish, black bream, gilthead bream and couch’s bream.

The Helford River is an important area for the younger stages of many fish where they can grow safely in warm, fertile water. Its designation as a Bass Nursery Area highlights its importance for bass. Fishing for bass from boats is banned between May and December inclusive. There is also a ban on using fixed nets there and a 37.5cm Minimum Landing Size (MLS) for bass (2009).

The information below is provided as a guideline only, particularly as there are numerous species, far too many to be listed here. We regret that we can not be held responsible for the accuracy of this information or for any changes in the legislation which may take place after the formulation of this text. Further information and advice may be obtained from Cornwall Sea Fisheries,

 

Note: There are numerous species (mainly bi-valve molluscs) for which minimum sizes exist that are not listed here. Fish should be measured from the tip of the nose to the furthest end of the tail.

Fish species

Shellfish species

 

Shellfish measuring Guides

The following diagrams show how to correctly measure shellfish to ensure compliance with all minimum size legislation. Please click on link or image to see measuring guide for each species.

 

Edible Crab

 

 

Shellfish measuring Gauge

A stainless steel gauge can be supplied to any fisherman holding a valid Cornwall Sea Fisheries shellfish permit.

 

Shellfish permit

An annually renewable permit is required for any person fishing from a boat and removing more than two animals from the species of lobster, crawfish, edible or spider crab.

Nets

A variety of mesh sizes are regulated for fixed and towed nets, depending on the species being targeted.For gill and other specified nets it is prohibited to use a mesh size between 71mm and 89mm.
The use of fixed nets with a headline set less than 3 metres from the surface is banned in numerous areas around the coast.
Any net less than 250 mm is banned from two defined areas around the Manacles and Runnelstone.

Lobsters and crawfish

It is prohibited to remove berried lobsters and crawfish.
V-notched lobsters and crawfish must be returned, plus any with a tail flap which is missing or mutilated, such that a v-notch could not be observed.

Shellfish boats

Fishing for shellfish (including scallops) with a vessel exceeding 16.46 metres overall length is prohibited, unless special permission has been granted by Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee (CSFC).

Trawling

Fishing with a trawl/towed net with a vessel exceeding 18.28 metres overall length or 221 kW engine power is prohibited, unless special permission has been granted by CSFC.

Cornwall Sea Fisheries District

The CSFC District is the sea within the six mile limit drawn from baselines (including Eddystone Rocks), with seaward boundaries at Marsland Mouth in the north and Rame Head in the south.

Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee

Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee, currently based in Penzance, is responsible for the statutory enforcement of fisheries legislation around Cornwall's coastline. Fisheries officers inspect vessels, catches and equipment both at sea and ashore to ensure compliance with local byelaws, national legislation and EU regulations. Further information and advice may be obtained from Cornwall Sea Fisheries, Old Bonded Warehouse, Quay Street, Penzance TR18 4BD, or telephone 01736 369817, or visit our website www.cornwall.gov.uk/seafisheries.

Information on this web site is correct at the time of publication (November 2009) and is intended for guidance only. It is not a statement of the Law which is subject to change.