WIREDGOV

The most important wetland site in the UK, home to waterbirds such as redshank, oystercatcher and avocet, is back in good condition for the first time in a decade marking a major environmental achievement for World Wetland Day 2008, announced Natural England, Eastern Sea Fisheries Joint Committee (ESFJC) and Wash fishermen recently (Saturday 2 February).

Ten years ago over-fishing in the Wash reduced shell fish stocks to an all time low with disastrous consequences for waterbirds and the fishing industry. Major die-offs of oystercatcher were recorded during the 1990s, with thousands of birds being found dead. By 1997 the cockle fishery was forced to close through lack of stocks and harvesting of mussels from natural beds remained at an unprecedented low.

Natural England, Eastern Sea Fisheries Joint Committee (ESFJC) and other stakeholders took immediate action to protect the internationally important wildlife of the site. New Shellfish Management Policies developed by ESFJC to improve shellfish management and protect the natural environment were agreed last month by Natural England, ESFJC and the fishing industry.

Speaking about this turn of fortune for the Wash, Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England said: “The Wash is one of the most outstanding wetlands in Europe and of exceptional importance for it’s wildlife and biodiversity. Through working closely with the Wash fishermen and the ESFJC, sustainable management of Wash shellfisheries has been secured.”

“We will continue to work with the industry including fishermen and fisheries managers in other important sites to achieve similarly effective agreements. The Wash is an example of how, through partnerships, we can achieve a sustainable future for both the natural environment and the economy,” concluded Sir Martin.

Speaking about the agreement of the Policies, Mat Mander, Chief Fishery Officer for the Eastern Sea Fisheries Joint Committee, said: “The development of these Policies by the Joint Committee and their recent agreement is an important milestone for the industry, natural environment and local people. Our work is already making a positive impact, enabling Natural England to change the conservation status of many parts of the SSSI, which is fantastic news and a huge step towards where we want to be in the future.”

Shane Bagley of Boston Fishermen’s Association and Bob Garnett of King’s Lynn Fishing Industry Co-operative said: “Agreeing these policies is important as it has enabled the industry to have direct involvement in management of these fisheries upon which our livelihoods and also the wildlife of the site which we live and work side by side with, depends.”

Improving the condition of the Wash has taken 10 years of partnership working between Natural England, ESFJC and the fishing industry. This included: a series of scientific workshops; new research commissioned by Natural England and others to investigate factors inhibiting the site’s recovery; ESFJC made changes to management of the fisheries and introduced a quota to the cockle fishery in 1998. The recent agreement of the policies is testimony to the efforts made by all parties to bring about a massive turn-around in the health of the Wash.

Notes for editors:

For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk.
For images of the Wash visit: http://www.english-nature.org.uk/imagelibrary/searchresults.cfm?txtSearch=the+Wash&Thumbnail=Y. For a photograph of an oystercatcher, an avocet or a redshank please contact the press office.

1. The Wash is of exceptional importance to marine wildlife. It is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA), Ramsar site and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It also forms part of The Wash and North Norfolk Coast Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

2. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

3. Eastern Sea Fisheries Joint Committee is composed of 20 members consisting of four county councillors from Norfolk and three from Lincolnshire and Suffolk respectively. Nine additional representatives are appointed by Defra for their knowledge and experience in either fisheries or environmental matters. The Environment Agency appoints the final member.

4. ESFJC is an autonomous Local Authority in its own right but does not receive any funding from central government. Funding of the Joint Committee is provided by a direct levy upon its three constituent County Councils. The Joint Committee conducts its business at quarterly Statutory meetings and a number of specialised sub-committee meetings.

5. The collapse of the shellfish stocks led Natural England to classify nearly half of The Wash SSSI Intertidal mud and sandflats - the second largest area of this habitat in England - as in an ‘unfavourable declining’ condition.

6. In the last few years through taking an adaptive, co-management approach, the Shellfish Management Policies have been agreed.