WORKSTREAM WORK/OUTPUTS
STATUS
COMMENT
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Lobster and brown crab data collection through onboard observer surveys, quayside, and wholesaler sampling.
Latest Stock Status Reports:
COMPLETE
LOBSTER
CRAB
RESEARCH NIFCA survey work has been split into several workstreams, please see the NIFCA Annual Research Plan 2025-26 for a more detailed breakdown and explanation of the research planned. The table (left) provides information on the work through 2025-26 the team have carried out in relation to each of the workstreams in the plan. The team have continued with biometric surveys for lobster and crab which continues the dataset started in 2012 to collect important information about these key commercial species. This data collection, along with the catch and effort data received from permit returns, has allowed NIFCA to analyse the local stock status using key indicators such as landings per unit effort, length frequency, and abundance of size classes over time to detect changes in the local populations. Details of where to find the latest stock status reports are available in the table. This year NIFCA have continued the v-notching scheme. With the support of local industry, NIFCA purchased, v-notched and released 1,217 lobsters. While v-notched (a visible ‘V’ shape cut into one of the tail flaps) a lobster cannot be landed, they can go through at least one breeding cycle before the v grows out contributing to future generations of lobsters. The team carried out an inshore Nephrops burrow count survey to compliment the offshore survey carried out by Cefas in the Farne Deeps. The work has developed over the past three years to improve inshore data on Nephrops abundance. The team also carried out a trawl gear trial to test semi-pelagic otter board in the inshore trawl fishery to test the viability of this gear and whether it could reduce benthic impact and reduce fuel consumption. Trials continued in 2026-27 when results will be available. Other monitoring work (left) builds long term data sets to facilitate monitoring of inshore fisheries in Northumberland to support decision making. Further work has sustained important relationships with the local fishing industry, recreational sector and partners.
HERE
COMPLETE
V-notching scheme
Report available
CRUSTACEA
Nephrops monitoring surveys trial
HERE
COMPLETE
Report available
Semi pelagic otter board gear trial
Phase 1 of trial completed, phase 2 completed in June 2026
ONGOING
Intertidal / periwinkle survey
COMPLETE
HERE
Report available
Mussel surveys adapted in 2024 & continued in 2025 to remove requirement to collect samples due to
Reports available: Blyth Lindisfarne
HERE
MOLLUSC
COMPLETE
low numbers of mussels present
HERE
Monitor adherence to Codes of Conduct
Intertidal patrols have been carried out throughout the year
ONGOING
Aln Estuary UAV survey for crab tiles/tyres
Resource limited in 2025-26, surveys planned for 2026-27
NOT COMPLETE
ANGLING BAIT COLLECTION HAND GATHERING FINFISH
There were 318 records of intertidal activity made throughout the year
Monitoring intertidal activity
COMPLETE
Work under Recreational Sea Angling strategy
HERE
COMPLETE
Strategy available
HERE
COMPLETE
Aln Estuary Fish survey
Report available
Collect at-sea sightings data
377 records of at-sea fishing activity made through the year
COMPLETE
Build understanding of the uses of iVMS data
GENERAL
NOT COMPLETE
iVMS dataset not complete
Develop comms with fishing industry – Fisher Forums
COMPLETE
12 Fisher Forums held this year
Data continuously collected on St Aidan patrols
Collect multibeam data throughout district
HABITAT
COMPLETE
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