River Derwent Rod Fishery Byelaw Review
Results updated 4 Jan 2024
The Cumbrian River Derwent Rod Fishery Byelaw, as proposed by the Environment Agency, has now been approved by Government for a period of 10 years. The statement of support which outlines our final proposal submitted to government via Defra in 2023 is included at the link below. Approval of the byelaws by government means that if you fish for salmon and sea trout in the Cumbrian River Derwent catchment, you must adhere to the following restrictions:
- All salmon must be returned alive to the river in which they were caught, with the least possible injury and without undue delay.
- All hooks used for salmon and sea trout angling must be barbless or de-barbed. De-barbed means fully removing or fully crushing the barb.
- All use of bait (such as worms) for salmon and sea trout angling is prohibited, with the exception of shrimp or prawn.
- Lures (such as Flying C’s and Tobys) must only be fished with one single barbless or de-barbed hook. The hook must not exceed 13mm in gape.
- Plug type lures can be fished with up to three separate single barbless or de-barbed hooks, none of which can exceed 13mm in gape
- Artificial fly, or shrimp and prawn bait can be fished with single, double or treble hooks. Single and double hooks must not exceed 13mm in individual hook gape, treble hooks must not exceed 7mm in individual hook gape. All must be barbless or de-barbed.
- Artificial fly or shrimp and prawn bait can be fished with multiple hooks, up to four hook points in total. All must be barbless or de-barbed and meet size restrictions as above”
Statement of Support - Derwent Rod Fishery Byelaw Review 2022
The document at the link below sets out our responses to the representations we have received for this consultation. It also sets out our recommendations to Defra.
Derwent Rod Fishery Byelaw Review 2022 - Response to Representations
Overview
We are consulting on the proposed new regulations that are designed to protect the River Derwent salmon and sea trout stocks.
Previous time-limited regulations for salmon fishing on the River Derwent expire in July 2023 and need to be replaced. The River Derwent salmon population in particular is in need of more protection than previously.
We think that this consultation will be of particular interest to anyone who fishes for salmon and sea trout on the River Derwent. This includes anglers, local residents and businesses, recreational and commercial river users, charities, statutory organisations and members of the public.
Once the consultation has closed, we will review all the consultation comments and then make our recommendation to the Defra Secretary of State on the byelaws. The Secretary of State will make the final decision. We will publish our recommendation and the Secretary of State's final decision on Citizen Space.
Why your views matter
Previous time-limited regulations for salmon and sea trout on the River Derwent expire in July 2023, and need to be replaced. Given the declining status of salmon stocks, we are recommending more restrictive fishing byelaws to help improve stocks.
We want to hear your thoughts, comments and opinions on the River Derwent salmon and sea trout assessments and proposed new regulations.
Consultation documents, including the proposed new byelaws:
Cumbrian River Derwent Rod Fishery Byelaw Review 2022 - Technical Case
What happens next
This consultation is closed and we are now reviewing the comments we have recieved.
We will publish a consultation response document on this web page within 12 weeks of the close of this consultation. This will group similar comments together and set our response to them.
It will also set out our final recommendation on the byelaws to the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
We will email you to inform you when we have published this document if you have asked us to do so in the survey section of this consultation.
We will publish the Secretary of State's decision on this page.
Audiences
- Recreational and commercial river users
- Fishing clubs and representative associations
- Members of the public with an interest in the river, the species and conservation
- Businesses
- Charities
- Statutory organisations
- Members of the public
- Elected representatives, including MPs
- Net fishing license holders
- River based salmon angling owners/fishing clubs/organisations
- Individual migratory salmonid licence holders
- Business that buy salmon/supported by salmon net and rod fishing
- Angling trade contacts
- National based fishery, conservation and landowner organisations
- Land owners
- Members of the public
- Environment Agency colleagues
Interests
- Business and industry
- Fishing and boating
- Habitats and wildlife
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook