Common whelk

With limited data for Common whelk and an absence of stock assessments within Devon and Severn IFCA district, there is concern for stock biomass. Annual catch has varied significantly over the last decade and with no sustainable limit defined there is concern for fishing pressure.Route 2 scoring has been applied to this rating owing to the lack of reference points for fishing pressure and biomass. There are no assessments of the resilience or vulnerability of this species. MCS considers common whelk to have low resilience to fishing pressure, based on several life history parameters. These are the species sedentary life history characteristics, a high larval mortality from urchin predation, occurrence of sub-populations in small spatial scales.The overall (global) increase in demand for common whelk correlates with the global fishery boom over the last decade. UK whelk populations are largely unknown and there have been anecdotal accounts of severely overexploited whelk stocks throughout the UK coastline. There is currently no formal stock assessment/s for whelks. In the absence of information there is concern for biomass.The only available data relating to fishing pressure is landings data. Landings data is not a good indicator of fishing mortality or biomass because it does not account for changes in fishing effort or catchability. In Devon and Severn IFCA district, annual whelk landings have fluctuated significantly since 2010 (highest 2,438 tonnes (2010), lowest 902 tonnes (2018)). In 2021, 1,003 tonnes were landed, slightly up from the previous year (916 tonnes, 2020), but a 37% decline from 2019 (1,598 tonnes). Annual landings fluctuations can be indicative of boom-and-bust fisheries. Whelk fisheries are often considered as boom-and-bust, where catches increase while demand is high until catch rates become less economically attractive. With no assessment of sustainable fishing limit, there is concern for fishing pressure in this area.

There are management measures in place, which are partly effective in managing the stock. Devon and Severn whelk fishery is data poor. The absence of sock assessments prevents the definition of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits and presents several challenges for whelk management. A Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS) of 65mm is in place for common whelk fished within Devon and Severn IFCA which provides some but not total protection to spawning stocks across the district. DSIFCA 2015 research determined whelk size at maturity (SOM - the size at which 50% of the population is sexually mature) between 76.4 (M) - 76.5 mm (F) in Ilfracombe (north coast) and between 69.3 (F) - 70.9 mm (M) in Exmouth (south coast). Consequently, it is highly likely whelks are being caught before they have had chance to reproduce throughout the north and south coast except in Start Bay, as SOM is smaller (~65mm) in this area (DSIFCA 2016 report). Whelk SOM is known to vary significantly in different areas around the UK, with temperature and depth being key factors. Whelk management measures, Devon and Severn IFCA district: Permits are required for the collection of whelks Vessels over 15.24 meters are not permitted Commercial (MoU and voluntary code in Lyme Bay Reserve of 500 pots, 30 per string) and recreational pot (5) limits Pots must be tagged and marked by a marker buoy above the surface of the sea Closed areas to whelk fishing: Knolls Pins area at Lundy Island, Lundy Island No Take Zone fishing is prohibited, and voluntary ‘Whelk box’ above Lundy Island. DSIFCA 2019 report identifies the district whelk breeding season between October and December. DSIFCA suggested a closed season during these months may be considered to protect spawning whelks. This consideration is encouraging but has not yet been enacted. If introduced this measure could support better management alongside an increased MCRS for whelk within the district. The Whelk Working Group (WWG) was formed in 2019, to facilitate the exchange of information between Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAS), government agencies, fisheries authorities, academics, researchers and others interested in whelk fisheries. WWG aims to help improve and develop the understanding of whelk and look at the advantages of joint working to develop appropriate management. WWG is comprised of representatives from organisations engaged in the provision of evidence, advice and management of the whelk fishery on a national level. The WWG offers encouraging opportunities for future growth of effective whelk management by working together to improve communication, collaboration and consistency. In the UK, the Fisheries Act only came into force in January 2021. The Act requires the development of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) (replacing EU Multi-Annual Plans). The Whelk in English Waters Fisheries Management Plan has a timetable for preparation and publication between 2021-2023. FMPs have the potential to be very important tools for managing UK fisheries. They will set out the policies to secure the long-term sustainability of our fish stocks for current and future generations and can include (data allowing): Targets for fishing pressure and biomass, with effective management to meet them; Timeframes for stock recovery; Use of technologies such as Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) to support data collection, improve transparency and accountability; Consideration of wider environmental impacts of the fishery.

Common whelks are caught in pots or creels, these are baited traps designed to attract and trap mobile species. Pots or creels have minimal impact on the surrounding environment but may result in damage to rocky reef habitat.Common whelk, are a marine benthic species, found on muddy sand, gravel or sometimes rock from the low water to depths of greater than 1000m. Whelks are active predators feeding on worms or bivalve molluscs.UK fishers use plastic drums, set in depths of 10-30m. One end is partially removed and covered with netting and the rest of the pot perforated with 2-3 cm holes. The pot usually has sand at the bottom to weigh it down. A large number of pots may be attached to a single string which is marked by a buoy at each end. The pots are baited with fish and shellfish in Devon and Severn IFCA and placed on the seabed to soak for 1-3 days before being hauled. A riddle is then used to filter catch, minimising bycatch whilst retaining large whelks.Bycatch species can be caught during fishing or if pots are lost (ghost fishing). Although, non-target species can usually escape creels after days or weeks especially if the pots include escape gaps for smaller animals. Invertebrates are understood to have high survival rates when discarded from pots or creels. There is potential for entanglement of endangered, threatened or protected (ETP) species from the ropes attached to the pots. The main species at risk are minke and humpback whales, basking sharks and leatherback turtles.Habitat impacts from potting are low but can occur during deployment, soak time or hauling of the pot, impacting the benthic habitat and associated species through contact with the pot or end weight, or by scouring from ropes. While some damage does occur, it is unlikely to be significant unless potting intensity is high (defined as approximately 30 pots per 500 square metres). Most damage occurs where traps are set in rocky habitats that are home to slow growing anchored species including soft corals, sponges and sea mats.

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