Common whelk

With limited data for Common whelk and an absence of stock assessments within Kent and Essex IFCA district, there is concern for stock biomass. Annual catch has declined but CPUE has reduced in the main areas fished, and with no sustainable limit defined there is concern for fishing pressure in the area. 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. Since the fishery established in the district in 2013 annual catch has varied between ~1000 and ~400 tonnes. Annual landings have been declining since 2018, ~430 tonnes of whelk were landed in 2022 the lowest recorded level in the last decade. Catch Per Unit of Effort (CPUE) data shows an overall decline across the district and a recent decline in the main whelk fishing areas (2 and 4). Most notably in area 2, down from ~3.1 in 2020 to ~1.6 whelks per pot in 2022. Over the past 10 years, whelk landings have consistently been highest in fishing areas 2 and 4; accounting for between 51-67% and 18-39% respectively of the district’s total annual catch. CPUE or LPUE is often used as a proxy for abundance. Observations of reduced Catch Per Unit Effort (kg of whelks per pot), or LPUE, could be indicative of a fishery exceeding sustainable limits. With no assessment of a sustainable fishing limit, there is concern for fishing pressure.  Whelk fisheries are often considered as boom-and-bust, where catches increase while demand is high until catch rates become less economically attractive.

There are management measures in place, which are partly effective in managing the stock. Kent and Essex 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 53mm is in place for common whelk fished within Kent and Essex IFCA which provides some but not total protection spawning stocks across the district. KEIFCA most recent study determined whelk size at maturity (SOM - the size at which 50% of the population is sexually mature) to be 44.2 mm in Essex and 56 mm in Kent. Consequently, it is highly likely whelks are being caught before they have had chance to reproduce in the areas (2 and 4 within Kent) of the district where whelk fishing is most prevalent. Whelk SOM is known to vary significantly in different areas around the UK, with temperature and depth being key factors. Whelk management measures, Kent and Essex IFCA district: Permits are required for the collection of whelks Fishing effort restricted to 300 pots per vessel, which must be tagged Recreational pot (10) limit Pots must have 2 escape gaps Pots must be marked by a marker buoy above the surface of the sea Fishers must submit monthly catch returns, detailing fishing area, weight of catch, and types of fishing gear used 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 edible crab or dogfish in Kent and Essex IFCA and placed on the seabed to soak for 1-3 days before being hauled. A riddle with a minimum bar spacing of 25mm or greater is 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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