Common whelk

With limited data for Common whelk and an absence of stock assessments within Eastern IFCA district, there is concern for stock biomass. In recent years annual whelk catch has been on a general decline, therefore there is no 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. It is noted that concerns have been raised by Eastern IFCA, and other districts, over excess whelk mortality in 2022, due to increased temperatures that year. There is currently no formal stock assessment/s for whelks. In the absence of information there is concern for biomass.Eastern IFCA whelk landings have been on a general decline since 2019 (peaking at 1,005 tonnes) after a boom in the fishery post-2015 (39 tonnes). In 2022, 670 tonnes were landed, an increase on 527 tonnes in 2021 and 562 tonnes in 2020. With a general reduction in catch since 2019, there is no concern for fishing pressure.Eastern IFCA monitors Landings Per Unit of Effort (LPUE) across 12 whelk areas. Recent LPUE analysis shows some fluctuation, but is reportedly related to fishery variabilities (i.e., a small whelk fleet, and associated behavioural changes; whelk seasonality). The average Kg of whelk per pot displayed a decline from 2019 to 2020 (after an unusual spike in activity). Month-on-month comparisons between 2023 and 2022 (January to May) show slightly lower LPUE, barring January, but LPUE has maintained above 2kg/pot. Furthermore, LPUE remains above 2015/16 levels, suggesting this is a case of fluctuation, rather than steady decline. CPUE or LPUE is often used as a proxy for abundance. The relatively stable LPUE in EIFCA district could suggest relatively stable whelk populations that are not being depleted by fishing effort, although this cannot be verified without stock assessments. Reduced LPUE could be indicative of a fishery exceeding sustainable limits.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.Eastern 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 55mm is in place for common whelk fished within Eastern IFCA which provides some but not total protection to spawning stocks, as whelks generally reach sexual maturity >62.7mm in English inshore regions. Research conducted by Eastern IFCA identified SOM greater than the MCRS in some areas within the district (Lowestoft (57mm) and Sea Palling (63mm), Suffolk (data deficient)) and at or below the MCRS in The Wash (55mm) and Southwold (50mm). Consequently, it is highly likely whelks are being caught before they have had chance to reproduce. Whelk size at maturity (SOM - the size at which 50% of the population is sexually mature) is known to vary significantly in different areas around the UK, with temperature and depth being key factors.Whelk management measures, Eastern IFCA district:Permits are required for the collection of whelks (Whelk Permit)Commercial pot limit (500, at a maximum capacity of 30 litres each)Recreational pot (5) limitPots must have a minimum of 2 escape holes, equal to or >24mm diameter, which must be positioned at least 150mm from the base and 50mm from the top.Pots must be tagged and marked by a marker buoy above the surface of the seaFishers must submit monthly catch returns, detailing fishing area, weight of catch, and types of fishing gear usedMonitoring is the foundation for good management. Eastern IFCA has divided the district into 12 whelk fishery areas and monitors trends in each, but it is unclear whether this affects management measures. 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 (edible crab prohibited in Eastern IFCA) and placed on the seabed to soak for 1-3 days before being hauled. A riddle with a minimum bar spacing of 24mm 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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