West of Scotland Greater Silver Smelt Fisheries Management Plan

Summary

The West of Scotland greater silver smelt Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) is one of 43 FMPs set out in the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS). It has been developed by the Scottish Government and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) with input from industry, scientists, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs).

This FMP sets out the policies and actions to manage the West of Scotland greater silver smelt (GSS) stocks at sustainable levels, ensuring that they can continue to play a key ecological role as both a predator and prey in the marine food web , whilst also setting out a number of actions to improve management where this is needed.

Historically, West of Scotland GSS (Argentina silus, also known as greater Argentines) were fished for their high oil content, which made them valuable for fishmeal production. The fishery for West of Scotland GSS is largely undertaken by non-UK vessels and is based in ICES Division 5.b and 6a, where the species is caught as part of an industrial targeted fishery by EU vessels. Whilst the direct interest for UK vessels in West of Scotland GSS landings is currently negligible, this FMP sets out actions that support the continued sustainable exploitation of the species.

West of Scotland GSS is jointly managed by the UK and EU. Although this is not a fishery of direct commercial interest to the UK currently, the UK has a wider interest in the stock as a bycatch in other fisheries, and as a part of the marine ecosystem.

There is sufficient evidence is available for the relevant fisheries policy authorities to make an annual assessment of MSY, and GSS is currently fished within sustainable limits.

This FMP therefore describes a vision with policies and actions which set out how management can continue to support an MSY approach for the West of Scotland GSS fishery, and highlights areas that could lead to refinements of management approaches in the future. Areas for action include those which support the wider delivery of policies within the JFS and which contribute to the delivery of the objectives contained within the 2020 Act.