Consultation on the 11 Proposed Joint UK Fisheries Management Plans for Demersal Fish Stocks

Joint UK Fisheries Management Plans for demersal fish stocks

The Act requires the relevant authority or authorities to prepare and publish FMPs in accordance with the list and timetable included in the JFS. The Scottish Government is the coordinating authority for 11 demersal FMPs and has coordinated the preparation of these plans on behalf of the other relevant authorities.^[1]

The relevant authorities for this grouping of FMPs are the Scottish Government, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh Government. The plans have been prepared and published jointly by the relevant authorities for the purposes of the Act.

This Consultation document invites views on the following demersal FMPs:

• North Sea and West Coast of Scotland Haddock FMP, hereafter referred to as ‘Northern Shelf’ Haddock FMP
• Atlantic haddock FMP
• North Sea and Eastern Channel Whiting FMP
• West Coast of Scotland Whiting FMP
• North Sea and West Coast of Scotland Monk/Anglerfish FMP, hereafter referred to as ‘Northern Shelf Anglerfish FMP’
• North Sea and West Coast of Scotland Megrim FMP, hereafter referred to as ‘Northern Shelf Megrim FMP’
• North Sea and West Coast of Scotland Saithe FMP
• Northern Shelf Hake
• Northern Shelf Ling FMP
• Atlantic Cod FMP
• Northern Shelf Cod FMP

A partial business regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) has also been developed, which describes the anticipated economic impact of the FMPs on the fishing sector and associated businesses. We would welcome additional economic evidence to update our assessment.

An Environmental Report which describes the likely environmental impacts of implementing the policies and actions in the 11 demersal FMPs, has been produced, as required under the Environmental Assessment of plans and programmes Regulations 2004.

This consultation is particularly relevant to:

• Individuals, groups, or businesses who are engaged in the fishing, seafood, or aquaculture sectors, including individuals, groups or businesses from the UK or from outside the UK who fish in UK waters,
• Other individuals, groups or businesses who are sea users, for example, marine industries such as offshore renewables and sailing bodies, and
• National and local interest groups such as environmental and recreational non-governmental organisations, and industry federations.