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

Background: Fisheries Management Plans

Why are we publishing FMPs?

The Act sets out the legal framework to manage fisheries in the UK, including the provision to prepare and publish FMPs. FMPs are intended to support the protection of fish stocks and, where necessary, the recovery of fish stocks, which in turn will support a sustainable fishing industry and safeguard the environment.

What are FMPs?

FMPs are documents prepared and published under the Act that set out policies designed or restore or maintain relevant stocks of seafish at sustainable levels. They are evidence-based action plans that support delivery of sustainable fisheries for current and future generations. The FMPs are long-term plans that must be reviewed and, if necessary, revised at least once every six years. They set out both a vision for the fishery (or fisheries), together with the policies and the actions necessary to achieve this vision. Where appropriate, FMPs may identify actions to address wider issues identified during their development such as environmental, social and economic considerations.

How FMPs work

The management of fisheries is a devolved competency, currently managed through regulation, byelaws, licence conditions and voluntary measures. FMPs may lead to changes to these management measures.

National Fisheries Authorities (in this case Scottish Government, Defra, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), DAERA and the Welsh Government) are legally required to act in accordance with the policies set out in the plan and will work with a range of organisations and relevant stakeholders on implementation of the actions contained within the plans.

FMPs identify a range of policies and actions. Plans are intended to be adaptive and develop over time as further evidence is gathered, and measures are implemented. Whilst each FMP focuses on specific stock(s), they will often need to be considered in a holistic manner, particularly where there are strong stock interactions and connections between different fisheries.

Under section 8(1) of the Act, as well as the six year (or sooner if required) review of FMPs, an FMP can also be replaced or amended at any time following a consultation allowing the plan to be kept up to date.

FMP actions are intended to be implemented over their lifetime to have an impact on how fisheries are managed. It may therefore take some time to show benefits in terms of improving the sustainability of stocks and fisheries.

FMPs and other Coastal States

The FMPs provide a long-term framework for managing fishing activity, with the policies and actions focused on ensuring stock sustainability and a healthy marine environment through a continuation of the current management approach and, where needed, delivering appropriate improvements. As part of this, international fisheries negotiations are one of the tools that support management, maintenance and restoration of fish stocks. The policies and actions within the FMPs reflect and respect the international management arrangements that are in place for each of the relevant FMPs covered by this consultation.

The UK, whilst having regulatory autonomy over its fisheries, is committed to working with other Coastal States to ensure sustainable management of shared fisheries resources – and to continuing to build our strong and positive working relationships. Through annual consultations with the EU and other coastal States, as well as negotiations in multilateral and bilateral forums, the UK aims to achieve, or contribute to the achievement of, the objectives in the Act.

Regulatory measures to implement FMPs will apply to all vessels fishing in relevant UK waters. The UK will notify the EU and other coastal States of any changes affecting EU vessels.

Approach to the development of the FMPs

Developed in a collaborative and transparent way, our aim is to ensure that FMPs are relevant to the fishery or fisheries in question and support a practical and flexible approach to fisheries management tailored to species, locations, and fishing activities.

FMPs are being developed across the UK in different ways, allowing us to try new approaches and test how best to develop the plans and engage with stakeholders.

We have learned valuable lessons from the development of Defra’s frontrunner FMPs in 2023 and applied these to this consultation.