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

Summary of the Scottish-led demersal FMPs

All of our fish stocks are complex to manage. The vision for all 43 UK FMPs is that the fisheries they cover are managed sustainably, to help ensure that stocks are maintained above biomass levels capable of producing MSY and highlights areas that could lead to refinements to management approaches in the future.

The 11 joint UK demersal FMPs which are subject to this Consultation have been developed within the wider context of the Marine Plans in place in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales (applies to Northern Shelf Hake FMP only). Consideration will also be given to the objectives and principles outlined in the TCA when considering measures. It should also be noted that all demersal stocks covered by these FMPs are jointly managed, and therefore overall fishing opportunities are determined through international negotiation. These stocks are also subject to different management measures in different areas of the sea by individual coastal States.

The health of fish stocks can change over time, and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) provides new advice on an annual basis for most stocks. The fisheries policy authorities review stocks annually, and the approach to setting fishing opportunities takes account of the principles laid out in the relevant multiannual plans (MAPs), and the sustainability objective within the Act. It is, therefore, important to note that these FMPs are produced at a point in time and based on the evidence that was available at that point. As far as possible, the management approach set out in the draft FMPs provides flexibility for fisheries managers to adapt to changing circumstances. Should ICES advice significantly change, or other material circumstances change, following the publication of the draft FMPs within this consultation, steps will be taken as needed to adjust the FMPs prior to final publication.

Most demersal FMPs included in this Consultation are classed as Category 1 stocks under the ICES assessment framework (stocks with quantitative assessments), some stocks qualify as Category 2 (stocks with analytical assessments and forecasts that are only treated qualitatively, such as Northern Shelf megrim in area 6.b), Category 3 (stocks for which survey-based assessments indicate trends, such as Northern Shelf ling) and Category 6 (negligible landings stocks and stocks caught as minor amounts as bycatch, such as Atlantic cod).This means that the evidence base supporting the management of the relevant fisheries can vary on a stock by stock basis.

For some stocks which are not currently being fished at sustainable levels, actions are set out to improve the management approach and restore these to sustainable levels. It is important to recognise that many of the stocks covered by this set of FMPs are being managed at sustainable levels (see section on status of stocks below) and, as a result, the actions contained within the plans for these specific stocks are intended to maintain this position.

In most cases, individual actions within the FMPs will directly link to one or more of the fisheries objectives in the Act. FMPs are one of the tools that support the achievement of the fisheries objectives, although they are not the only policy vehicle available to do this.

The fisheries policy authorities have also considered conservation advice received from the SNCBs and included the outputs from that work in considering where policy action may be needed.

Status of the stocks covered by the 11 joint UK demersal FMPs

The list below is based on the ICES assessment framework available at the point of drafting the FMPs:

• Northern Shelf haddock – Category 1*
• Atlantic (Rockall) haddock – Category 1*
• North Sea and Eastern Channel whiting – Category 1*
• West Coast of Scotland whiting – Category 1*
• Northern Shelf anglerfish – Category 1*
• Northern Shelf megrim – Category 1* and Category 2* (only in area 6.b)
• North Sea and West Coast of Scotland saithe – Category 1*
• Northern Shelf hake – Category 1*
• Northern Shelf ling – Category 3 **
• Atlantic (Rockall cod) – Category 6 **
• Norther Shelf cod – Category 1 but with complex stock structure ***

(*) The stock has a high level of data available and there is sufficient available scientific evidence for the relevant fisheries policy authorities to make annual MSY assessments for this stock. This includes stocks with quantitative (Category 1) or qualitative (Category 2) assessments.

(**) The relevant fisheries policy authorities do not have sufficient evidence to make an assessment of MSY reference points for the stock, although the advice and management approach follows the ICES framework for Category 3 (stocks for which survey-based assessments indicate trends) or Category 6 (negligible landings stocks and stocks caught as minor amounts as bycatch).

(***) The relevant stock has a high level of data available; however, the stock structure remains complex and the management of the stock is challenging.