Consultation on Proposed Pelagic Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs)

Joint UK Fisheries Management Plans for pelagic fish stocks

This consultation document invites views on the following pelagic FMPs:

• Proposed North Sea herring FMP
• Proposed West Coast of Scotland (and Clyde) herring FMP
• Proposed Atlanto Scandian herring FMP
• Proposed Northern Shelf mackerel FMP
• Proposed Northern Shelf blue whiting FMP

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 these five pelagic FMPs and has coordinated the preparation of these plans on behalf of the other relevant authorities.^[1]

The relevant authorities for the five pelagic FMPs which are subject of this consultation varies according to the specific plan but includes the Scottish Government, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh Government. The plans have been prepared with input from industry, scientists, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCB) and published jointly by the relevant authorities for the purposes of the Act.

In addition to the requirements of the Act, FMPs are subject to legal duties and requirements relating to the protection of the natural environment arising from legislation such as the Habitats Regulations^[2], the Marine Strategy Regulations 2010^[3], and the UK Marine Policy Statement^[4], the Environment Act 2021^[5], the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009^[6], and the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010^[7].

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

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

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.