Consultation on Proposed Pelagic Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs)

Status of the stocks covered by the pelagic FMPs

The health of sea fish stocks can change over time, and ICES provides new advice on an annual basis for most stocks. The fisheries policy authorities review stocks annually and, as the majority of pelagic stocks are jointly managed, the approach to setting overall fishing opportunities are determined through international negotiation and through the sustainability objective in the Act.

Different pelagic stocks are subject to different management measures in different areas of the sea by individual coastal States, so we will endeavour to work in cooperation to jointly deliver sustainable management and catching opportunities for these stocks.

ICES advice is organised according to categories, ranging from 1 (the most information available) to 6 (the least). The list below is based on the ICES assessment framework available at the point of drafting the FMPs:

1. North Sea herring - Category 1*

2. West Coast of Scotland (and Clyde) herring - WoS herring is a Category 3 ** ; for the Clyde herring, there is no ICES advice produced, and no MSY reference points available.

3. Atlanto Scandian herring – Category 1*

4. Northern Shelf mackerel – Category 1***

5. Northern Shelf blue whiting - Category 1 ***

(*) 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, fishing pressure is above Fishing Mortality Maximum Sustainable Yield (FMSY) and the stock is not currently being fished within MSY constraints. This is largely due to the lack of quota sharing arrangements across the relevant international fishing parties.

It is important to note that these FMPs are produced with the available evidence at the time. 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.

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. The decision to review earlier will be taken by the fisheries policy authorities.