Proposed West Coast of Scotland Nephrops and North Sea Nephrops: Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) - consultation

UK Fisheries Management Plans for Nephrops

This consultation document invites views on the following Nephrops FMPs:

• Proposed North Sea Nephrops FMP; and
• Proposed West Coast of Scotland Nephrops 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 two Nephrops FMPs and has coordinated the preparation of these plans on behalf of the other relevant authorities.^[1]

The relevant authorities for the two Nephrops FMPs which are subject of this consultation, are the Scottish Government, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). The plans have been prepared in collaboration with the Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish) 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].

Alongside these requirements, FMPs seek to support a range of other existing environmental policies that focus on, enhancing the health of our seas for future generations, restoring marine biodiversity, and tackling the causes and impacts of climate change.

To support the development of policies aimed at protecting the natural environment, SNCBs provided conservation advice for the North Sea Nephrops and the West Coast of Scotland Nephrops FMPs. The advice encompasses English, Northern Irish and Scottish waters where Nephrops stocks are targeted.

An Environmental Report which describes the likely environmental impacts of implementing the policies and actions in the two Nephrops 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.