Herring in the Firth of Clyde: recommending the total allowable catch for 2025: Consultation

3. Monitoring and Data collection

3.1 Data collection

As noted above, current knowledge of the Clyde herring stock is uncertain. This is reflected in the TACs recommended for the stock, however in reality the TAC has not been a limiting factor in recent years (2011-24 – see Table 1) due to very low uptake of the quota. As described in section 5, if catches are taken, vessels are required to provide acoustic, GPS, and haul by haul data, as well as samples for analysis. However, since nominal catch has been taken in recent years, this data has not been received.

The central challenge presented is determining and recommending a management approach which is precautionary, reflects the data we do have available, and allows for further evidence gathering, without disproportionately or arbitrarily reducing the quota available to potential fishers.

3.2 Request for additional data

Within the 2023 and 2024 consultations on the TAC for Clyde herring, the Marine Directorate requested any relevant additional data that fishers, research organisations, universities or other stakeholders may hold on this stock. Unfortunately, no additional data was received through these data calls.

Despite this, the Marine Directorate still recognise the value in continuing to request that fishers, research organisations, universities or other stakeholders share with the Marine Directorate any relevant additional data may hold on this stock. Consideration will be given to any data which:

• Is verified numerical data.
• Records some or all biological measurements such as fish weights, lengths, ages, and maturities.

Examples may include herring surveys, herring sampling data, fishers’ logbook data (detailing catch, location, reported landings).

Please submit any data to mss.fisheries.advice@gov.scot and Campbell Pert (Campbell.Pert@gov.scot) by 31 December 2025, to allow for consideration during 2026.

3.3 Future monitoring

Additionally, to address this challenge, we intend to engage with stakeholders later in the summer to discuss future management of the stock, for 2026 onwards, which will include the option of recommending moving the Clyde herring TAC into a monitoring TAC for 2026. This would mean that quota is not automatically allocated to Producer Organisations or vessels, but that quota may be allocated upon request, and along with associated licence derogations, in order to allow for evidence gathering. The Marine Directorate would still recommend a TAC for the stock, and this would continue to act as a ceiling for catches, but actual use of the quota would depend on case-by-case consideration. The aim of this approach would be to put more focus on science, leading to longer term improvements in our understanding of stock dynamics. This may in turn mean that we are able to review and refine the management measures in place for the stock.

This approach has been used in the past across a number of different stocks. For example, from 2016-22 the quota for West of Scotland herring was not allocated but was used to facilitate surveys of the stock. More recently, from 2024-25, catches of small-eyed ray in area 7e were restricted to vessels participating in sentinel fishery monitoring programmes for the stock.

In considering this as a possible way forward for Clyde herring, we wish to fully discuss practicalities, objectives, and exit strategies with all interested stakeholders. Officials will reach out in due course, and if you would like to be included in these discussions, please indicate this in your consultation response, and/or email clydeherring@gov.scot.Officals will also engage with other UK Fishing Authorities on the discussions and options under consideration.