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Publication - Independent report

Nature Conservation Advice from NatureScot and JNCC: Demersal Fisheries Management Plans

Published
20 November 2025
From
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, +2 more … Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Director of Marine
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Economy, Environment and climate change, Marine and fisheries, +1 more … Work and skills
ISBN
9781806431939

Nature conservation advice to support the development of UK Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs).

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Annex 2

Table A2 UK MS indicators and targets for D1, D4 Cetaceans
Descriptor Target 2019 Indicator North Sea Trend Celtic Seas Trend
D1; D4: CETACEANS (moderate) The long-term viability of cetacean populations is not threatened by incidental bycatch. Harbour porpoise bycatch - Marine online assessment tool (cefas.co.uk) Cetaceans - Marine online assessment tool (cefas.co.uk) GES Achieved Insufficient data to assess GES status unknown/uncertain Insufficient data to assess
There should be no significant decrease in abundance caused by human activities. Abundance and distribution of coastal bottlenose dolphins (OSPAR) Achieved stable/mixed GES status unknown/uncertain stable/mixed
Abundance and distribution of cetaceans other than coastal bottlenose dolphins (OSPAR) Partial stable/mixed GES status unknown/ uncertain stable/mixed
Population range is not significantly lower than the favourable reference value for the species. Abundance and distribution of coastal bottlenose dolphins (OSPAR) Achieved stable/mixed GES status unknown/ uncertain stable/mixed
Abundance and distribution of cetaceans other than coastal bottlenose dolphins (OSPAR) Partial stable/mixed GES status unknown/ uncertain stable/mixed
Table A3 UK MS indicators and targets for D1, D4 Seals
Descriptor Target 2019 Indicator North Sea Trend Celtic Seas Trend
D1; D4: SEALS (moderate) The long-term viability of seal populations is not threatened by incidental bycatch. Marine mammal bycatch (OSPAR) GES status unknown/ Uncertain Unknown GES status unknown/ uncertain Unknown
Population abundance and distribution are consistent with favourable conservation status. Grey seal abundance and distribution Achieved improving achieved improving
Harbour seal abundance and distribution Not achieved stable/mixed GES status unknown/ uncertain Unknown
Grey seal pup production does not decline substantially in the short or long-term. Grey seal pup production (OSPAR) Achieved improving achieved improving
Table A4 UK MS indicators and targets for D1, D4 Birds
Descriptor Target 2019 Indicator North Sea Trend Celtic Seas Trend
D1; D4: BIRDS (high) The long-term viability of marine bird populations is not threatened by deaths caused by incidental bycatch catch in mobile and static fishing gear. Seabird bycatch
The population size of species has not declined substantially since 1992 as a result of human activities. Marine bird abundance (OSPAR) Not achieved declining Not achieved declining
Widespread lack of breeding success in marine birds caused by human activities should occur in no more than three years in six. Marine bird breeding success/failure (OSPAR) Not achieved declining Partial declining
Kittiwake breeding success Not achieved declining Not assessed Unknown
There is no significant change or reduction in population distribution caused by human activities. Distribution of breeding and non-breeding marine birds Not assessed Unknown Not assessed Unknown
Invasive mammal presence on island seabird colonies Not assessed Unknown Not assessed Unknown
Table A5 UK MS indicators and targets for D1, D4 Fish
Descriptor Target 2019 Indicator North Sea Trend Celtic Seas Trend
D1; D4: FISH (high) Incidental bycatch is below levels which threaten long-term viability and recovery of fish populations. To include bycatch numbers of vulnerable species and catch rates per fishing fleet GES status unknown/ Uncertain Unknown GES status unknown/ Uncertain Unknown
The population abundance of sensitive species is not decreasing due to anthropogenic activities and long-term viability is ensured. Recovery in the population abundance of sensitive fish species (OSPAR) Not achieved stable/mixed Achieved stable/mixed
For fish species in the Habitats and Birds Directive population abundance and geographic distribution meets established favourable reference values. UK assessments of listed fish species Not achieved stable/mixed Achieved improving
For listed fish species, the area and the quality of the habitat is sufficient. GES status unknown/ Uncertain Unknown GES status unknown/ Uncertain Unknown
Table A6 UK MS indicators and targets for D3 Commercial Fish
Descriptor Target 2019 Indicator North Sea Trend Celtic Seas Trend
D3: COMMERCIAL FISH AND SHELLFISH (high) The Fishing mortality rate of populations of commercially exploited species is at or below levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yield. Commercial fishing pressure for stocks of UK interest. Partial Improving Partial Improving
The Spawning Stock Biomass of populations of commercially exploited species are above biomass levels capable of producing the maximum sustainable yield. Reproductive capacity of commercially exploited stocks of UK interest. Partial Improving Partial Improving
Table A7 UK MS indicators and targets for D4 Foodwebs
Descriptor Target 2019 Indicator North Sea Trend Celtic Seas Trend
D4: FOODWEBS (moderate) The species composition and relative abundance of representative feeding guilds are indicative of a healthy marine food web. Mean maximum length of fish (OSPAR). Not achieved Stable/mixed Not achieved Stable/mixed
Selected plankton lifeforms pairs (e.g., large vs small zooplankton) (OSPAR) GES status unknown/ Uncertain Unknown GES status unknown/ Uncertain Unknown
The balance of abundance between representative feeding guilds is indicative of a healthy marine food web. An indicator of biomass of predatory feeding guilds for fish is currently under development using current data. This could be expanded to seabirds and marine mammals. Not assessed Unknown Not assessed Unknown
The size structure of fish communities is indicative of a healthy marine food web. Fish community size structure: Typical Length (Tyl - OSPAR) and/or Large Fish Index (LFI - OSPAR) Not achieved Stable/mixed Partial Improving
Productivity of the representative feeding guilds, characterised by key species, is indicative of a healthy marine food web. D4C4s required information on multiple components (seabirds, marine mammals, fish and demersal habitat). Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
Table A8 UK MS indicators and targets for D1, D6 Seafloor integrity
Descriptor Target 2019 Indicator North Sea Trend Celtic Seas Trend
D1; D6: BENTHIC (high) The physical loss of each seabed habitat type caused by human activities is minimised and where possible reversed. Physical loss of predicted habitats Not achieved unknown Not achieved Unknown
The extent of habitat types adversely affected by physical disturbance caused by human activity should be minimised. Extent of Physical damage indicator to predominant and special habitats (OSPAR) Not achieved Unknown Not achieved Unknown
Benthic communities’ indicator (OSPAR) GES status unknown/ Uncertain Unknown GES status unknown/ Uncertain Unknown
Habitat loss of sensitive, fragile, or important habitats caused by human activities is prevented, and where feasible reversed. Physical loss of predicted habitats indicator (Extent of benthic habitat) Not achieved Unknown Not achieved Unknown
The extent of adverse effects caused by human activities on the condition, function and ecosystem processes of habitats is minimised. Benthic communities’ indicator (OSPAR) Not assessed Unknown Not assessed Unknown
Aggregated Infaunal Quality Index Not achieved Unknown Partial Unknown
Aggregated Saltmarsh Tool Not achieved Unknown Achieved Unknown
Aggregated Rocky Shore Macroalgal Index Achieved Unknown Achieved Unknown
Aggregated Intertidal Seagrass Tool Achieved Stable/mixed Achieved Stable/mixed
Intertidal rock community change indicator (MarClim) GES status unknown/ Uncertain Unknown GES status unknown/ Uncertain Unknown
Table A9 UK MS indicators and targets for D10 Marine Litter
Descriptor Target 2019 Indicator North Sea Trend Celtic Seas Trend
D10: MARINE LITTER (high) A decrease in the total amount of the most common categories of litter found on surveyed beaches Litter types on beaches Not achieved Declining Not achieved Declining

Contact

Email: FMPs@gov.scot

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