North Sea Greater Silver Smelt Fisheries Management Plan
The North Sea greater silver smelt Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) is one of 43 FMPs set out in the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS).This FMP sets out the policies and actions to manage the greater silver smelt stocks in the North Sea at sustainable levels.
Why an FMP for North Sea Greater Silver Smelt?
Historically, the greater silver smelt (GSS) (Argentina silus, also known as greater Argentine) was fished for its high oil content, which made it valuable for fishmeal production. In the North Sea (ICES Division 3.a and Subarea 4) GSS is a bycatch in fisheries and a targeted fishery is primarily conducted by licensed Norwegian midwater and bottom trawlers in Division 2.a. In addition to the target fisheries in Division 2.a, trawl fisheries for other species along the Norwegian Deep in Division 4.a (northern North Sea) result in variable but sometimes significant landed bycatch of GSS. Based on available data, these are dominated by Norwegian catches in Norwegian waters from 2006 and onwards.
GSS is jointly managed by the UK and EU. Although this is not a fishery of direct commercial interest to the UK currently, the UK has a wider interest in the stock as a bycatch in other fisheries, and as a part of the North Sea ecosystem.
Contact
Email: fmps@gov.scot