North Sea Horse Mackerel Fisheries Management Plan

Scope

Western horse mackerel is covered by a single biological stock in ICES areas 8, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5b, 6a, 7a-c, and 7e-k (Northeast Atlantic and adjacent waters), referred to in this document as Western horse mackerel. The horse mackerel TAC management unit (JAX/2A-14^[3]) is relevant to the FMP area. It covers a wider geographic area than the biological stock unit, including UK and EU waters of 4a; 6, 7a-c, e-k; 8a-b, d-e; UK waters of 2a; UK and international waters of 5b; international waters of 12 and 14.

Horse mackerel in the southern and central part of the North Sea (divisions 4.b-c) and the eastern channel (Division 7.d) is a distinct biological stock, known as the southern and central North Sea (SCNS) and eastern Channel horse mackerel stock.

Both biological stocks are within scope of this FMP. However, they are managed separately and are subject to distinct ICES scientific advice, as well as separate TACs and associated management measures. There is a directed, commercially important fishery in division 4a, in contrast to divisions 4.b-c and 7d, where the fishery is currently limited to bycatch due to the low biomass of the stock.

The 2020 Act requires the relevant authority, or authorities, to prepare and publish FMPs in accordance with the list and timetable included in the JFS.^[4] The relevant authorities for this FMP are the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Scottish Government.^[5] The plan has been prepared and published jointly by them for the purposes of the 2020 Act. As the coordinating authority, the Scottish Government has coordinated the preparation and management of this plan on behalf of the other relevant authorities.^[6]