Proposed North Sea and Eastern Channel Whiting Fisheries Management Plan
The North Sea and Eastern Channel whiting FMP is one of 43 UK FMPs set out in the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS). It sets out the policies and actions to continue to maintain the relevant stock at sustainable levels providing positive socio-economic benefits to the UK.
Stock Assessment and MSY
Scientific advice
The following evidence has been collated from the most recent ICES assessment working group report (ICES 2024)[8] and the associated ICES stock annex.[9]
As set out in Section 3.2 of the JFS, the UK takes an evidence-based approach to fisheries management, making use of the best available scientific evidence. For the purpose of stock management and TAC setting, this tends to focus on the use of advice produced by ICES, although other sources of information, including data from the fishing industry, may also be used.
ICES provides annual advice for North Sea and Eastern Channel whiting. ICES advice is organised according to categories, ranging from 1 (the most information available) to 6 (the least). North Sea and Eastern Channel whiting is a Category 1 stock which means that it is considered to have full age- and size-structured data on which to base an assessment, and that MSY reference points are available to provide a framework for management action.
The most recent benchmark for this stock was conducted in January 2018 (WKNSEA; ICES, 2018),followed by an inter-benchmark in 2021 (ICES, 2021), and revised in 2022 (ICES, 2022) and 2024 (ICES, 2024a). A full benchmark is unlikely to be considered by ICES until 2026 at the earliest.
Benchmark exercises are a tool used by ICES to peer-review and incorporate new science or evidence into the stock assessment process. They are part of the process which ensures that ICES advice is based on the best available scientific evidence.
Assessment of evidence
As set out above, North Sea and Eastern Channel whiting is a stock that has a high level of data available. On this basis, there is sufficient available scientific evidence for the relevant fisheries policy authorities to make annual MSY assessments of the North Sea and Eastern Channel whiting stock.
The North Sea and Eastern Channel whiting stock is currently being fished sustainably within MSY limits. As of 2024 (which is the date of the latest ICES advice used to inform this FMP), SSB has been relatively stable after the historical low in the late 2000s and fluctuating between Blim and the MSY Btrigger. Following good recruitment in recent years, the SSB has increased sharply and is now well above the MSY Btrigger. Fishing pressure has been below FMSY since 2000 and catch limits have been set in line with ICES advice in recent years (2024).
Contact
Email: FMPs@gov.scot