Proposed North Sea and Eastern Channel Whiting Fisheries Management Plan

Policies

As there is sufficient available evidence to assess MSY, the FMP must contain policies which at least contribute to restoring or maintaining the stock at MSY. In addition, in accordance with section 5.4 of the JFS, the design and structure of FMPs directly relate to the fisheries objectives identified in section 5.4.2 but may also address wider issues in fisheries management depending upon the specific goals or targets of each plan and may contribute to one or more of the remaining fisheries objectives.

To ensure effective management of the whiting fishery in UK waters of North Sea and Eastern Channel, the FMP identifies 6 policies focussed on domestic and international management priorities. These policies are subject to the consideration of the consultation and will be prioritised appropriately to ensure realistic and measurable outputs. They were drafted to meet the requirements of section 6(3)(a) of the 2020 Act (policies 1 and 2) and policies set out in the Joint Fisheries Statement (policies 3, 4, 5 and 6). For each policy, the plan sets out:

• a rationale;
• ongoing, short and longer term actions;
• how the actions support delivery of the fisheries objectives.

Each policy describes the outcome that is being worked towards, and the actions are intended to support the delivery of those outcomes.

Performance indicators for the FMP are addressed towards the end of this document.

The six policies of this FMP are to:

1. Harvest the North Sea and Eastern Channel whiting stock sustainably, with biomass maintained above the level capable of producing MSY.

2. Use the best-available scientific evidence to support management decisions relating to the setting of sustainable fishing opportunities;

3. Address discarding issues in the North Sea and Eastern Channel whiting fishery and ensure that where possible all catches are counted against quotas;

4. Deliver wider sustainable management by taking steps to minimise the impact of the North Sea and Eastern Channel whiting fishery on the marine ecosystem;.

5. Support fishing businesses to continue to deliver socio-economic and cultural benefits for communities;

6. Reduce the impact of fishing on climate change and support the fishing industry to adapt to the impacts of climate change.