Proposed North Sea and West of Scotland Megrim Fisheries Management Plan
The North Sea and West Coast of Scotland megrim 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.
Footnotes
1 An explanation of a MSY approach to fishing is provided in Advice published by ICES
2 UK Government (2022) Joint Fisheries Statement. The updated timetables are set out in the updated Annex A (amended December 2024)
3 The definition for an “authority” is given in Annex A (p. 55) of the JFS, which is: “Authority or Authorities responsible for preparation and publication of plan: The authority or authorities which are responsible for preparing and publishing the plan. There can be up to four fisheries policy authorities acting jointly in a plan.”.
4 The definition for a “co-ordinating authority” is given in Annex A (p. 55) of the JFS, which is:- “Coordinating Authority: The fisheries policy authority which will coordinate the preparation and management of the plan on behalf of the other fisheries policy authorities acting jointly”.
5 Economics of the UK Fishing Fleet 2023 — Seafish
6 Weblink to ICES. 2024. Working group for the Celtic Seas ecoregion (WGCSE). ICES Scientific Reports. 5:32. 1370pp. https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.22268980 .
7 Weblink to ICES. Stock Annex: Megrim (Lepidorhombus ssp.) in divisions 4.a and 6.a
(northern North Sea, West of Scotland) https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.18622778.v1
8 The MAP was part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy which was retained and now, as amended, forms part of assimilated law.
9 Weblink to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (2024) Fishing opportunities for British fishing boats.
10 Weblink to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (2024) UK Quota Management Rules.
11 Weblink to separate quota management rules as set by the Scottish Government, Defra and DAERA.
12 Most technical regulations for fishing vessels are established under the Common Fisheries Policy, originally adopted by the European Parliament in 2013 and revised in 2019. These regulations were incorporated into UK law following the UK's departure from the EU. You can find details of the UK-adopted legislation via this link.
13 The Landing Obligation is set out in Article 15 of the assimilated EU law Regulation number 1380/2013 This can be accessed on legislation.gov.uk here. Note, subsequent exemptions under the grounds of de minimis or high survivability are set out in subsequent UK statutory instruments.
14 Weblink to the UK Government (2024) Technical Conservation and Landing Obligation rules and regulations from 2022 onwards.
15 The Marine Strategy Regulations 2010
16 UK marine policy statement - GOV.UK
17 The Marine Strategy Regulations 2010
18 Adaptation means “The adjustment in economic, social or natural systems in response to actual or expected climatic change, to limit harmful consequences and exploit beneficial opportunities.”
19 Mitigation means “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to slow or stop global climate change”
20 Informing Scotland's fisheries policies to be adapted and resilient to climate change and ocean acidification.pdf – Project commissioned by the Scottish Government, used a literature review, alongside expert engagement, to discuss the predicted effects of climate change on fish stocks, the likely effects on the Scottish fishing industry and to provide recommendations to fill information deficits and inform policy
21 Climate change adaptation in the UK (wild capture) seafood industry - watching brief 2020-21.pdf
22 ICES benchmark processes are organised to evaluate (and propose improvements to) the current data and assessment methodology for selected stocks and non-fishery topics for which ICES provides recurrent advice outside the annual assessment cycle. Benchmark processes are open to experts and stakeholders and are reviewed by external experts throughout. (WKBHMB)
23 Towards Net Zero Carbon Fisheries - MF1291
24 Assessing greenhouse gas emissions from UK Fishing Fleet — Seafish
25 CEFAS (2024) Assessing the sustainability of fisheries catch limits negotiated by the UK for 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Sustainability of Fish Stocks | National Performance Framework
Contact
Email: FMPs@gov.scot