Proposed North Sea and West of Scotland for Monk/Anglerfish Fisheries Management Plans
The North Sea and West Coast of Scotland monk/anglerfish 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)[6] and the associated ICES stock annex[7].
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 Northern Shelf anglerfish. ICES advice is organised according to categories, ranging from 1 (the most information available) to 6 (the least). Northern Shelf anglerfish has recently moved from a Category 3 stock to a Category 1 stock. As Northern Shelf anglerfish is now a Category 1 stock this 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.
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. The anglerfish stock was the subject of a recent ICES benchmark[8] assessment in 2024.
Assessment of evidence
As set out above, Northern Shelf anglerfish 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 Northern Shelf anglerfish stock.
As of June 2024, the spawning stock biomass (SSB) is above a level capable of producing the maximum sustainable yield (MSY Btrigger). Fishing pressure is below the MSY level (FMSY), and the catch limit agreed between the UK and the EU was set in line with ICES advice for 2025.
Contact
Email: FMPs@gov.scot