Proposed Northern Shelf Cod Fisheries Management Plan

Policies

A significant level of work has been undertaken by Coastal State partners and ICES over the past years to address the various management challenges presented by the Northern Shelf cod stock. This includes a high degree of scientific input which resulted in the transition away from the provision of two separate pieces of advice for North Sea and West of Scotland cod, towards more comprehensive advice covering three substocks (but covering the same area) as part of a singular Northern Shelf stock. This marks significant progress: however, there is further work to be done to determine substock identity and distribution outwith the spawning season, and to ensure that management actions are appropriate for substocks in different locations. The actions within this FMP reflect planned work in the international scientific and policy sphere in relation to this.

In addition to work undertaken in relation to stock assessments, Coastal States have also put in place a range of technical and management measures to improve the health of the stock and also to support fishing vessels to best manage fishing opportunities during periods of TAC constraint. These measures are explored further below and are also reflected in the actions of the FMP which seek to review and refine the management measures that are in place. Given that the Northern Shelf cod stock straddles different sea management areas and is managed in the trilateral forum with the EU and Norway as well as under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, actions are focussed on ensuring that appropriate action is taken collectively.

The FMP identifies six 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 JFS (policies 3, 4, 5 and 6).

For each policy the plan sets out:

• a rationale;
• ongoing, short and longer term actions; and
• 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 Northern Shelf cod stock sustainably, contributing to restoring and maintaining the biomass above the level capable of producing MSY, taking decisions that reflect the status and uncertainty of vulnerable substocks.

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 Northern Shelf cod 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 cod fishery on the marine ecosystem.

5. Support fishing businesses 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.