Proposed Northern Shelf Ling Fisheries Management Plan

Implementation and Monitoring

Implementation

This FMP proposes new actions but does not implement them. The actions contained within this FMP will be taken forward following its publication. However, it is important to remember that many of the actions are already underway and part of multi-year delivery programmes.

Indicators for monitoring the effectiveness of the plan and review process

This FMP contains a number of policies and actions intended to ensure that Northern Shelf ling fisheries covered by this FMP are fished sustainably with respect to an MSY approach and also to drive improvements in the overall management approach.

There is insufficient evidence to determine MSY or a proxy for MSY for the Northern Shelf ling. This FMP sets out long-term next steps to build the evidence base for this data limited stock to support progress towards defining and measuring stock status and reporting on stock sustainability. An increase in the available evidence to define and measure stock status will be an indicator of the effectiveness of this plan for this stock.

The policies and actions within this FMP will be reviewed as part of the three year review cycle for the JFS. In addition, as set out within the 2020 Act and the JFS, this FMP will be reviewed at least every six years. An earlier review may be triggered in light of a change to relevant evidence, international obligations, or wider events. The decision to review earlier will be taken by the fisheries policy authorities. The review of the FMP will include a report on individual policies and actions and whether they have been a) implemented and b) any known interactions between the actions and health of the stock.