Proposed Northern Shelf Ling Fisheries Management Plan

Scope

This FMP relates to Northern Shelf ling (Molva molva) which consists of the Northern Shelf ling fishery in UK waters of the ICES areas 2.a, 4.a, 5.b, and 6 (Rockall and West of Scotland). It should be noted that the ICES assessment for this biological stock also includes ICES areas 3, 4, 6-9, 12 and 14.

The two main management areas covered by this FMP are the UK waters of the North Sea (division 4.a) and UK’s western waters (subareas 6). These two areas fall within the ICES assessment for subareas 3, 4, 6–9, 12, and 14 (Northeast Atlantic and Arctic Ocean), which is a category 3 assessment. Additionally, this FMP covers the part of division 5.b which is within UK waters, and the part of division 2.a which is within UK waters. Division 5.b is subject to a separate, category 1 ICES assessment. Division 2.a falls within the ICES assessment for subareas 1 and 2 (Northeast Arctic), which is a category 3 assessment. As the UK portion of divisions 5.b and 2.a are geographically relatively small, and the quotas in these areas are minimal, the main focus of this FMP is on the fishery within UK waters of 4.a and 6.

The 2020 Act requires the relevant authority or authorities to prepare and publish FMPs in accordance with the list and timetable included in the JFS.^[1] The relevant authorities responsible for this FMP are DAERA, Defra and the Scottish Government^[2]. The plan has been prepared and published jointly by the relevant authorities for the purposes of the 2020 Act. As the coordinating authority, the Scottish Government has coordinated the preparation and management of this plan on behalf of the other relevant authorities.^[3]