Sea fisheries: allocating and managing Scotland's quota
Fish quotas are the amounts of fish of different species that may be legally landed by the UK as a Coastal State.
Fish quotas are the amounts of fish of different species that may be legally landed by the UK as a Coastal State. The purpose of our quota management arrangements is to enable the fishing industry to make full use of the fishing opportunities which we receive following annual negotiations with other Coastal States, while ensuring that quotas are not exceeded.
The UK Government is the allocating authority for UK fish quotas. The UK Government apportions UK fish quotas amongst the four UK Fisheries Administrations (i.e. Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) pro-rata to the Fixed Quota Allocation (FQA) units associated with the licences administered by each Administration.
After receiving quota from the UK, each of the four UK Fisheries Administrations (FAs) allocates quota to its fishermen. Administrations must ensure that the allocation of quota complies with section 25 of the Fisheries Act 2020.
The Scottish Government (and the other FAs) issues most of its allocations to sectoral groups, of which there are 9 administered directly by the Marine Directorate. The groups manage their members’ quotas on their behalf and some seek to market their landings.
Once allocations are made to sectoral groups, the quota is fully within their control (subject to quota management rules).
Quota and catches for vessels that are notin sectoral groups (known as the "non-sector" in the case of over 10 metre vessels, and the "10 metre and under" fleet) are managed directly by the Scottish Government. Vessels in these groups fish against catch limits set by the government, which may be monthly or quarterly. These limits are enforced in fishing licences.
Fixed Quota Allocation (FQA register)
The UK Fisheries Administrations jointly published an online FQA register that shows the number and type of FQA units assigned to each UK fishing licence, including PO dummy licences.
Where third parties hold units on dummy licences, they are also identified in the register.
Licensees may apply to transfer units on the FQA register.
Quota uptake reports
The levels of recorded landings and quota uptake of key quota species are monitored throughout the year through a series of weekly and monthly spreadsheets.
See the weekly UK quota management reports.
Contact
For further information email ross.parker@gov.scot (tel. no. +44 [0]7584998572).