West Coast of Scotland and Clyde Herring Fisheries Management Plan

Policies

The relevant fisheries policy authorities do not have sufficient evidence to make an assessment of MSY for either of the two stocks covered by this FMP. This FMP covers herring in ICES management area 6aN (WoS herring) as well as a separate stock in the Clyde which is managed by the Scottish Government.

With regards the WoS (6aN) herring fishery whilst the fisheries policy authorities do not consider there is sufficient evidence to enable them to make an estimate of the MSY for the stock of the 6aN herring fishery, it is considered that there is sufficient evidence to evaluate the likelihood of fishing below FMSY using a MSY proxy-based assessment. The advice and management approach follows the ICES MSY approach under their framework for Category 3 stocks. Fisheries policy authorities are committed to improving the data relating to this stock, as well as considering policies on management measures required to ensure the sustainable management of WoS herring. These steps and policies are outlined under ‘FMP policies’ section, although it should be noted that these actions are likely to take some time to deliver due to prioritisation of resources towards other commercially important stocks.

With regards the Clyde herring fishery it is not currently possible to estimate MSY reference points from the currently available data sources, particularly given the likely mixing with other West of UK herring stocks, and there is no analytical assessment of the Clyde herring stock. To address this Marine Directorate (MD) scientists in Scotland produce an annual science report utilising the latest survey and catch data, when available, and produce advice that will continue to contribute to any future assessment of the stocks.

Fisheries policy authorities are committed to improving the data relating to this stock, and are currently investigating the feasibility of undertaking an acoustic survey in the Clyde which would be undertaken in co-ordination of other institutes surveys covering the Irish and Celtic seas to make accurate determinations of both stock biomass as well as identity. In addition, the fisheries policy authorities have sought and will continue to seek any relevant additional data that fishers, research organisations, universities or other stakeholders may hold on this stock in order to inform future decision making. This is reflected within the policies and actions section of the FMP.

In accordance with section 5.4 of the JFS, the design and structure of FMPs directly relate to the fisheries objectives identified in section 5.4.2 but may also address wider issues in fisheries management depending upon the specific goals or targets of each plan and may contribute to one or more of the remaining fisheries objectives.

To ensure effective ongoing management of the WoS and Clyde herring fisheries in UK waters, 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)(b) of the 2020 Act (policies 1 and 2 and policies set out in the JFS (policies 3, 4, 6 and 6).

For each policy, the plan sets out:

• a rationale;
• ongoing, short- and longer-term actions;
• 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:

• Policy 1: Continue to manage the WoS and Clyde herring stocks using existing tools to maintain stock levels
• Policy 2: Improve the evidence base underpinning the stock, in order to support sustainable harvesting of the WoS and Clyde herring stocks, with biomass maintained above the level capable of producing MSY
• Policy 3: Monitor catches of WoS and Clyde herring and ensure that where possible all catches are counted against quotas
• Policy 4: Identify and support implementation of ecosystem-based fisheries management approaches appropriate for the WoS and Clyde herring fisheries
• Policy 5: Support fishing businesses to deliver socio-economic and cultural benefits for communities
• Policy 6: Reduce the impact of fishing on climate change and support the fishing industry to adapt to the impacts of climate change