BACKGROUND
Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) represent the key mechanism for implementing the Joint Fisheries Statement, which now steers sustainable fisheries management in the UK following Brexit. Each FMP sets out policies for maintaining one or more stocks at sustainable levels, or restoring them to these levels if needed. 43 FMPs are currently being developed, some of these jointly by two or more of the UK's national fisheries authorities. Six of the FMPs have been selected as frontrunners, with a final consultation now launched ahead of their anticipated publication at the end of 2023. This digest summarises the purpose of the final consultation and ways to engage in this, the key issues under consideration for each of the frontrunner FMPs and engagement that has already been undertaken during the FMP development.
For further background information on the FMPs and the Joint Fisheries Statement, please see our earlier briefings:
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE FINAL ROUND OF CONSULTATION?
This round of consultation provides stakeholders with a final opportunity to provide their views on specific measures proposed in the frontrunner FMPs. For each FMP, stakeholders are being asked to submit their views on the following areas:
The process of developing the FMP.
Priority evidence gaps identified.
Specific measures and the prioritisation of these.
How stakeholders wish to be involved in the delivery of the FMP.
Whether there are any important connections with, or links to, other fisheries that should be considered in finalising or implementing the FMP.
The likely significant effects of the FMP on wider environmental and social aspects as identified in the additional ‘Environmental Report’ produced for each FMP.
HOW CAN STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGE WITH THE CONSULTATIONS?
Defra will be running a series of in-person and online events through August and into early September, where stakeholders will be able to find out more about the frontrunner FMPs and provide feedback directly. Details of these events, including how to register, can be found here.
In-person meeting locations confirmed so far are:
Brixham – 1 August
Plymouth – 2 August
Newlyn – 3 August
Hull – 8 August
Scarborough – 9 August
North Shields – 10 August
Stakeholders are also welcome to submit written responses online via the links provided further below. All consultations on the frontrunner FMPs will close on Sunday 1 October 2023.
WHICH FMPS ARE BEING CONSULTED ON, AND WHAT ARE THEIR KEY PRIORITIES?
While all the FMPs share an overarching objective – to ensure the sustainability of one or several stocks – each has scope to set different priorities according to the data and management needs of the stock(s) covered. Accordingly, stakeholders’ views are sought on the priority issues identified for each FMP and the measures proposed to address these, in addition to the development and implementation of each FMP.
Brown crab and European lobster FMP, England
Consultation link: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/fisheries-management-plans-1/crab-lobster-fmp-consultation/
Key priorities for the FMP:
Improving stock assessment methodology to enhance the reliability of assessment results.
Improving the coherence of the management landscape, especially for data-limited species such as crawfish.
Ensuring that crab and lobster stocks are fished within sustainable limits..
Whelk FMP, England
Consultation link: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/fisheries-management-plans-1/whelk-fmp-consultation/
Key priorities for the FMP:
Putting in place data collection processes to provide the information needed to formulate a harvest strategy.
Introducing a range of management measures to ensure that fishing effort does not pose a threat to the sustainability of the stock.
King scallop FMP, England and Wales
Consultation link: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/fisheries-management-plans-1/kingscallop-fmp-consultation/
Key priorities for the FMP:
Improving the coherence of the management landscape.
Ensuring that data collection processes are in place to provide robust stock assessments.
Addressing the impacts of dredge fisheries on the marine environment.
Bass FMP, England and Wales
Consultation link: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/fisheries-management-plans-1/seabass-fmp-consultation/
Key priorities for the FMP:
Ensuring that the stock continues to be fished within sustainable limits.
Addressing evidence gaps on how many bass are being discarded by commercial fishing operations, how many are being caught by recreational fishers, and the socio-economic benefits of the stock to coastal communities.
Mitigating the risk of bycatch of marine mammals, seabirds and other fish.
Channel Demersal Non-Quota Species FMP, English Channel
Consultation link: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/fisheries-management-plans-1/channel-demersal-nqs-fmp-consultation/
Key priorities for the FMP:
Improving data collection and management regimes for the 19 species covered in the FMP.
Improving the evidence base in relation to f the impact of these fisheries on the marine environment.
Southern North Sea and Eastern channel flatfish FMP
Consultation link: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/fisheries-management-plans-1/flatfish-fmp-consultation/
Key priorities for the FMP:
Ensuring there is sufficient evidence across the nine stocks covered by the FMP.
Mitigating the risk of seabed abrasion in trawl fisheries.
WHAT ENGAGEMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN CARRIED OUT?
The different organisations leading development of the frontrunner FMPs have already undertaken a programme of engagement, with a large number of both online and in-person events held at coastal locations across the UK in 2022. Between them, stakeholders represented the catching, processing and supply chain sectors, academics, local and national regulators, NGOs, and – in the case of the Southern North Sea and Eastern channel flatfish FMP – international stakeholder groups. Generally there was strong appetite for closing key management and data gaps, for management to be as collaborative and inclusive as possible, and for management measures to be regionally-tailored where evidence indicated the need. Feedback obtained from engagement events was submitted to Defra and the Welsh Government (for FMPs being jointly developed for Wales and England).