Fisheries Management Plans

Whelk FMP

The final Whelk FMP, developed by Defra in partnership with Seafish and the Whelk Management Group, was published in December 2023. It covers whelk (Buccinum undatum) stocks in English waters.

Initial Management Measures

These measures are designed to address immediate sustainability concerns, in line with the Fisheries Act’s precautionary objective.

The key proposal is the introduction of a permit scheme or licence entitlement with conditions. The purpose of this scheme is to allow adaptive management to reflect the local characteristics of whelk stocks and fleets, with the aim of controlling effort in whelk fisheries over the long term.

MCRS variations, pot limits and seasonal closures are some of the interventions under consideration that will be developed in collaboration with the WMG and relevant partners.

For more information on the Whelk FMP, please contact Seafish at fisheriesmanagementplans@seafish.co.uk

Whelk FMP Whelk Management Group

Bass FMP

The final Bass FMP was published in December 2023 and is a joint plan between Defra and the Welsh Government. It covers Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) stocks in English and Welsh waters.

Actions and Implementation

In the short term, proposed improvements to bass management measures to ensure sustainability and flexibility for the fishing sector include:

• the establishment by governments of bass management group(s) to facilitate stakeholder participation in management decisions
• exploring opportunities to develop more adaptive management systems to protect the stock and allow fishers to take advantage of any increases in stock abundance
• reviewing the existing domestic authorisation system to identify an alternative approach to align fishing opportunities withother FMP goals (for example, reducing discarding, minimising environmental impact and maximising benefits to local coastal communities
• reviewing the most suitable timing and duration for the closed seasons
• considering how best to monitor and reduce discarding, for example, using existing data recording tools like the online 'Record your catch' service, or through managed access (within existing annual limits) in return for data
• encouraging better monitoring, gear modifications and engagement with relevant schemes to help reduce the bycatch of sensitive species associated with bass fishing
• improving communication and understanding of bass regulations, including for registered buyers and sellers
• reviewing the practice of shallow inshore and shore-based netting to determine whether additional protections are needed to prevent migratory fish bycatch
• improving collaboration between regulators on targeted enforcement, including the powers necessary to ensure consistency

For more information on the Bass FMP, please contact Policy Lab at bass@policylab.co.uk

Crab and Lobster FMP

The final Crab and Lobster FMP was published in December 2023 and was developed by Defra in partnership with Seafish and the Crab and Lobster Management Group (CMG). The crab and lobster FMP covers stocks in English waters only.   

The species covered within the FMP
Primary:
Brown / edible crab ( Cancer Paguras )
European Lobster ( Homarus gammaras )

Secondary:
Velvet swimming crab ( Necora puber )
Common prawn ( Palaemon serratus )
Crawfish ( Palninarus elephas )
Common spider crab ( Maja rachydactyla )
 

Initial management measures
These are designed to contribute to objectives set out in the FMP in the short term and to increase protection for stocks in line with the Act's precautionary objective. 

The key proposals are:

• exploring opportunities for harmonising lobster and crawfish MCRS with existing IFCA measures in English waters
• prohibiting the landing of soft brown crab for bait
• piloting finer-scale management of brown crab and European lobster fisheries in certain areas, based on spatial scale rather than administrative boundaries
• considering wider effort management measures

For more information on the Crab and Lobster FMP, please contact Seafish at fisheriesmanagementplans@seafish.co.uk
Crab and Lobster FMP

King Scallop FMP

The final King Scallop FMP was published in December 2023 and was developed with Defra and the Welsh Government in partnership with the Scallop Industry Consultation Group (SICG). It applies to King Scallop ( Pecten maximus ) stocks in English and Welsh waters. 
 

Setting initial management measures
This FMP sets out measures to be implemented in the short-term to address sustainability concerns in line with the precautionary objective in the Fisheries Act 2020. The precautionary objective identifies that an absence of scientific evidence is not used to prevent management measures being introduced. Actions to develop initial management measures include:
seeking opportunities for strengthening existing measures to increase stock protection
potential broad alignment of measures, where it may be appropriate, to avoid unnecessary differences in measures applying across management borders. 

For more information on the King Scallop FMP, please contact Seafish at fisheriesmanagementplans@seafish.co.uk

King Scallop FMP

Channel Non-Quota Demersal Stocks FMP

The Channel NQS FMP, developedby the Marine Management Organisation, was published in December 2023. It covers 19 non-quota stock species in ICES areas 7d and 7e (Eastern and Western English Channel). 

The FMP covers:

• bony fish(bib, brill, lemon sole, turbot, john dory, red mullet, grey gurnard, red gurnard, and tub gurnard)
• elasmobranchs (lesser spotted dogfish, starry smoothhound, and common smoothhound)
• cephalopods (common cuttlefish, elegant cuttlefish, common octopus, curled octopus, long-finned squid, European common squid, and common squid).

Recommended management measures
During this first iteration of the FMP, 6 proposed areas for priority management intervention were identified. These areas were developed through evidence gathering and engagement with stakeholders, who recognised that change is required to improve the sustainability of the stocks and fisheries. Further work and consultation will need to be undertaken to determine the applicability of each of these measures and refine where necessary. The priority areas are:

• restriction of future flyseining effort
• minimum conservation reference size (MCRS)
• towed gear
• cuttlefish
• octopus
• education, adoption of voluntary guidlines and development of code of conduct

The FMP recognises that east and west channel fisheries are distinct, given the physical characteristics of the 2 regions that support differing habitats and fish assemblages. Therefore, management interventions will need to take spatial-temporal variability into consideration.

For more information on the Channel Non-Quota Demersal Stocks FMP, please contact Defra at fimps@defra.gov.uk

Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel Mixed Flatfish FMP

The Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel mixed flatfish FMP covers the English waters within ICES divisions 4b, 4c and 7d. The plan will include the following flatfish species (quota and non-quota):

• sole
• dab
• plaice
• founder
• halibut
• lemon sole
• witch
• turbot
• brill

Due to the volume of responses across fisheries management plans (FMP) consultations, Defra has focussed its analysis on the first five plans, published in 2023. Defra will publish the full Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel Mixed Flatfish FMP and the summary of responses and government response to the consultation in 2024.

For more information on the Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel Mixed Flatfish FMP, please contact Defra at flatfishfmp@defra.gov.uk

FMP's in development

Defra is currently preparing the next 5 FMPs for English waters, which will be published by the end of 2024. Defra's delivery partners are leading on the preparation of these plans. Defra will use the lessons learnt from the first set of FMPs to inform their development.

Cockle FMP

The cockle FMP will cover English waters only. The draft FMP is being prepared by the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (AIFCA), working with the relevant Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) and a wide range of other organisations and stakeholders with an interest in the fishery. 

To give your views or register your interest in future engagement events for the cockles FMP, email CockleFMP@association-ifca.org.uk.

Queen Scallop FMP

The queen scallop FMP will cover English waters only. Defra’s non-quota species fisheries policy team are leading the work on this FMP.   

To give your views or register your interest in future engagement events for the queen scallop FMP, email shellfish@defra.gov.uk.  

North Sea and Channel Sprat FMP

The North Sea and Channel sprat FMP is a joint plan between Defra and the Scottish Government. It will cover UK waters of the North Sea and Channel. The draft FMP is being prepared by Cefas.   

To give your views or register your interest in future engagement events for the sprat FMP, email fmp@cefas.gov.uk.

Southern North Sea Demersal Non-Quota Species (NQS)

The Southern North Sea demersal NQS FMP covers the English waters within ICES divisions 4b and 4c. It will include important demersal (bottom living) species without agreed catch limits (quota), such as:  

*cuttlefish
*grey gurnards
*red gurnards
*tub gurnards
*John dory
*lesser spotted dogfish
*octopus
*squid
*surmullet

The draft FMP is being prepared by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).   

To give your views or register your interest in future engagement events for the Southern North Sea demersal NQS FMP, email fmp@marinemanagement.org.uk. Working Group

Southern North Sea and Channel Skates and Rays

The Southern North Sea and Channel skates and rays FMP covers the English waters within ICES divisions 4b, 4c, 7d and 7e. The plan will include the following species:    

*blonde ray
*cuckoo ray
*skates and rays
*small-eyed ray
*spotted ray
*starry ray
*thornback ray
*undulate ray

The draft FMP is being prepared by the MMO.

To give your views or register your interest in future engagement events for the Southern North Sea and Channel skates and ray FMP, email: fmp@marinemanagement.org.uk. Working Group

Further Information - Tranche 4 FMPs

If you want to find out more, contact Defra’s FMP team by emailing FMPs@defra.gov.uk, or contact one of the delivery partners listed to find out more about a specific FMP. Final 4 FMPs Webinar

Celtic Seas and Western Channel Pelagic FMP

The Celtic Seas and Western Channel Pelagic FMP is a joint plan between Defra and the Welsh Government and is set for publication in 2025. The plan will cover stocks of herring, pilchards, greater silver smelt, horse mackerel and anchovy within the ICES areas 7e, 7f, 7g and 7h, in Welsh and English waters only. 

To give your views or register for future engagement events for the pelagic FMP, contact the FMP team through the email: cswcpelagicfmp@marinemanagement.org.uk. 

Celtic Seas and Western Channel Demersal FMP

The Celtic Seas and Western Channel Demersal FMP is currently being developed by Defra and is set for publication in 2025. The plan will cover stocks in English and Welsh waters within ICES areas 7e, 7f, 7g and 7h. The plan will include the following species:
monkfish/anglerfish
cod
haddock
plaice
thornback ray
sole
blue ling
deep water sharks
saithe
round nose grenadier
red seabream
skates and rays
megrim
four spotted megrim
pollack
nephrops
whiting

To give your views or register for future engagement events for the demersal FMP, contact the FMP team through the email: fmp@marinemanagement.org.uk. 

Black Seabream FMP

The black seabream FMP is currently being developed by the Marine Management Organisation and is set to be published in 2025. The plan will cover ICES areas 4b, 4c, 7a, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h and 7j (English waters).

The MMO will work with stakeholders from commercial and recreational fishing sectors, environmental organisations and other key marine bodies to understand their views. Development of a plan specifically for Black Seabream was highlighted by the fishing industry and other key marine stakeholders as a necessary move because of impacts due to potential overexploitation of the species. 

To give your views or register for future engagement events for the black seabream FMP, contact the FMP team through the email: fmp@marinemanagement.org.uk. 

Wrasses Complex FMP

The wrasses complex FMP is currently being developed by the Marine Management Organisation and is set to be published in 2025. The plan will cover ICES areas 4b, 4c, 7a, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h and 7j (English waters). The plan will include the following species:
ballan
corkwing
rock cook
goldsinny

The MMO will work with stakeholders from commercial and recreational fishing sectors, environmental organisations and other key marine bodies to understand their views, particularly on which species should be a priority, potential management changes and sustainability.

Development of a plan specifically for Wrasse was highlighted by the fishing industry and other key marine stakeholders as a necessary move because of concern relating to potential ecosystem impacts.  

To give your views or register for future engagement events for the black seabream FMP, contact the FMP team through the email: fmp@marinemanagement.org.uk.