GovWire

Background

In December 2020, Defra and MMO hosted a workshop for the inshore fishing fleet designed to focus discussion on how together, through communication and action, we can produce a model for collaborative working to address regionally specific issues.

Outcomes from the workshop resulted in the creation of Regional Fisheries Groups, discussion focused on the intention of cross sector working, identifying priorities and thoughts on the preferences of local areas. Overall agreement on the concept of Regional Fisheries Groups and the approach was reached.

The incentive for these groups arose as an output from the Future of Inshore Fisheries Conference, and conversations held during Defras Inshore Working Group and the MMOs Quota Advisory Groups.

Concept

• To generate a cultural shift that enables industry to become part of the decision-making process for fisheries management, recognising that industry, government and the recreational sector have a shared vested interest in developing and maintaining a world-class sustainable fisheries management system that supports local communities.

Approach

• To give industry more of an active role in regional decision making and provide an opportunity for them to influence regional fisheries decisions.
• To provide a formal method of engagement predominantly for inshore fishermen and others who may feel they are not represented by a wider national group.
• To build more collaborative and trusting working relationships between policy makers, regulators and the fishing sector at a regional level, recognising the knowledge that they hold.
• To better understand the challenges and opportunities facing the industry at a regional level (particularly the inshore sector) since the UK has become an independent coastal state, so the government can help them to take advantage of opportunities for the future of the industry.

The Regional Fisheries Groups present real opportunities for collaborative working on a range of issues, from Fisheries Management Plans to more localised collaborative science projects to quota management. The membership encompasses MMO, Defra, Cefas, IFCAs, the catching sector and other relevant stakeholders.

Regional Fisheries Groups:

• North East - 4b

• North West - 7a

• South East 4c

• South - 7d

• South West - 7efg

Lyme Bay Code of Conduct

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has responded to concerns from fishermen that an increase in sole quota has led to conflict and potentially overfishing in Lyme Bay.

The MMO and Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities (IFCA) have been investigating the issue and have created a steering group to oversee the investigation. The Steering group includes representative fishers from the Lyme Bay Community Interest Company, and other ports outside of Lyme Bay, as well as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), IFCA, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas) and MMO representatives.

At a recent steering group meeting, a best practice Code of Conduct for sole fishing with gill nets in Lyme Bay was agreed as follows. Lyme Bay is defined as the area inside a line from Beer Head to Portland.

1. A minimum mesh size 5 inches (127mm) for gill nets targeting sole.
2. All fixed nets should be marked with a buoy showing the PLN of the vessel at both ends of the net.
3. Flags and radar reflectors are used where possible and practical to mark the location of nets.

Note: That these are best practice recommendations and not law.

The first recommendation is to support the sole population by letting smaller soles increase their opportunity to breed. The second is to help prevent gear conflict by increasing the visibility of net locations to prevent them being caught up in trawl gear, and so that other netting vessels can avoid setting nets that cross over nets already set in the water.

The MMO is working with Cefas and other organisations to develop a scientific investigation into what impact increased fishing in Lyme Bay may be having on sole populations, the marine environment, and the potential socio-economic impacts on fishers. This work involves the use of MMO data from logbooks, the Catch App and from observers at sea and in fish markets, to analyse catches made by different vessels as well as other possible work to look at the wider sole population.

Additional Information

• Future of our Inshore Fisheries

• Terms of Reference

Useful links

• Catch Recording 0300 0203 788

• IVMS 01900 508618

• Fishing Vessel Licensing - fishingvessellicensing@marinemanagement.org.uk

• Monthly catch limits - InshoreQuotaManager@marinemanagement.org.uk

• Funding 0208 026 5539