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The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has unveiled a series of measures connected to the sole fishery in Lyme Bay following a consultation with stakeholders earlier this year.

The consultation ran from 29 March to 28 May 2023 and was followed by an in-person workshop with stakeholders to discuss potential new management measures for the fishery.  Further information on the consultation can be found on the website linked below inlcuding a summary of the consultation responses.

Following analysis of the consultation responses, workshop and evidence investigations, the MMO has published a decision document outlining the results, proposed management measures and next steps. The MMO has also produced a one-pager to summarise the outcomes of consultation and proposed management measures. These documents and further detail can also be found at the below link.

Regional Fisheries Groups - South West 7efg - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Net Fishing Byelaw as been ratified by the Secretary of State, introducing various measures to regulate fishing with nets within the Southern IFCA District.  

The Net Fishing Byelaw has been developed following the Authority’s decision to review and develop regulations for the District’s harbours and estuarine waters in order to support the use of these areas as essential fish habitats, to provide protection to migratory salmonids as they transit through these areas, to balance the social and economic benefits of net fishers and to further the Conservation Objectives of Designated sites.   

The Byelaw introduced three types of management area: 

• Net Prohibition Areas 
• Net Restriction Areas 
• Net Permit Areas 

In addition, the Byelaw introduces requirements for the marking of nets by all fishers within the District, a definition for a ring net and a method for how a ring net must be used and provisions relating to the use of a net within a Bass Nursery Area. 

For more information on the Net Fishing Byelaw please visit the Net Fishing page and if you are wanting to find out more about the Net Permits please visit the Net Fishing Permit page.  

More than 400 English small vessles (10-metre and under) are subject to a limit of 350kg on the amount of finfish quota species they can fish per annum.

Given the increased quota now available to the small-scale fleet, Defra is now seeking views on the permanent removal of the licence cap from 1 January 2024.

For more details visit the consultation webpage - Fisheries: removing the quota cap on 10 metre and under vessels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 30th August 2023.

Defra is consulting on plans to permit catch and release recreational fisheries for bluefin tuna in the UK, with the aim of having fishing taking place in UK waters from next summer - allowing recreational fishers, coastal communities and the wider economy to benefit from the presence of this iconic species in our waters while ensuring it reamins sustainable in the long term.

Since 2021, the UK has negotiated its own BFT quota through the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

For more details visit the consultation webpage - Establishing permitting regimes for the recreational fishing of Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna in UK waters - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 4th September 2023.

Defra is consulting on a different approach to manage discards. A ban on discarding (the practice of throwing unwanted catches of fish back into the sea) was introduced by the EU in 2015, but evidence has shown it has not been as effective as hoped in changing fishing practices. 

The proposals include the key principle of counting all fish catches against quota to keep fishing within agreed UK limits through better catch accounting. Defra will work with industry groups and stakeholders to develop measures to avoid and reduce unwanted catch, for example through more selective fishing gear. 

For more details visit the consultation webpage - Discards reform - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 9th October 2023.

Defra is consulting on expanding the use of REM in English Waters. REM will allow for effective monitoring and better data on fishing activities through the use of integrated on-board systems that may include cameras, gear sensors and GPS, helping to make data-led fisheries management decisions.

Defra are proposing a targeted approach and prioritising the following fisheries which would come online in stages over the next five years:

• Pelagic Trawls over 24m in length fishing in all English waters
• Demersal seines (flyseines) fishing in English waters off the Southern North Sea and English Channel
• Demersal trawls using mesh sizes of up to 120mm (targeting nephrops) fishing in English waters off the North Sea
• Fixed and drift nets (gill and trammel nets) fishing in English waters of the Celtic Sea and English Channel
• Demersal trawls, including beam trawls, fishing in English waters of the Celtic Sea and English Channel

For more details visit the consultation webpage - Remote electronic monitoring - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 9th October 2023.

The 6 Frontrunner FMPs were made live on Monday 17/07/2023 and public consultation is now running until 23:59 01/10/23.

The public consultation gives stakeholders the opportunity to offer their views and feedback on the proposed measures and polices included in each FMP, alongside the likely environmental impacts of the FMPs, which is set out in the environmental reports. Feedback can be provided for each FMP using the relevant consultation Online Surveys and any additional feedback through emailing FMPconsultations@defra.gov.uk

FMPs, associated documents, and consultation surveys can be found through the links provided under the relevant Frontrunner FMP sections.

An event providing free dental checks and health information for fishers is being held on 5th July 2023 between 10am - 4pm at the Portsmouth Fish Quay, Camber. Please see poster below for more details.

The Solent Dredge Permit Byelaw came into force on the 1st  November 2021. The byelaw introduces a single coherent management tool for the purposes of managing the sustainable harvesting of bivalve populations in the Solent prohibiting the use of a dredge by means of a vessel within the Solent unless authorised by a permit. The byelaw its permit conditions set out various mechanisms for managing the fishery including closed seasons, curfews, gear restrictions and catch returns. 

The application period for the 2023/24 season will be open from the 23rd May 2023 to 30th September 2023 

For more information on applying for a permit please click here

The CCRI (Countryside and Community Research Institute) at the University of Gloucestershire are working with partners from Fishing Into the Future, who have been commissioned by Defra and working with the devolved governments, to develop an annual nationwide survey that would aim to collect data on the social issues faced by the commercial fishing industry to aim to support fisheries management. The survey could collect data on health & wellbeing, cultural identity, community, traditions and values. 

The project would like to hear from people in the catching sector on their priorities and issues to include in the survey. An online workshop is being held on Monday 22nd May between 2:30pm - 5:00pm to discuss the co-design and development of the survey.

If you are interested in attending the workshop please contact Nick Lewis by email at nlewis@glos.ac.uk, a poster for the event can be viewed here.

For more information on the project please visit the project webpage here.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), acting on behalf of all four UK Fisheries Administrations (UKFAs), sought views on a proposal to close UK waters in ICES area 7d and Lyme Bay area of 7e to the king scallop (Pectens maximus) dredge fishery. The proposed closures were partly in response to the EU closure of EU 7d waters to all UK and EU vessels in the king scallop dredge fishery from 15 May to 30 September, to offer protection to spawning stock in 7d and limit depletion of the stock in the Lyme Bay area of 7e due to displacement of fishing effort.

UKFAs are committed to ensuring fisheries are managed to a level where stocks are healthy and fished sustainably, environmental damage is minimised, and economic return is maximized whilst ensuring sustainable exploitation.

Three closure lengths were considered: 15 May – 30 September, 1 July – 30 September and 1 August – 30 September for ICES area 7d and Lyme Bay area of 7e (see map in annex for further information). The consultation also sought to determine if vessels 12 meter (m) and under sector should be excluded from any closure decision.

Having considered the call for evidence responses and scientific advice on the stock biomass, UKFAs have agreed to introduce a closure in UK 7d & Lyme Bay area of 7e (ICES rectangles 29E6, 29E7, 30E6 and 30E7), for the king scallop dredge fishery from 1 July to 30 September 2023. The 7d closure will apply to all UK and EU vessels in UK waters over 10m in length, the Lyme Bay area of 7e closure will apply to all UK and EU vessels over 12m in length.

More details can be found in the Decision Document for the Consultation here: Decision_Document_Response_to_the_call_for_evidence_on_ICES_area_7d_king_scallop_closure.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

As part of the current MMO Formal Consultation on potential new management measures for the sole fishery in Lyme Bay (see News Item on 29th March 2023 for details), MMO staff will be visiting the following ports week commencing 8th May 2023 to make fishers aware of the consultation, answer questions and help individuals to complete the consultation.

Wednesday 10th May 2023
Poole - opposite the Thistle Hotel on the quayside (09:30 - 11:00)
Weymouth - Ship Inn Pub (13:30 - 15:30)
Mevagissey - She Sells Cafe (10:00 - 12:00)
Plymouth - quayside (15:00 - 17:00)

Thursday 11th May 2023
Brixham - MMO office (10:00 - 12:00)
Axmouth - Chris's Cafe (14:00 - 16:00)
West Bay - Cherries Cafe (09:00 - 11:00)
Lyme Regis - Beach House Cafe (12:30 - 14:30)

Catchwise is a ground-truthing survey of recreational sea angling taking place across England and Wales in 2023 and 2024. Substance, the Angling Trust and Cefas have partnered to deliver this exciting new project. 

The project has been co-developed with the recreational sea angling community and aims to significantly improve recognition of sea angling's value to coastal communities and inform relevant sea fisheries management decisions accurately. Catchwise will be the biggest single study of sea angling undertaken for over a decade and will involve a major shore and private boat survey of sea anglers as well as a survey of charter boats. 

The project is funded by Defra's Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships Scheme (FISP) and is being supported by a large number of angling and marine organisations. The project has an Advisory Group representing the recreational sea angling community, individual anglers, charter skippers, scientists, fisheries managers and agencies including Angling Trades Association, Association of IFCAs, Welsh Government, Institute of Fisheries Management, Defra, Marine Management Organisation and more.

Catchwise will involve face-to-face surveying of thousands of sea anglers all around the English and Welsh coast and an online survey of charter boats. For more details on the project please visit the Catchwise website - Catchwise

The project is looking for Volunteer Angling Citizen Scientists across England and Wales to help the professional surveyors to survey anglers and increase the reach of the project. For more information on volunteering see the link above and to sign up click here https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/catchwisevols/.

What do you need to volunteer?

• Be able to access the coast easily.
• Be able to conduct face-to-face surveys.

How much time will it take?

• One or two 4-hour surveying sessions per month.
• In a year: Ideally the whole year! But a minimum of four months between now and June 2024.
• If you cannot commit to this right now, we still want to know if you’re interested.

What do volunteers get?

• Become a recognised Volunteer Angling Citizen Scientist
• Training, guidance and support
• Be part of a community of angling researchers
• Monthly prize draws and goody bags
• Welcome pack and certificate detailing your contribution

Defra have commissioned an independent evaluation to assess the development of the Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs). The evaluation is conducting research to explore the views of fishers, anglers and others and will draw out lessons aimed at providing evidence and advice to Defra, the MMO and others on how to improve the development of the plans.

The first round of this evaluation involves a survey open to all individuals and organisations with a stake in English and Welsh sea fisheries, providing an opportunity to have a say on how the development of FMPs is going. 

Please click here to visit our Fisheries Management Plans page for more information.

The MMO is consulting on potential new management measures for the sole fishery in Lyme Bay.  This is in response to feedback from some fishers in Lyme Bay who have experienced competition for space and gear conflict.  Some fishers also report a reduction in the amount and size of sole caught. 

Following an analysis of data gathered, the MMO concludes that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that, in line with the precautionary principal, potential management measures in Lyme Bay must be considered. 

A consultation is running until 28th May 2023. The consultation is in three parts.  The first part focuses on gaining views on the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of the fishery, the second part asks for information from commercial fishers and the third part asks for opinion on potential management measures, their area of implementation and any other suggestions for management. This consultation has been developed in partnership with a steering group of fishers, scientists, government policy makers and managers. 

For information on the consultation including relevant documents, how to participate, contact details for the MMO and details of in person port visits related to the consultation please visit:

Formal Consultation, Lyme Bay Potential Management Measures for Sole Fishery - Defra - Citizen Space

Initial drafts of Defra’s first three Fisheries Management Plans (FMP) have been received.

These are the Crab and Lobster, and Whelk draft plans prepared by Seafish in collaboration with the Whelk Management Group and the Crab Management Group respectively, and the English and Welsh King Scallop draft plan by the Scallop Industry Consultation Group Working Group with support from Seafish. The next stage of the process is for Defra to review and finalise the content of the draft plans and prepare other documents required before the formal public consultation takes place in the next few months. 

Ahead of this, Defra is inviting stakeholders interested in these draft FMPs to join an online session for an overview of key points in the draft plans including initial proposals for management approaches and an explanation of the next steps. There will also be an opportunity to raise points and ask questions through a Q&A.

The session will be held twice on Wednesday 1st March and Thursday 2nd March.

Please visit the King Scallop FMP section on our Fisheries Management Plans page for more details including how to register for an event.

The Marine Management Organisation has finalised dates, times and places for its second round of conversations with south coast fishers about the Channel demersal non-quota species Fisheries Management Plan.

Please visit Channel non-quota species FMP engagement update - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for details including the engagement schedule or visit our dedicated FMP webpage where you can find a link to the engagement schedule.

The Fleet Modernisation round, part of the £100 million UK Seafood Fund, is now open for applications until 31st October 2023 to support the catching sector. 

The UK fishing industry is to benefit from an initial £2 million investment to trial new, greener engines that will reduce fuel costs and help create a safer, more sustainable fishing fleet. Vessels in the small-scale coastal fleet can bid for up to £40,000 to trial hybrid and electric engines, and up to £20,000 to fund replacement petrol and diesel engines that are more environmentally friendly. 

As well as supporting the fishing indsutry to deal with rising fuel costs, the trial aims to gather new data and evidence to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve efficiency and reliability, and help the fishing industry to reach net zero.

This round will be administered by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), more details can be found online on the Infrastructure Scheme webpage and the UK Fisheries Support System (UKFSS) page. 

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), acting on behalf of all four UK Fisheries Administrations have published a call for evidence on a proposal to close UK waters of ICES area 7d and Lyme Bay area of 7e to the king scallop (Pecten maximus) dredge fishery. The proposed closure periods are from 15th May, 1st July or 1st August to 30th September 2023 to EU and UK vessels.

The proposed closure is designed to offer protection for king scallops during their spawning season, support future growth in the population and limit depletion of the stock in area 7e due to displacement of fishing effort. 

Please click here for more information including details on how to respond to the call for evidence. The consultation will close at 11:45pm on 19th March 2023.

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is seeking views on a draft byelaw, and associated Impact Assessment, to manage fishing using bottom towed gear in specified areas in 13 marine protected areas (MPAs). 

This byelaw is part of Stage 2 of the MMO's work to manage fishing in England’s offshore MPAs. Stage 2 focusses on the management of bottom towed gear over rock, and rocky and biogenic reef features. These features are some of the most sensitive to the impacts of bottom towed fishing. A call for evidence on a draft assessment of the impact of bottom towed gear on these features was held between 14 May and 10 July 2022.  

For more information on the formal consultation including how to participate please visit Formal Consultation - MMO management of fishing activity impacts in marine protected areas - Stage 2 - Defra - Citizen Space

 

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is also seeking additional evidence and views on our draft 'Stage 3 Fishing Gear MPA Impacts Evidence' documents in relation to the impacts of fishing on designated features in marine protected areas (MPAs). These documents collate and analyse the best available evidence on the impacts of fishing gears on MPA features and will inform site level assessments of the impact of fishing on MPAs as part of Stage 3 of the MMO’s work to manage fishing in MPAs.

Stage 3 covers all remaining interactions between fishing gear and designated seabed features within MPAs not already assessed in Stages 1 and 2. The impacts of fishing on MPAs designated for marine birds and harbour porpoise will be addressed in a separate Stage 4.

For more information on the call for evidence including how to participate please visit Call for evidence – gear-feature interactions in marine protected areas - Stage 3 - Defra - Citizen Space

Both the formal consultation and the call for evidence close on 28th March 2023.

The MMO are holding a fresh set of quayside conversations with fishers in ports on the south coast to get their views on ongoing development of the Channel demersal non-quota species FMP.

They are particularly interested in what fishers think of the vision and goals proposed for the FMP and any other matters relating to the FMP during sessions to be held in February and March. There will also be sessions online for fishers who may struggle to meet in person.

Further details of the vision and goals, along with more specific information about location and timings for the discussions will be communicated over the coming month. The MMO are encouraging fishers to keep an eye on MMO social media channels, the MMO website and for posters in harbours to find out more. 

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has several current and upcoming general member vacancies in the ten regional Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA) across England.

MMO will be seeking to appoint to fill current vacancies and create a reserve list for upcoming vacancies. These voluntary roles require candidates who can take a balanced approach to caring for our seas, assessing the priorities and needs of all users and stakeholders. It is essential that candidates have some local knowledge of the IFCA area for which they are applying. The members of the IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of their IFCA district.

The MMO are also accepting applications from both current and former IFCA general members who are nearing the end of their ten-year term as well as those members who have left having already served a ten-year term. Applications from these members will be considered alongside all other applicants in a fair an open competitive process and will be appointed on merit to ensure a fair balance of sector representation.

For more information on the role of an IFCA General Member, details of opportunities for specific IFCAs and details on how to apply please visit the MMO website at the link below:
Exciting opportunity to participate in the management of inshore fisheries and marine conservation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Project Kraken is a national campaign led by Border Force which aims to increase viligance and awareness of suspicious behaviour around the UK coastline. Border Force are working together with the community and other law enforcement authorities to help tackle maritime border crime. To find out more or how to report suspicious behaviour, click 'Read more' below and see the  gov.uk website and the Crimestoppers website.

Read More

The Southern IFCA Annual Report for the period April 2021 to March 2022 has now been published on our website! View the Annual Report for April 2021 to March 2022.

The IFCA are required, under the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009), to produce an Annual Report, which seeks to provide an account of the work delivered during the previous reporting year. This report is sent to the Secretary of State annually following the end of the financial year.  

A new page has been launched on the Southern IFCA website to signpost our stakeholders to sources of information on the development of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) under The Fisheries Act 2020. Information is provided on the delivery partners who are working with Defra to develop each of the 'frontrunner' FMPs, updates from those delivery partners and any engagement opportunities. Contact information is also provided for the relevant delivery partner for each FMP.

Please click here to visit our new FMP page and use the clickable links within the page to navigate to information on a particular FMP.

Seafish are currently developing a King Scallop Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). They are looking for you to get invovled during stakeholder events. This work is being led by the Scallop Industry Consultation Group Working Group, an industry-led co-management group. 

Please click here for more details including a list of engagement events

For more information or to register your interest in attending an event please contact fisheriesmanagementplans@seafish.co.uk. 

The process of undertaking the 4th annual surveillance audit for the Marine Stewardship Council certification of the Poole Clam & Cockle Fishery has commenced. In addition, the fishery is also entering the process of re-assessment as the current certification (valid for 5 years) will come to an end in 2023. The audit and reassessment are being carried out by Control Union (UK) Limited.

As part of its work on the new bass fisheries management plan (FMP), Policy Lab will be running a nationwide online debate in which stakeholders from across the sector can get involved to share their ideas for the new FMP. This will take place between Monday 15th - Friday 19th August 2022. Participants take part by anonymously logging onto a platform for around 10 mins each day. While on the platform, they are presented with a series of statements about the bass world and the FMP, which they can vote to agree or disagree with. 

You can sign up by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/bassfmpci. 

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) will publish a new Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) for sea bass in 2023. Defra and Policy Lab are working together to co-create the new plan with a diverse range of individuals and interest groups in this space. 

Policy Lab are running a drop-in session In Poole on 6th July between 10.30am - 3pm at the Quay Cafe to meet with fishers to discuss experiences of bass and perspectives for the new bass FMP.

Please click here for more information.

On Friday the 17^th of June 2022, the 6 week consultation period for the bottom towed fishing gear byelaw review began. 
 

The current byelaw manages the use of bottom towed fishing gear within the district through closure areas and gear restrictions. The consultation takes into account updated evidence and Southern IFCA invites responses from any interested parties until the 1st of August 2022. 

For more information visit our Live Consultations page for the full document and guidance on how to respond to the consultation. 

On Tuesday 7^th June 2022 at Portsmouth Magistrates Court, Viviers (UK) Ltd., Fish and Shellfish Merchants, Camber Docks, Gunwharf Road, Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to 3 counts of storing undersized shellfish on their premises. Charges were laid by the Southern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority and Viviers (UK) Ltd. were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £10,946.00.

Over the last few weeks, Southern IFCA have supported the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on a number of patrols of Studland Bay in order to raise awareness of the recently introduced Voluntary No Anchor Zone. Officers from the MMO engaged with over 70 vessels over the May Bank Holiday Weekend and reported "Approximately only 20% of people we engaged with said they were unaware of the voluntary no anchor zone which is an encouraging step in the right direction."

To read the full MMO blog on the Studland Bay Voluntary No Anchor Zone Patrols, please click here. 

On Wednesday 4^th May 2022 at Poole Magistrates Court, Poole fishermen Andrew Skinner & Reginald Skinner, pleaded guilty to retaining on board their fishing vessel, Lula Bon PE892, a quantity of manila clams that measured below the minimum conservation reference size.  Charges were laid by the Southern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority (Southern IFCA) and both men were ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £4,094.00.