Today (16 October) we are laying legislation in Parliament which brings a number of the fisheries management measures set out in the first published Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) into law.
Subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, the following measures will come into force on 16 December 2024 which means:
- The introduction of new minimum landing sizes (minimum conservation reference size - MCRS) for lemon sole (250mm), turbot (300mm), and brill (300mm) in the English waters of the Channel Sea (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea areas 7d and 7e) (Channel demersal non-quota species FMP, and Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel mixed flatfish FMP), and an increased MCRS for crawfish to 110mm (Crab and lobster FMP) in all English waters to protect the juveniles of all these stocks from being landed before they have matured.
- The introduction of a restriction on the engine power of vessels (greater than 221 Kw) using flyseining gear (fishing with an encircling and towed net, operated from a boat by means of two long ropes (seine ropes) designed to herd the fish towards the opening of the net) in the English territorial waters of the Channel Sea. This is to help manage fishing effort on demersal non-quota species in inshore fishing grounds (Channel demersal non-quota species FMP).
- All vessels using flyseining gear will also have to use a larger mesh (100mm minimum) as standard in the English waters of the Channel so that smaller, juvenile fish can escape (Channel demersal non-quota species FMP).
- Finally, this new legislation will allow commercial catch limits for bass to be updated promptly in fishing licences following international negotiations, so they are in line with evolving evidence. This is instead of having to change legislation, which takes time. (Bass FMP).
Any changes to fishing gear and/or fishing practices to comply with these new measures will need to be made for the 16 December 2024.
Keep checking the blog for further updates on FMP implementation.
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