Misidentification affects many species. To address this issue, some fisheries management plans (FMPs) have proposed the creation of species identification (ID) cards.
These cards will help fishermen identify and report species more accurately, which is important for monitoring catches and understanding the fisheries.
Help us build a better picture together
At the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), we’re working with the fishing industry to improve our understanding of important quota and non‑quota species.
Through this work, we’ve seen how valuable accurate species information is. Non‑quota species are sometimes recorded using general codes or are mistaken for similar species—something that’s understandable given how alike some of them look.
Making species ID easier
To support you, MMO has developed a set of simple, practical species ID cards.
Our cards for cuttlefish and octopus have already been in use over the past year, and we’re now expanding the range to include sharks, gurnards and squid.
Cards include:
- Clear features to help you identify species quickly
- The correct species code for accurate recording
- Some similar species to watch out for
They’re designed to be quick to use, whether you’re at sea, on the quay or in the marketplace.
Why it matters
Getting species identification right helps build a clearer, more accurate picture of what’s being caught. This supports:
- Better, evidence‑based fisheries management
- Sustainable stocks for the long term
- Stronger representation of your fishery
- Identification of new fishing opportunities
Your knowledge and experience are key to making this information as accurate as possible.
How you can get involved
Everyone handling these species can play a part—fishermen, buyers and sellers alike.
- Use the ID cards to check species and record the correct codes
- Share them with colleagues and crew
- Keep them handy for quick reference when needed
Find the cards on our FMP Updates page.
You can save them digitally as PDF files or take a screenshot to keep in your phone’s photos.
You can also print them, but if you’d like free printed copies, contact your local MMO office and they’ll be happy to provide them.
Working together, we can improve the data we rely on and support a strong, sustainable future for the fishing industry.
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