1. Quota Management:
- Each Party can transfer up to 10% of its unutilized quota to the following year, with specific rules for bilaterally shared stocks and stocks with zero catch advice from ICES .
- Parties may authorize fishing beyond their quota by up to 10%, with deductions applied to the following year's quota .
2. Total Allowable Catches (TACs):
- Specific TACs were established for various species, including whiting in the Celtic Sea and plaice in the English Channel, with detailed allocations for both the UK and EU .
- The TAC for Celtic Sea whiting was set at 4,810 tonnes for bycatch in certain areas, while the TAC for area 7d was agreed at 27,564 tonnes .
3. Access Arrangements:
- Access arrangements for albacore were agreed, allowing for an initial total of 280 tonnes to be targeted in each Party's exclusive economic zone, with potential for in-year adjustments .
4. Data Exchange and Reporting:
- The Parties committed to improving the electronic exchange of data for management and control purposes, ensuring efficient data-sharing to mitigate regulatory divergence .
5. Consultative Stocks:
- The Parties acknowledged their obligations to provide sufficient notice before setting or amending TACs for consultative stocks, as outlined in the TCA .
6. Inter-Annual Flexibility:
- The document emphasizes the importance of inter-annual flexibility in quota management to enhance the effectiveness of fisheries management .
7. Prohibited Species:
- Updated lists of prohibited species were exchanged, ensuring both Parties are aligned on management practices .
8. Future Discussions:
- The Parties agreed to continue discussions on various matters, including access arrangements and quota management, through the Specialised Committee on Fisheries (SCF) .
Overall, the document reflects a collaborative effort to manage shared fish stocks sustainably while accommodating the interests of both the UK and EU fishing industries.
The key quota decisions affecting Area VII, particularly for 2025, are as follows:
Celtic Sea Whiting:
The Parties agreed on individual catch limits under the Celtic Sea whiting TAC (WHG/7X7A-C) for whiting in areas 7d and 7b-c, e-k. ICES issued zero catch advice for whiting in areas 7b-c, e-k for 2024, leading to an agreed bycatch TAC of 4,810 tonnes for these areas. The TAC for area 7d was set at 27,564 tonnes as part of trilateral consultations between the UK, EU, and Norway . English Channel Plaice:
The Parties agreed to exchange quotas, with the UK receiving 360 tonnes of quota from the EU in area 7e, while the EU receives 360 tonnes from the UK in area 7d .
Access Arrangements:
Access arrangements for albacore (ALB/AN05N) were established, allowing each Party to target an initial total of 280 tonnes of albacore in its exclusive economic zone. This arrangement is set to remain in place until 31 December 2025 .
Quota Transfer Mechanism:
A mechanism for voluntary in-year transfers of fishing opportunities was noted, allowing each Party to transfer unutilized quantities of up to 10% of its quota to the following year . These decisions reflect a collaborative approach to managing fish stocks in Area VII, ensuring sustainability while accommodating the needs of both the UK and EU fishing fleets.
A mechanism for voluntary in-year transfers of fishing opportunities was noted, allowing each Party to transfer unutilized quantities of up to 10% of its quota to the following year . These decisions reflect a collaborative approach to managing fish stocks in Area VII, ensuring sustainability while accommodating the needs of both the UK and EU fishing fleets.
