Norwegian fi sheries management, our approach on discard of fi sh

The point of this report is to highlight the need for an integrated and flexible approach to managing mixed fisheries - which in the case of many UK fisheries are extremely mixed.

Sustainable management of modern fisheries:

The management of modern fisheries has a number of objectives. The most basic 
objective, upon which the others must be based, is to manage the fisheries in such a way that the fish resources can be sustained at a viable level both biologically and economically. In order to achieve a sustainable harvest, the Norwegian management of living marine resources is based on the best available scientific advice. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) plays a critical role in assembling and analysing information about the status of fish stocks and the provision of scientific advice on management measures.

NEW DATA NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW ON THE MARINE PLANNING PORTAL

More data has now been added to the Marine Management Organisation’s interactive and online map.

Once registered, users can select (fixed and mobile fishing gear and intensity) and then use the boxes to add comments directly to the web site.

Be sure to register with the marine planning portal which allows anyone logging on to view a range of information and locations – from details of wind farm developments to conservation areas - even fishing operations – and understand how busy our seas have become.


New information has just gone live for the following uses:

· Marine Protected Areas

· Defence and national security 

· Energy production and infrastructure development

· Ports and shipping

· Marine aggregates

· Marine dredging and disposal

· Subsea cables

· Fishing activity

· Aquaculture

· Tourism and recreation

· Marine ecology and biodiversity

· Historic environment.

Plan-making is already underway in the East Offshore and East Inshore marine plan areas - from Flamborough Head to Felixstowe – with a total of 10 marine plans to be drawn up for England over the next decade to inform and guide marine regulators and users.


The planning portal offers an easy way to be involved and contribute to marine planning. Using the controls, you can locate and then zoom in on particular areas or activities by selecting the specific data you want to see. You can also post comments and make suggestions on new data or information to inform the plans in the East of England, which are expected to take two years to finalise.


We hope as many people as possible will get online, look at the map and share any insights they may have on the evidence we will be using. The MMO will also be running a series of workshops in the East of England over the coming year which will provide opportunities for others, including those who are not online, to have their say.


You can also contact the planning team by telephone on 0191 376 2790, or email: planning@marinemanagement.org.uk

MCZs - Marine Conservation Zones are here!

Make sure to visit the new interactive web site for the latest chart information regrading MCZs........

An example from the new interactive MCZ site - simple registration required first.

Sure to provoke a huge debate the proposed MCZ (Marine Conservation Zones) zones made public today have been published on line for the first time. After consultations spread over several years and involving thousands of respondents from Kayakers and Surfers to Divers, Anglers and Fishermen, Natural England together with the regional bodies Balanced Seas, Finding Sanctuary, Net Gain and Irish Sea Conservation Zones have delivered the basis for managing the environment and conservation areas at sea here in the South West and elsewhere.