Outlined below is the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) for shellfish - but interestingly enough while it covers crab, lobster, and whelk it does not specify spider crab or crawfish - both of which have in recent years attracted boats back into the fishery as stocks and sales opportunities have grown - hopefully, these are being included in the forthcoming discussions.

Spider crab landed in Newlyn.

Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs)

Information on what Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) are, which plans we are helping to develop and opportunities for stakeholder engagement.

This page has information on:

A stack of pots or creels on pier with boat in background

What are FMPs and why are they being developed?

FMPs are evidence-based action plans, developed with input from industry and other stakeholders. They will set out a range of policies – based on scientific evidence – that detail how fishing is managed, by stock, fishery, or location. FMPs will be based on best available science, fisher experience, and policy objectives through participation of key stakeholders. This will include fishermen, researchers and regulators.

"FMPs will provide the framework to build and maintain sustainable UK fish and shellfish stocks. They set out policies for keeping stocks at sustainable levels, or restoring them to sustainable levels where needed. Their purpose is to support a vibrant, profitable, and sustainable fishing industry for current and future generations."

Following Brexit, the UK Fisheries Act 2020 placed FMPs as the main tool for reforming UK fisheries management. The Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) will provide a more detailed, follow-on document from the Fisheries Act when it is published in November 2022. It will set out the final list of Fisheries Management Plans. This will include the chosen stocks, the authorities involved, and the timetable for implementation.

Responsibility for developing FMPs across the UK sits with the following authorities:

In England – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
In Northern Ireland - Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)
In Scotland – Marine Scotland
In Wales – Welsh Government

Once up and running, FMPs will be monitored, reviewed, and adapted as necessary to ensure they are fit for purpose. Effectiveness will be regularly assessed and reported on at least every three years, and reviewed fully every six years (as a maximum). Reports will note progress on the implementation of policies in an FMP and the subsequent effects on sea fish stock levels in the UK.

Photos of scallops shells, lobster on slate, crab on ice and pile of whelks

What are frontrunner FMPs?

Defra is developing six ‘frontrunner’ FMPs, which are being prioritised for delivery in 2023. These plans will cover the following species:

Crab and lobster
Whelk
King scallop
Bass
Channel non-quota demersal stocks
Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel mixed flatfish

These frontrunners will pilot different ways of preparing FMPs in partnership with industry and other stakeholders. Lessons learnt from these projects will help shape future FMP work.

How are we involved in the development of FMPs?

In England, Defra has commissioned us as the delivery lead on two of the six ‘frontrunner’ FMPs that cover English waters only:

The crab and lobster FMP
The whelk FMP

We are coordinating this work through our industry-led advisory groups, you can find out more about these groups from the links below:

We are also supporting the Scallop Industry Consultation Group's Working Group in developing the FMP for king scallop in English and Welsh waters.

Are there opportunities to engage with FMP development?

Yes, stakeholders will be able to engage throughout the drafting process and then comment during the public consultation.  

We are running a roadshow of in-person and online stakeholder engagement events for the plans we are working on in autumn 2022. The timetable of these events are below:

Please note, we have now added dates for crab, lobster and whelk events, further details on times and locations will be added here shortly.

Engagement area	Related FMP	Meeting date and time	Event location
Shoreham-by-Sea	King scallop	Tuesday 27 September 5pm to 7pm	The Gather Inn, 330 Kingsway, Brighton and Hove, BN3 4LW
Brixham	King scallop	Wednesday 5 October 10am to 12pm	BTA Training Room, The New Fish Quay, Brixham, TQ5 8AW
Plymouth	King scallop	Thursday 6 October 10am to 12pm	Auction Room, Fish Quay, Plymouth, PL4 0LH
Western Channel online event	King scallop	Tuesday 11 October 2pm to 3.30pm	Online via Microsoft Teams
Hartlepool	King scallop	Thursday 13 October 5pm to 7pm	Hodgsonfish, Fish Quay, Hartlepool, TS24 0JH
Bangor	King scallop	Tuesday 18 October 5pm to 7pm	Ssestiniog Suite, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG
Eastern Channel online event	King scallop	Wednesday 19 October 2pm to 3.30pm	Online via Microsoft Teams
North Sea online event	King scallop	Thursday 27 October 2pm to 3.30pm	Online via Microsoft Teams
Kircudbright	King scallop	Wednesday 2 November 5pm to 7pm	Selkirk Arms Hotel, High St, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4JG
Peterhead	King scallop	Thursday 3 November 5pm to 7pm	Palace Hotel, Prince St, Peterhead, AB42 1PL
Weymouth	Whelk	Tuesday 8 November 10am to 12pm	Best Western Hotel Rembrandt,12-18 Dorchester Rd, Weymouth, DT4 7JU
Salcombe	Crab	Tuesday 8 November 4pm to 6pm	Salcombe Yacht Club - Cliff House, Cliff Rd, Salcombe, TQ8 8JQ
Ilfracombe	Crab & whelk	Wednesday 9 November 10am to 12pm	The Royal Britannia Hotel, Ilfracombe, EX34 9EE
Wider stakeholder engagement event	King scallop	Wednesday 9 November 11am to 12.30pm	Online via Microsoft Teams
Irish Sea/Celtic Sea/Wales online event	King scallop	Wednesday 9 November 2pm to 3.30pm	Online via Microsoft Teams
Padstow	Crab	Wednesday 9 November 4pm to 6pm	Padstow Harbour Hotel, Station Road, Padstow, PL28 8DB
Newlyn	Crab	Thursday 10 November 1pm to 3pm	Wheal Betsy room, The Centre Newlyn, Chywoone Hill, Newlyn, Penzance, TR18 5AR
Bridlington	Crab	Tuesday 15 November 5pm to 7pm	Bridlington Spa, South Marine Drive, Bridlington, YO15 3JH
Amble	Crab	Thursday 17 November 5pm to 7pm	The Radcliff Room, Charles Rd, Amble, Morpeth, NE65 0RA
Drop in session 1 (all areas)	Crab	Friday 18 November 2pm to 3:30pm	Online via Microsoft Teams
Shoreham-by-Sea / Eastbourne	Crab	Tuesday 22 November 1pm to 3pm	Shoreham Yacht Club, 85/89 Brighton Road, BN43 6RF
Wider stakeholders engagement event	Whelk	Tuesday 22 November 1pm to 2:30pm	Online via Microsoft Teams
Shoreham-by-Sea / Eastbourne	Whelk	Tuesday 22 November 4pm to 6pm	Shoreham Yacht Club, 85/89 Brighton Road, BN43 6RF
Drop in session 2 (all areas)	Whelk	Wednesday 23 November 2pm to 3:30pm	Online via Microsoft Teams
Wider stakeholders engagement event	Crab	Thursday 24 November 1pm to 3pm	Online via Microsoft Teams
Fleetwood	Whelk	Tuesday 29 November 4pm to 6pm	The Queens Hotel, Beach Road, Fleetwood, FY7 8PR
Drop in session 3 (all areas)	Crab	Thursday 1 December 2pm to 3:30pm	Online via Microsoft Teams
Drop in session 4 (all areas)	Whelk	Wednesday 7 December 2pm to 3:30pm	Online via Microsoft Teams
Wells	Whelk	Tuesday 13 December 5pm to 7pm	Wells Maltings, Staithe Street, Wells-Next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1AU
Cromer	Crab	Wednesday 14 December 5pm to 7pm	Oddfellows Hall Lifeboat Plain, Sheringham, NR26 8BG

The in-person events are drop-in. If you would like to attend an online event, please contact our Fisheries Management team using details below and they will provide a link for access.

Contact our Fisheries Management team

If you have a query or you would like to attend an event, please contact our Fisheries Management team by emailing fisheriesmanagementplans@seafish.co.uk