Quota cap removed removed from 440 under-10m boats - temporarily!

A hollow victory given that many species are running under 50% but a victory for common sense nonetheless!

MMO/Defra news:

Defra and the MMO have decided to temporarily remove the quota cap which was placed on 440 under-10m vessels with effect from 1st March 2023 for the remainder of the 2023 Fishing Year. Defra intend to have made a final policy decision in respect of the cap before the start of the 2024 Fishing Year. The cap restricted the total amount of quota species that could be landed in a year to 350kg. The cap was put in place to remove latent capacity in the fleet.

Additional quota derived from leaving the EU and an increasing need for the under-10m fleet to diversify enabled the temporary removal of the cap on a trial basis during 2020, 2021 and 2022 fishing years. Following a review of these trials Defra and the MMO have decided to temporarily remove the cap for the remainder of 2023. 

All English under-10m vessels that have their catch limits managed by the MMO will now be able to fish up to the monthly limits published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/current-catch-limits-10-metres-and-under-pool/current-catch-limits-10-metres-and-under-pool-2019

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch,