The government has limited the amount of small-eyed ray (RJE) that can be caught in the western English Channel. This is to allow scientists to learn more about this fish.
Scientists are looking for commercial fishermen who fish close to shore to help them gather information. They want to know what other types of skates are in the area, along with the size, sex, and biology of the small-eyed ray itself.The scientists from Cefas will be working with fishermen all along the western English Channel, focusing on these four specific areas:
(a) Mounts Bay area (southern part of ICES Rectangle 29E4)
(b) St Austell Bay to Whitsand Bay area (within ICES Rectangle 29E5)
(c) Bigbury Bay to Start Bay area (within ICES Rectangle 29E6)
(d) Lyme Bay area (within ICES Rectangle 30E7)
You'll use your knowledge of small-eyed ray and other inshore ray species to help scientists catch them for data collection.
Scientists want to know:
- What other types of skates and rays are caught in specific areas (weight by species). They'll record the exact location (latitude, longitude, and depth) where you catch fish.
- The size (length) of male and female small-eyed ray, and whether they're kept or thrown back (discarded).
- How many fish you catch and discard on each trip, and how much effort you put into fishing (e.g., number of hooks used, fishing time).
- You might also help collect biological samples from the fish, as agreed with the scientists.
- You can fish your usual spots, following local fishing rules.
- You can land some of the fish you catch for the program, but there's a limit per trip, month, and boat.
- Any small-eyed ray you land counts towards the total allowed catch (quota) for the area.
- Before starting, you'll attend a short training session to learn how to collect data and agree on a detailed plan with scientists.
To participate, you must:
- Have at least 3 years of experience catching skates and rays in the specific areas they're interested in.
- Have a quota for the area (SRX/67AKXD).
- Be flexible to collect samples throughout a period to be agreed upon.
Note: There might be more details about specific requirements in the application materials
Defra will prefer applications from those inshore vessels most affected by the current restrictions on landing small-eyed ray.To register your interest, please email procure@cefas.gov.uk as follows by Wednesday 22 May 2024 at 23:00.
I would like to register to receive an application pack for the self-sampling scheme for small-eyed ray in the western English Channel, ICES division 7e. The area I am interested in is:
a) Mounts Bay,
b) St Austell Bay to Whitsand Bay
c) Bigbury Bay to Start Bay or
d) Lyme Bay (please select as appropriate).
Only those who register an interest will be provided with an application pack.
Timeline
May 10th – Opening Date to register interest.
May 22nd – Closing date to register interest (by 23:00)
May 23rd – Application Pack issued to those registered.
June 2nd – Closing date for submitting applications (by 23:00)
June 17th to 21st – Vessels selected and advised
Early July – Scheme to commence (after letters of dispensation issued and Detailed Operations Plan agreed)
Only those who register an interest will be provided with an application pack.
Timeline
May 10th – Opening Date to register interest.
May 22nd – Closing date to register interest (by 23:00)
May 23rd – Application Pack issued to those registered.
June 2nd – Closing date for submitting applications (by 23:00)
June 17th to 21st – Vessels selected and advised
Early July – Scheme to commence (after letters of dispensation issued and Detailed Operations Plan agreed)