Fisheries Management Plans – News, videos and updates from Defra's FMP programme

After recent consultation events, four Q&A videos have been produced to support the draft fisheries management plans under review: Cockle, Southern North Sea Demersal Non-quota, Southern North Sea and Channel Skates and Rays, and North Sea and Channel Sprat.

 

The Regional Fisheries Group team has gathered common question areas and shared the answers to help provide clarity on key elements of the plans. The videos feature answers from Defra policy leads, with input from Cefas, AIFCA, and the Marine Management Organisation.

 

Watch the videos here:

• Cockle FMP - RFG Q&A - cockle FMP
• Southern North Sea Demersal Non-quota FMP - RFG Q&A -Southern North Sea demersal non-quota FMP
• North Sea and Channel Sprat FMP - RFG Q&A -North Sea and Channel sprat FMP
• Southern North Sea and Channel Skates and Rays FMP - RFG Q&A- skates & rays FMP

 

For individual consultation information please visit:

• Cockle FMP Consultation
• Southern North Sea Demersal Non-Quota FMP Consultation
• North Sea and Channel Sprat FMP Consultation
• Southern North Sea and Channel Skates and Rays FMP Consultation
• Queen Scallop FMP Consultation

 

All four FMP consultations close at 23:59 on 19 January 2025. If you have more questions relating to the FMPs, please email: FMPconsultations@defra.gov.uk.  

 

For further information, you can visit: Fisheries Management Plans – News and updates from Defra's FMP programme

 

Looking ahead to the next 12 Months at Seafish UK

 

As we wrap up an incredible year, we’re excited to share what’s on the horizon for Seafish UK in the next 12 months. From new launches to international growth, 2025 is already shaping up to be one of our biggest years yet! Here’s what you can look forward to:  New Brand Launch – We’re gearing up to unveil a fresh new brand that reflects our vision and values for the future. Stay tuned!  New Catering Box Packaging – Innovation never stops at Seafish UK. Our new catering box packaging is designed to deliver convenience, efficiency, and a standout look for our customers.  Partnership & Sponsorship – We’re proud to deepen our maritime roots with new partnerships and sponsorships, continuing to connect with the communities that mean so much to us.  4 New Retail Products – The first quarter will see the exciting launch of four new retail products. Keep your eyes peeled for some delicious additions to our range!  Tradeshows & Exhibitions – We’re officially confirmed to attend five major tradeshows next year, taking our products and passion to new audiences.  Trading in a New Continent – 2025 marks the beginning of a new chapter as we take Seafish UK to a brand-new continent. This is a monumental step, and we can’t wait to share updates as we grow.  BFFF Awards – We’re proud to announce we have entered six products for the prestigious BFFF Awards. Fingers crossed for another successful year! From all of us at Seafish UK, thank you for your support this year. Here’s to an exciting and successful 12 months ahead!  Mark your calendars – we’ll be back with more updates and milestones throughout 2025. We hope you’ve all had a wonderful festive season so far and a Happy New Year!

Southern Australian crawfishery - self-introspection.

 The Good,

the Bad

 

and the Ugly.

Merry Christmas!

 

Celebrating £30 million in support provided to the UK fishing and seafood industry in 2024

In 2024 MMO has delivered £30m in funding to support 535 projects nationwide. This grant support has been delivered to industry thanks to a collaboration of teams across the MMO, with funding provided by the government and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

These grant funded projects have collectively helped to empower businesses in the marine and fishing sectors, enhancing their sustainability and strengthening coastal communities across the country. They include: 

Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) 

The scheme provides financial assistance for projects that: 

• Support the development of catching, processing, and aquaculture sectors. 

• Enhance the marine environment. 

Open to a broad range of applicants—from businesses to charities and public organisations - this scheme exemplifies MMOs commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and resilience across England’s seafood supply chain.  

Sharing some feedback from industry, Antony Hosking - owner of two offshore gill netters in Newlyn, comments:  

"I found the FaSS system easy to use and the MMO grants team were extremely helpful when I had questions.  I would definitely encourage people to apply for FaSS grants because I have personally seen the benefits of FaSS funded projects in my local area in both the catching and processing sectors.  Every project that I have had funding for has made a positive impact to my business."

Ross King, Under 10m static gear fisherman from Newquay continues: 

"I would wholeheartedly recommend the FaSS scheme to anyone who is eligible.  Over the last few years I have benefitted greatly with some brilliant projects that I am very thankful for the help and support with.  My business and its working practices have been vastly improved by the MMO funding schemes I have used."

FaSS is currently closed but set to reopen in 2025. People are advised to check MMOs website for future updates. MMO continues to celebrate the positive impact of these grants by sharing Fisheries and Seafood Scheme: Selected case studies. 

UK Seafood Fund – Infrastructure Scheme (UKSF) 

This initiative has been delivered in phases and focuses on modernising the seafood sector through investments in: 

• Upgraded port and harbour capabilities. 

• Processing and aquaculture facilities. 

• Fleet modernisation. 

• Support for recreational sea fishing. 

This funding has not only improved industry capacity but also reinforced the social and economic ties with coastal communities. 

Pollack Compensation Scheme 

Launched on 10 April 2024, the Pollack Compensation Scheme has provided vital assistance to those most impacted by the bycatch-only pollack fishery in the South-West. The scheme was shaped in collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure targeted support for pollack fishers and their livelihoods. 

Paul Errington, MMO Acting Director of Finance and Resources, said:

We’re incredibly proud of the role these grant schemes have played in strengthening the fishing and seafood industry. By working closely with stakeholders, we’ve delivered tangible benefits to our fishers. businesses and communities, supporting their long-term growth and sustainability.” 

For more information about MMO grant support, please visit: www.gov.uk/mmo

Have your say on the future of UK Seafood Careers, by completing this short survey:

 

UK seafood sector survey

The survey aims to understand your experiences working in the seafood sector, including your recruitment into the industry, career aspirations, and the unique opportunities and challenges you face. By sharing your perspective, you will help the government gain valuable insights to inform future planning and support for the UK seafood sector.

Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time. If after completing the survey you decide you would like to withdraw from this study and have your data deleted, you may do this at any time until the end of February 2025 by contacting Ipsos. Details on how to withdraw, including the email address for submitting your request, can be found in the Ipsos Privacy Policy. You do not need to specify a reason for your withdrawal.

The survey will take around 10-15 minutes to complete. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential, and results will only be reported in aggregate form. This means that no individual employees will be identifiable in the results of this survey.

For details about the legitimacy of this survey or to view Ipsos' privacy policy, please click here. You can also find Defra's Research Privacy Notice, which explains how Defra collects and uses personal data for social and user research, by clicking here.

The survey should be completed by individuals currently or recently employed in the fishing, aquaculture or seafood processing industries.

Thank you in advance for your time and valuable input. Your participation will play a key role in shaping future government initiatives to support a thriving UK seafood sector and its workforce. Ipsos, an independent research organisation, has been commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to carry out the survey.

To begin the survey, please click "Next" below.

CFPO - concern over real-world quota repercussions

 

Negotiations: Industry concerns mount over real-world quota repercussions

Fishing industry representatives from Cornwall have expressed mounting concern over negotiations for a UK/EU fisheries agreement for 2025. At stake for the southwest are total allowable catches and quotas for critically important stocks including sole, hake, pollack, haddock, bass, and spurdog.

There are no signs that an agreement is imminent despite a deadline set in the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement for 10th December. By this time last year most of the key decisions had already been made.

Industry anxieties centre on the fear that legal action, by Blue Marine and other environmental NGOs, has spooked UK ministers into avoiding necessary management correctives to headline ICES advice, where mixed fishery issues and socio-economic concerns feature. The EU seems reluctant to follow this hard line approach, hence the standoff.

Paul Trebilcock, Chairman of the Cornish FPO said, "The scientific advice includes a range of catch options consistent with maintaining stock biomass at sustainable levels and it is important for the health of fishing businesses and fishing communities that these are given due weight in the negotiations. Our concern is that ministers are prioritising avoiding NGO criticism over the welfare of the fishing industry. We have no doubt over NGOs' clout in the media and the colossal budgets that supports it. But avoiding management responsibilities carries real-world and political costs."

"Ministers need to be reminded that the outcomes from these negotiations carry real-world repercussions and that the fishing industry will be alert to any sign that the new government is playing fast and loose with its future for fear of criticism from NGOs which, frankly, can be guaranteed anyway. Farmers are not particularly happy with the government at present. Alienating the fishing industry as well would not be a clever move if there are ambitions to be more than a one-term administration."

"For most stocks, following the ICES headline advice makes complete sense. But the scientists do provide alternative options which are also consistent with sustainable outcomes to deal with precisely those stock situations that we currently face in the South West. It is these that are now apparently being ignored for wholly political reasons. That is not acceptable."

CFPO Newlyn, Cornwall. 2024