The purpose of this consultation is to seek your views on the proposed Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel mixed Flatfish Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) and the policies and proposed measures it contains. We are also seeking your views on the likely environmental impacts of the FMP set out in the environmental report.
The Flatfish FMP applies to lemon sole, witch, turbot, brill, dab, flounder, Atlantic halibut, plaice and sole in English waters within International Council for...More
The purpose of this consultation is to seek your views on the proposed King Scallop Fisheries Management Plan (FMP), its policies and proposed measures. We are also seeking your views on the likely environmental impacts of the King Scallop FMP set out in the environmental report.
King scallops have been prioritised due to the stock’s vulnerability to over-exploitation, the economic value of the fishery and a lack of evidence to properly assess and monitor the state of the stock. ...More
The purpose of this consultation is to seek your views on the proposed Crab and Lobster Fisheries Management Plan (FMP), the policies and proposed measures it contains. We are also seeking your views on the likely environmental impacts of the Crab and Lobster FMP set out in the environmental report.
The FMP has been prioritised for early development due to the vulnerability of these stocks to over-exploitation, their economic value, and the need for more evidence and...More
The purpose of this consultation is to seek your views on the proposed Whelk Fisheries Management Plan (FMP), its policies and proposed measures. We are also seeking your views on the likely environmental impacts of the whelk FMP set out in the environmental report.
Whelks were prioritised for an FMP due to the stock’s vulnerability to over-exploitation, the economic value of the fishery and a lack of evidence to properly assess and monitor the state of the stock.
The Whelk...More
The purpose of this consultation is to seek your views on the proposed Bass Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) and the policies and proposed measures it contains. We are also seeking your views on the likely environmental impacts of the Bass FMP set out in the environmental report.
Bass contributes culturally, socially, and economically to coastal communities through, for example, employment and recreational fishing interests. However, a combination of overfishing and poor year class...More
The purpose of this consultation is to seek your views on the proposed Channel Demersal Non Quota Species Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) and the policies and proposed measures it contains. We are also seeking your views on the likely environmental impacts of the FMP set out in the environmental report.
Nineteen demersal non quota species (NQS) were prioritised for an FMP due to their vulnerability to over-exploitation, the economic value of the fisheries and a lack of evidence to...More
Following consultations in 2019 and 2021, the UK Government and Devolved Administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales confirmed in March 2022 the proposals to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging. Since then, we have been working to develop the draft Regulations which will introduce the measures set out in the Government Response of March 2022.
We remain committed to introducing measures that work for business, local government, the...More
Discarding is when unwanted catches of fish are thrown back to sea, dead or alive, during commercial fishing operations. This is a complex problem with no easy solution. There is a discarding ban in place, called the landing obligation, but it has not been effective in changing fishing practices. We need a different approach.
The discards reform consultation sets out proposals to change the way we manage discards in England. This will contribute to achieving the bycatch objective of...More
Proposals for expanding the use of remote electronic monitoring in English waters
This consultation launches Defra’s vision for expanding the use of remote electronic monitoring in English waters. It proposes an approach to the long-term adoption of remote electronic monitoring that moves from pilots to fishery wide implementation alongside policy reforms such as Fisheries Management Plans and a new approach to managing discards . It is part of an ongoing package of...More
An effective cattle [1] traceability system is essential to control the spread of infectious diseases. Failure to do so can have a devastating impact on the economy, international trade, and public health. The Foot and Mouth outbreak of 2001 resulted in over 6 million cattle and sheep being culled and was estimated to have cost the UK economy £8 billion [2] .
When we can identify and trace cattle to a location, we have...More