Consultation on the proposed Crab and Lobster Fisheries Management Plan

Overview

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 data to properly assess and monitor the state of the stocks.  

The Crab and Lobster FMP sets out a pathway to the long-term sustainable management of crab and lobster fisheries in English waters. Feedback from engagement with industry has shown that there is a need for better management of the crab and lobster fisheries in England. The FMP collates the evidence to assess the status of crab and lobster stocks and crab and lobster fisheries around England, identifies existing management measures and sets out short- and long-term actions to manage the crab and lobster fisheries.

Why your views matter

This consultation is the opportunity for you to help shape and influence the future of crab and lobster management policy in England and builds upon previous engagement with industry.  

The consultation survey has four parts: 

1. Personal details and confidentiality (required) 

2. Questions on the proposed Crab and Lobster FMP 

3. Questions on the Crab and Lobster FMP environmental report 

4. Consultee feedback on the Online Survey (required) 

You only need to respond to the questions that you wish to answer. There is a mixture of general and specific questions. Defra welcomes any further information and evidence to support this work - you can supply that directly via FMPconsultations@defra.gov.uk. However, all respondents must complete the required 'Consultee Feedback on the Online Survey' and ‘personal details and confidentiality’ sections before you are able submit your response to the online survey.  

You can find the FMP and associated documents in the ‘related documents’ section at the bottom of this page. Please pay particular attention to the consultation document which summarises the FMP, includes the consultation questions and provides context.

What happens next

Defra will take time to review and analyse the responses to this consultation. These will then be published alongside the final FMP.