Consultation on the proposed Southern North Sea Demersal Non-Quota Species Fisheries Management Plan

Overview

The purpose of this consultation is to seek your views on the proposed Southern North Sea demersal non-quota species Fisheries Management Plan (FMP), its policies and proposed actions and measures. We are also seeking your views on the likely environmental effects of the Southern North Sea demersal non-quota species FMP, as set out in the environmental report. 

13 demersal 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 properly assess and monitor the state of the stocks. The English Southern North Sea demersal NQS FMP covers the following 13 species within International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) areas 4b and 4c: 

• bony fish (john dory, red mullet, grey gurnard, red gurnard and tub gurnard); 

• elasmobranchs (lesser spotted dogfish and starry smoothhound); 

• cephalopods (common cuttlefish, common octopus, curled octopus, veined squid/long-finned squid, European common squid and common squid).

The Southern North Sea demersal non-quota species FMP sets out a pathway to the long-term sustainable management of the UK fisheries in English waters. The FMP sets out goals for the fishery, and short and long-term actions to achieve them. 

Why your views matter

This consultation is an opportunity for you to help shape and influence the future of  Southern North Sea demersal non-quota species management policy in England and builds upon previous engagement with industry. 

Responses

This consultation will run for 14 weeks, closing at 23:59 on 19 January 2025. You can find the FMP and associated documents in the ‘related’ section at the bottom of this page.

Please read the consultation document before responding to this consultation.

To submit your consultation response please:

• complete the consultation questionnaire through the link below
• or send additional information or documents to the Fisheries Management Plans policy team by email to FMPconsultations@defra.gov.uk
• respond by post using the address below

Fisheries Management Plans team

Marine & Fisheries Directorate

Seacole Building

2 Marsham Street

SW1P 4DF

What happens next

Defra will take time to review and analyse the responses to this consultation.  A summary of responses and government response will be published on GOV.UK in due course.