Formal Consultation, Lyme Bay Potential Management Measures for Sole Fishery
Overview
The MMO is consulting on potential new management measures for the sole fishery in Lyme Bay. This is in response to feedback from some fishers in Lyme Bay who have experienced competition for space and gear conflict. Some fishers also report a reduction in the amount and size of sole caught.
The total available quota for sole in Area 7.e has more than doubled since 2015. This allowed the MMO to increase the monthly catch limits for the non-sector, under-10m and over-10m fleets from 30kg in some months in 2015 up to 3t for some months in 2019 and 2.8t maximum in 2022. The increase in quota availability has led to increased uptake and an increase in the total value earned from sole by those fleets.
The MMO, has however, received reports that the increased availability of quota has resulted in increased fishing activity and a competition for space in Lyme Bay. Some fishers report knock-on effects in terms of gear conflict and a decrease in the number and size of sole caught, and state that this makes it harder for young fishers to enter the fishery.
In order to investigate these reports from fishers, the MMO took a variety of approaches to gather data on different aspects of the fishery in partnership with the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA), Cefas and fisheries stakeholders.
1. Cefas conducted additional fisheries observer trips onboard fixed net vessels in Lyme Bay.
2. Cefas used landings and observer data to analyse the quantity, catch per unit effort and size of sole caught in Lyme Bay and the wider Area 7.e from all gear types going back to 2020. The report can be found on the South West Regional Fisheries Group web-page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/regional-fisheries-groups-south-west-7efg and is attached to this consultation.
3. Southern IFCA and the MMO carried out patrols in Lyme Bay to look for evidence of gear conflict and examine the catches and gear being used in the sole fishery.
4. The MMO conducted a survey of fishers on the social and economic aspects of the fishery. The report can be found on the South West Regional Fisheries Group web-page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/regional-fisheries-groups-south-west-7efg and is attached to this consultation.
Following an analysis of these data gathered, the MMO concludes that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that, in line with the precautionary principal potential management measures in Lyme Bay must be considered. A video summarising the work to date is attached at the bottom of this webpage.
The consultation is in three parts. The first part focuses on gaining views on the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of the fishery, the second part asks for information from commercial fishers and the third part asks for opinion on potential management measures, their area of implementation and any other suggestions for management. This consultation has been developed in partnership with a steering group of fishers, scientists, government policy makers and managers.
Why your views matter
This is an opportunity for you to help shape and influence fisheries management in Lyme Bay and builds on the development of co-management approaches through the Regional Fisheries Groups.
What happens next
An adaptive co-management approach will be taken regarding future management. If management measures are introduced, the effectiveness of those measures will be monitored, from an environmental social and economic perspective and the measures may then be changed or removed accordingly following discussion with stakeholders.
In line with the UK government’s goal to provide world class fisheries management, the effectiveness of the consultation in terms of levels of participation and co-management by industry will also be monitored by an independent party to ensure future management process are refined as necessary to achieve the best possible highest levels of engagement and collaboration as possible.
After the consultation closes the MMO will hold a meeting with interested stakeholders to present the analysed results and discuss next steps. An environmental impact assessment of the different gear types used in the sole fishery in terms of their interaction with the habitats and species in Lyme Bay will also be presented for consideration.
After discussion with industry management measures may or may not be introduced. If measures are deemed necessary, they may be introduced in 2023 or subsequent years depending on the type and complexity of measure.
The MMO looks forward to receiving your response to this consultation and working with industry collaboratively to enhance the fishing in Lyme Bay.
Events
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Mevagissey Port Drop in
From 20 Apr 2023 at 12:30 to 20 Apr 2023 at 14:30Regional Fisheries Group staff will be available at She Sells café to discuss this project and collect your views.
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Brixham Port Drop in
From 3 May 2023 at 09:30 to 3 May 2023 at 11:00Regional Fisheries Group staff will be available at Shipmates café to discuss this project and collect your views.
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Exmouth Port Drop in
From 3 May 2023 at 13:30 to 3 May 2023 at 15:30Regional Fisheries Group staff will be available at Dockside café to discuss this project and collect your views.
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Beer Port Drop in
From 4 May 2023 at 09:00 to 4 May 2023 at 11:00Regional Fisheries Group staff will be available at Duckys café to discuss this project and collect your views.
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Poole Port Drop in
From 10 May 2023 at 09:30 to 10 May 2023 at 11:00Regional Fisheries Group staff will be available Quayside to discuss this project and collect your views.
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Mevagissey Port Drop in
From 10 May 2023 at 10:00 to 10 May 2023 at 12:00Regional Fisheries Group staff will be available at She Sells Café to discuss this project and collect your views.
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Weymouth Port Drop in
From 10 May 2023 at 13:30 to 10 May 2023 at 15:30Regional Fisheries Group staff will be available at The Ship Inn, to discuss this project and collect your views.
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Plymouth Port Drop in
From 10 May 2023 at 15:00 to 10 May 2023 at 17:00MMO staff will be available on the Quayside to discuss this project and collect your views.
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West Bay Port Drop in
From 11 May 2023 at 09:00 to 11 May 2023 at 11:00Regional Fisheries Group staff will be available at Cherries Café DT6 4ER to discuss this project and collect your views.
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Brixham Port Drop in
From 11 May 2023 at 10:00 to 11 May 2023 at 12:00Regional Fisheries Group staff will be available at Shipmates to discuss this project and collect your views.
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Lyme Regis Port Drop in
From 11 May 2023 at 12:30 to 11 May 2023 at 14:30Regional Fisheries Group staff will be available at Beach House Café DT7 3JFto discuss this project and collect your views.
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Axmouth Port Drop in
From 11 May 2023 at 14:00 to 11 May 2023 at 16:00Regional Fisheries Group staff will be available at Chris Café EX12 4AA to discuss this project and collect your views.
Audiences
- Anyone from any background
Interests
- Natural environment
- Local nature partnerships
- Biodiversity
- Ecosystems services
- Green economy
- Sustainable development
- Marine
- Marine Conservation Zones
- Marine licensing
- Fish stocks
- Shellfish
- Sea angling
- Local environments
- Science
- Conservation
- Marine Conservation
- Marine fisheries
- Environmental Stewardship
- Shellfish
- Wildlife management
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