Common Fisheries Policy: Implementation of the pelagic landing obligation (discard ban) in England

Overview

Consultation Summary

Seeking views on the proposed method to implement the pelagic landing obligation, also known as a discard ban, in England.

Consultation description

We are seeking views on how we should implement the pelagic landing obligation in England. The pelagic landing obligation is a ban on discarding of fish. All fish caught in pelagic fisheries must not be returned to the sea, except when subject to specific exemptions. The ban will come into force on 1 January 2015.

In particular, we are seeking views on proposed changes to:

• quota management
• access to exemptions
• monitoring and enforcement
• catch management

If you are unable to respond online, you can respond:

• via email to: cfp.consultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk; or
• in writing to: CFP Reform Implementation Team, Sea Fisheries Conservation Division, Defra, Area 8A, 9 Millbank, c/o 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR

This is 1 of 3 consultations we are asking you about as part of the new Common Fisheries Policy. The other 2 consultations in this package are:

• the UK’s proposed strategy to implement the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
• proposed changes to the current fish labelling domestic legislation in England, and new domestic legislation on marketing standards in England and Wales for fishery and aquaculture products