Public consultations on two joint Wales and England Fisheries
Management Plans (FMPs) have been published today.
The two plans focus on king scallops and seabass and are included
in the first group of FMPs in the UK to be consulted on.
FMPs will set out the policies and strategic direction for the
management of fisheries to ensure fish stocks are restored and
maintained at sustainable levels.
Each FMP will specify the fish stock, type of fishing,
area covered, authority responsible and the indicators to be used
for monitoring the effectiveness of the plan.
Taken together, the creation of the Fisheries Act, the Joint
Fisheries Statement and FMPs will create a step change in
fisheries management in the UK.
The FMPs published today are the first of 43 to be published over
the next six years in the UK.
The consultation, running from 17 July to 1 October 2023, will
welcome views from all those interested and affected by the
proposed policies.
, Minister for Rural
Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd said:
“I am pleased to be launching these consultations jointly with
the UK Government following close collaboration. King scallops
and seabass have been prioritised because of their importance to
Wales and potential vulnerability.
“These FMPs reflect the devolved nature of fisheries, whilst
recognising the benefits of joined up working. We all want to see
fishing industries which are sustainable and environmentally
responsible, as well as economically viable and thriving.
“I want to thank everyone, including the industry, who have
engaged with us during the development stage and I now look
forward to hearing views on the proposals we have set out.”
Notes to editors
The King scallop consultation can be found here.
https://www.gov.wales/king-scallop-fisheries-management-plan
https://www.llyw.cymru/cynllun-rheoli-pysgodfeydd-cregyn-y-brenin
(links live on Monday)
The Seabass consultation can be accessed here.
https://www.gov.wales/bass-fisheries-management-plan
https://www.llyw.cymru/gynllun-rheoli-drafft-pysgodfeydd-draenogiaid-mor
(links live on Monday)
Notes
A key component of the Fisheries Act 2020, these FMPs were a
commitment in the Joint Fisheries Statement, published in
November 2022 and are the first of 43 FMPs to be published in the
next 6 years.
