The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is looking for English vessels fishing in the North Sea to take part in three trial schemes designed to help reduce discards and encourage selective fishing.
Vessels taking part in the trials may be fitted with remote electronic monitoring (REM) equipment or be involved in trying out new gear, and may be awarded additional quota in return.
The MMO has run fully-documented fisheries (FDF) schemes, sometimes referred to as catch quota trials, since 2011. As part of these schemes, the REM equipment installed on participating vessels has proven to be a useful tool for gathering scientific information. The MMO has collaborated with the Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (CEFAS) on exploring this use.
The MMO is looking for English boats to apply for two fully-documented fisheries schemes in 2018:
- North Sea FDF
- North East Nephrops FDF
English-registered vessels are also required to take part in the North East Nephrops net selectivity trials, in which new gear with the potential to be more selective will be trialled.
North Sea Fully-Documented Fisheries
To take part in the North Sea FDF trials, a vessel must be English-registered and a member of a PO. In return for taking part in this scheme, vessels will be able to access additional quota for North Sea cod and saithe. In addition, scientific quota may be available.
The aims of the scheme in 2018 are to:
- Test the use of REM as a control and enforcement tool
- Monitor compliance with fisheries legislation
- Test new developments in REM technologies
- Trial the use of inter-species flexibility (ISF)
Vessels are requested to apply by 18 April.
North East Nephrops
This is a new scheme for 2018. To take part, vessels need to be English-registered and work within the North East Nephrops fishery. In return for participation in this scheme, vessels will be able to access additional quota for NS haddock and whiting. In addition, scientific quota may be available.
The aims of this scheme are to:
- Test the use of REM as a control and enforcement tool within the Nephrops fishery
- Monitor compliance with fisheries legislation
- Test new developments in REM technologies
Vessels are requested to apply by 30 April.
North East Nephrops net selectivity trials
This is another new scheme for 2018. To take part, vessels need to be English-registered and work within the North East Nephrops fishery. When applying for this scheme vessels are asked to propose how they might improve their gear selectivity and the methods they will use to do this. In return for participation in this scheme, vessels will be able to access additional quota for NS haddock and whiting.
The aims of this scheme are to:
- Trial the use of highly selective gear to reduce discards and catches of below Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS) fish
- Document the effects of using highly selective gear in this fishery
Vessels are requested to apply by 30 April.
For further information on the scheme, email: ukcatchquota@defra.gov.uk or call 0300 123 1032.
