MMO Fisheries Management Plan Updates

Bass FMP

Bass authorisation review

Background

The bass fishery is managed through a range of measures designed to protect stocks and ensure sustainability. These measures were introduced following concerns about declining stocks caused by years of poor recruitment and high fishing pressure. Current measures include:

• Minimum Conservation Reference Size
• Domestic authorisations for commercial bass fishing
• Seasonal closures for both commercial and recreational fishers
• Landing and bycatch limits across all sectors

In December 2023, the bass FMP was published. It sets out how we will manage bass sustainably for the long term. One key action of the FMP is to review the system for authorising commercial fishing vessels to land bass.

Stakeholder Involvement

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) led this review with help from a group of commercial and recreational fishermen, regulators and environmental groups. They met over multiple meetings and gathered views from nearly 300 stakeholders at 20 coastal events. This input has been central to shaping the review’s outcomes.

Key Outcomes

The review has produced 24 recommendations aimed at improving sustainable fishing opportunities, supporting adaptive management, and strengthening evidence-based decision-making for bass stocks.

Important note: These recommendations do not represent the official position of Defra or MMO at this stage. They are proposals developed through stakeholder engagement and will now enter a formal decision-making process. While not all recommendations may be adopted, this process ensures each is carefully considered.

The recommendations also align with broader FMP goals, such as reducing bycatch and discards, improving data collection, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the bass fishery. Key proposals include:

• Increasing the number of authorisations to land bass
• A scheme providing access for young people wishing to enter the fishery
• Allowing fishers the option to switch from fixed gillnet authorisation to hooks and lines
• Gear trials - including an Inshore drift netting scientific trial
• Establishing a working group to review demersal trawls and seines
• A trial bycatch allowance for non-authorised fixed gillnet fishers
• Development of an accredited hook to plate bass fishery
• Adjustments to engine power and vessel size restrictions
• Streamlining the administrative process

Next Steps

All outputs from the review remain subject to a formal decision-making process led by Defra and the Bass Management Group. This process may include further consultation, evidence gathering, and assessment of wider impacts before any decisions are made.made.made.

• Bass Authorisation Review Report (PDF, 1.12 MB, 88 pages)
• An Overview - Bass Authorisation Review (Infographic) (PDF, 1.38 MB, 1 page)
• Outlining the recommendations of the bass authorisation review - video

King Scallop FMP

King Scallop closure guidance document (PDF, 606 KB, 26 pages)

Introduction

The king scallop Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) recognises the use of closures as a management tool and includes specific actions to develop a sound evidence base for the use of closures as a measure to protect stocks, along with principles or criteria around when and where closures may be appropriate.

Background

Closing a fishery to protect stocks is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. This scallop closure guidance document has been developed by MMO, in conjunction with the king scallop implementation group, to summarise the analysis and criteria to be applied when considering closures, as set out in the FMP. This collaborative approach is intended to help create clear guidance around the use of closures as a management tool and provide a clear process and use of evidence for decision making.