Guidance

Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) development

The Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) covers English and Welsh waters within ICES areas 7e, 7f, 7g and 7h.

It includes demersal species blue ling, cod, deep water sharks, haddock, megrim, four spotted megrim, monkfish and anglerfish, nephrops, plaice, pollack, red seabream, round nose grenadier, saithe, skates and rays, blonde ray, cuckoo ray, sandy ray, shagreen ray, small-eyed ray, spotted ray, thornback ray, sole and whiting.    

This FMP is one of 43 FMPs to be developed under the Joint Fisheries Statement to support a sustainable and profitable fishing industry. The Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal NQS FMP is among the Tranche Four of the FMPs being developed, with an aim to publish the plan at the end of 2025. 

MMO will work with stakeholders from commercial and recreational fishing sectors, environmental organisations and other key marine bodies to understand their views, particularly on which species should be a priority, potential management changes and sustainability. 

Development of a plan specifically for demersal species in the Celtic Sea and Western Channel was highlighted by the fishing industry and other key marine stakeholders as a necessary move because of concern about potential over-exploitation of some stocks.

If you are interested in the Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal FMP and want to be included in our stakeholder communications please send your details in confidence and a summary of your particular interest to [email protected].

Terms of Reference

Working Group 2

Working Group 1

Updates to this page

Published 16 April 2024
Last updated 13 December 2024 + show all updates
  1. Update 13/12

  2. Working group minutes

  3. Small amends

  4. Update 24 October 2024

  5. First published.

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