SWFPA North Sea Nephrops (5 fisheries)

Fishery: SWFPA North Sea Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) Fishery (5 fisheries) 

Status:
The certification body, Moody Marine Certification Ltd, has announced that the fishery has entered full assessment. Initially Moody Marine seeks to open a dialogue with all organisations or individuals with a direct interest in the fishery. 

Anyone wishing to provide comments or information to the assessment process (relevant to the status of the stock, ecosystem interactions or fishery management practices) is invited to contact Dr Andrew Hough.

Please refer to the downloads section for further information.

Last updated: 17 January 2008

Location:
North Sea Sub Area IV a,b, specifically

Management Area F

Functional Unit 9: Moray Firth

Functional Unit 10: Noup

Management Area G

Functional Unit 7: Fladden Ground

Management Area I

Functional Unit 8: Firth of Forth

Management Area H

Functional Unit 6: Farne Deeps

Management:
The North Sea Nephrops fisheries spans Scottish Territorial Waters (where only UK vessels can fish), and areas of sea where vessels from other European Community (EC) Member States can also operate.  Governance of the North Sea Nephrops fisheries is provided by a combination of EC and domestic legislation.

The overall management of the Nephrops fisheries is determined by the EC Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which sets out technical measures and quotas for the fisheries.  The UK’s Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has agreed a Subject Specific Concordat with the Scottish Executive to enforce EC measures within Scottish waters.

The North Sea Nephrops fisheries spans several ICES Management Areas.  The Management Areas relevant to this assessment are Management Areas F, G, and I.  ICES have advised a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the area (including the Farne Deeps) of 26,144 tonnes for 2007, with a UK quota of 22,644 tonnes.  Around 15,353 tonnes of Nephrops were landed from this area in 2005.

Assessment process:
The assessment process is expected to take 12 months. Please see the download section for a detailed assessment timeline.

Client:
Scottish White Fish Producers Association
Mike Park or George MacRae
MacRae Stephen & Company
40 Broad Street
FRASERBURGH
Aberdeenshire
AB43 9AH
Scotland UK
Telephone: +44 01346 514545
Fax: +44 01346 510147
george@macraestephen.co.uk

Initially only fishing boats that are members of SWFPA will be considered, however in the course of the assessment it is possible that further clients may join the client group.

 Downloads:

Announcement: Fishery entering full assessment - posted 17 January 2008