Measures to ensure cuttlefish in the English Channel are not over-exploited are being put in motion by the MMO, although these fall short of introducing formal management at present.
In December 2023, the Channel Demersal NQS FMP highlighted the cuttlefish fishery as a data poor species which has no formal ICES stock assessment. The FMP further identified the fishery as being of high economic importance and a critical targeted fishery at risk of over exploitation.
The MMO was subsequently directed by Defra to develop a cuttlefish action plan, a specific short-term measure from the Channel Demersal NQS FMP, which covers English waters ICES divisions 7d and 7e.
Reviewing stakeholder responses and analysis of landings data led to the conclusion that there is no clear indication that the fishery is being exploited beyond sustainable limit.
The long-term aim of the action plan is to deliver sustainable exploitation of the cuttlefish fishery, the action plan aims initially to introduce greater monitoring and data collection to help inform future management.
MMO has developed a series of actions under the FMPs sustainable fisheries, social and economic and evidence goals for the cuttlefish fishery in English waters of ICES divisions 7d and 7e. The rationale for the action plan is to consider the measures proposed for cuttlefish in the FMP, in particular to increase and improve quality of data monitoring and fill evidence and data gaps.
Further aims are to improve egg survivability and protect juveniles to support future cuttlefish repopulation and collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and improve the future versions of the action plan.
