The UK authorities state that a number of vulnerable fisheries stocks will benefit from additional protection with the implementation of new legislation that brings in a range of short-term management measures for certain species of fish.
The legislation was presented to Parliament this week and these measures are seen within the first Fisheries Management Plans (FMP) as a priority to help provide additional protection to vulnerable stocks. These measures come into effect on 16th December and include specific restrictions on fly-shooters.
Under the new requirements, 100mm becomes the standard mesh size for fly-shooters in the English waters of areas 7d and 7e, while engine power restrictions are also imposed on fly-shooters with engine power over 221kW operating in these areas.
In addition, the new legislation introduces new minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) for lemon sole (250mm), turbot (300mm), and brill (300mm) in the English areas of 7d and 7e.
There is an increase to the existing MCRS for crawfish in all English waters to 110mm the UK-EU annually negotiated catch limits for commercially caught bass are removed from secondary legislation so that they can be updated through fishing licence conditions.
