Sea Anglers, Have Your Say! Channel Demersal Non Quota Species (NQS) Fishery Management Plan Engagement Roadshow

Are you a sea angler, charter boat skipper or tackle shop owner based along the Channel? The Marine Management Organisation want to hear from you as part of the ongoing developing of the Channel Demersal Non-Quota Species (NQS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

The Channel Demersal NQS FMP will be a regional plan focused on ICES divisions 7d (eastern channel) and 7e (western channel) and will cover demersal species such as red, tub and grey gurnards, cuttlefish, squid, octopus, john dory, red mullet and lesser spotted dogfish​. This is your opportunity to shape fisheries management in this region for these species and share your views.

This FMP is one of 43 Fishery Management Plans to be developed under the Joint Fisheries Statement to support sustainable fisheries and deliver for coastal communities. The Channel demersal NQS FMP will be among the first of six frontrunner FMPs being developed with an aim to publish the plans at the end of 2023.

The Marine Management Organisation is currently working with stakeholders in commercial and recreational fishing, 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 non-quota species in the Channel was highlighted as a necessary move because of concern about potential over-exploitation of some stocks and a lack of data about non-quota stocks in general.

Further details for planned engagement and how to participate can be found here, including venue information. Representatives from all stakeholders are welcome to attend all sessions. The MMO are also delivering engagement sessions in the evenings intended to help recreational anglers who may be working during the day. These include:

• Mon 20 Feb – 7pm-9pm – Poole – Broadstone Conservative Club
• Wed 22 Feb – 7pm-9pm – Arundel – Comfort Inn
• Thu 23 Feb – 7pm-9pm – Hove – Deep Sea Angling Club
• Tue 7 March – 7pm-9pm – Falmouth – Chainlocker Pub
• Thurs 9 March – 7pm-9pm – Looe – Venue TBC

In addition to the above sessions, the MMO are also hosting quayside sessions:

• Tues 21 Feb – Rye, Hastings, Gosport, Poole
• Wed 22 Feb – Portsmouth, Hastings, Selsey, Arundel
• Thurs 23 Feb – Shoreham, Eastbourne, Brighton, Newhaven, Hove
• Tues 7 March – Weymouth, Lyme Regis, Falmouth
• Wed 8 March – Newlyn, Lyme Regis, Axmouth
• Thurs 9 March – Fowey, Exmouth, Looe, Plymouth
• Fri 10 March – Mevagissey, Brixham

For those unable to attend in-person, online sessions are currently planned for:

• Monday 20th Feb
• Wednesday 22nd Feb
• Tuesday 7th March
• Thursday 9th March

The Angling Trust will also be hosting a Virtual Sea Angling Forum with the Marine Management Organisation on Thursday 16th March at 7pm for engagement with the recreational sea angling community to voice their views and raise questions with the MMO directly. More information will be shared on this shortly.

More information on the Channel Demersal Non-Quota Species Fishery Management Plan can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/channel-demersal-non-quota-species-fisheries-management-plan