Minister’s Visit Highlights Collaborative Action on Pollack Conservation

The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner MP, visited Plymouth yesterday (12th May 2025) to meet with representatives of the Pollack Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) project – a ground-breaking collaborative uniting recreational charter skippers and scientists to gather vital data on pollack stocks. The project spurred additional collaborations with the commercial sector to better understand pollack and highlighted the effectiveness of descending devices in catch-and-release angling.

(Left to right: Captain Richard Allan, Cattewater (Plymouth) Harbour Master & Chief Executive; Dave Uren, Skipper of charter boat, Mirage; Minister Daniel Zeichner; Dr. Bryce Stewart, Marine Biological Association; and Dr. Simon Thomas, independent fisheries consultant.)

Hosted by project partners including Dr. Bryce Stewart (Marine Biological Association), Dr. Simon Thomas (independent fisheries consultant), and Dave Uren (Professional Boatman’s Association), the Minister was briefed on how collaborative, evidence-led approaches are helping shape a sustainable future for pollack fisheries.

Collaborative Fisheries Science

The visit underscored the importance of stakeholder-led science. With the 2024 closure of the commercial pollack fishery and growing concerns about the health of pollack stocks, the FISP project focused on filling critical knowledge gaps to support future management decisions.

It’s clear that if we want sustainable fisheries, we must work together – from scientists and anglers to commercial fishermen and policymakers. This project is a model of how we can deliver better data and better outcomes. Whilst the Pollack FISP project has now ended, the team are seeking additional funding to ensure the data collection can continue.

Descending Devices

One positive development discussed during the visit was the growing use of descending devices by recreational sea anglers and charter skippers – an effective tool to return undersized or unwanted pollack caught during catch-and-release trips. These devices help reduce barotrauma and increase the survival rate of released fish

Minister Zeichner received a demonstrating of a descending device and was shown footage of one in action onboard charter boat, Mirage Charters, with skipper Dave Uren.

“Anglers are really stepping up,” said Dave Uren, Skipper of Mirage Charters in Plymouth “We’re seeing strong engagement with descending gear, which is making a real difference in improving survival rates of released pollack.”

The uptake of best practice handling techniques, particularly the use of descending devices, is a clear example of how the recreational community is actively supporting pollack conservation. The Angling Trust received a grant from the Marine Management Organisation’s Fisheries and Seafood Scheme to distribute 80 descending devices to charters and private boat anglers and received almost 500 applications demonstrating high interest from the sector to get involved.

Pollack Pact

The Minister’s visit sparks a continued call to action for recreational anglers to sign up to the Pollack Pact – a voluntary initiative encouraging best practice and responsible handling to help safeguard pollack for future generations. The Minister has previously praised the Pollack Pact

“It’s crucial that everyone plays their part in protecting pollack stocks and I encourage recreational anglers to follow these new guidelines. This government is committed to sustainable fisheries management and we need to see the recreational angling sector stepping up with measures to support pollack recovery.” – Minister Zeichner

The Angling Trust is urging all sea anglers to get involved by supporting the Pact Whether you’re fishing from the shore or aboard a boat, your participation is vital. Pollack is experiencing unprecedented declines and as anglers we all need to play our part in its recovery.

The Pollack Pact encourages anglers to retain a maximum of 5 fish per angler per trip; avoid targeting pollack when they are spawning (Jan – March); adopt a 50cm Minimum Conservation Reference Size; and release unwanted and undersized fish using a descending device.