Policy paper

Fisheries management plans: policy information

Updated 1 March 2024

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fisheries-management-plans/fisheries-management-plans

The UK government has responsibilities under international law and is committed to managing our fisheries in a sustainable way. Meeting our responsibilities will support vibrant, profitable, and sustainable fishing industries alongside a healthy and productive marine environment. 

The Fisheries Act 2020 provides the framework to manage our fisheries as an independent coastal state outside of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The act requires the UK fisheries policy authorities (Defra, and the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) to publish fisheries management plans (FMPs) to help deliver our ambition for sustainable fisheries. 

The Joint Fisheries Statement lists 43 proposed FMPs. Some FMPs will be developed jointly by 2 or more fisheries policy authorities, whilst others will be developed by a single authority for its own waters.

What an FMP is

FMPs are evidence-based action plans, developed in collaboration with the fishing sector and other stakeholders. Their purpose is to deliver sustainable fisheries for current and future generations. 

Each FMP will specify the stocks, type of fishing and the geographic area covered, as well as the authority or authorities responsible and indicators to be used for monitoring the effectiveness of the plan. 

Once published, FMPs will inform a wide range of relevant fisheries management actions. There will not be a ‘one size fits all’ approach to our FMPs – they will be designed according to the specific needs of their stocks, fisheries and location. Therefore, FMPs will vary in their content and format because our fisheries range from stocks whose management is well understood, to complex mixed fisheries with many stocks in whole sea areas.

How the plans work

FMPs assess the status of stocks, and must set out policies to restore stocks to, or maintain them at, sustainable levels. Each FMP will set out goals and the actions needed for their achievement. The precise mechanisms needed will depend on the goals set out in the plan. Defra (and the other national fisheries authorities) will coordinate the implementation of the plan.

FMPs will be delivered through a wide range of actions, such as drawing upon existing measures or, if needed, developing new regulations or technical measures. The plans may also progress using non-statutory routes, such as research plans, voluntary agreements and codes of conduct.

After publication, each plan will remain a live document that will be monitored, reviewed, and adapted as needed. Management actions will be updated when necessary to ensure the FMP meets its goals.

Preparing the plans

Defra is responsible for preparing and publishing plans. We are working collaboratively with delivery partners and the fishing sector on our FMPs. We will also seek views from other marine industries, policy makers, scientists and environmental groups when preparing FMPs. 

This represents a significant shift in our approach to fisheries management, with a greater emphasis on stakeholder participation and collaboration. We recognise the importance of enabling those with a stake in the fisheries to participate in the management of those fisheries.

Publishing the plans

Once drafted, FMPs must go through a public consultation, giving all interested parties the opportunity to give their views. 

Once finalised, for FMPs relevant to English waters, Defra will then seek approval from the Secretary of State to publish the FMP (although for FMPs produced jointly with other fisheries policy authorities, Defra will act jointly with the other relevant authority to publish the document). 

Planned publication dates for FMPs are set out in the Joint Fisheries Statement.

Recent FMPs

We consulted on the first 6 FMPs between July and October 2023.

The first 5 plans were published in December 2023:

The Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel mixed flatfish FMP will be published in 2024.

FMPs in development (for publication in 2024)

Defra is preparing the next 5 FMPs for English waters for consultation. These plans will be published by the end of 2024:

FMPs in development (for publication in 2025)

Defra is preparing a further 4 FMPs which will be published by the end of 2025. Our delivery partners are leading on the preparation of these plans.

Black seabream FMP

The black seabream FMP will cover International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) divisions 4b, 4c, 7a, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7h, 7g and 7j (English waters).

The draft FMP is being prepared by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

To register your interest, email fmp@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal FMP  

The Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal FMP will cover stocks in English and Welsh waters within ICES divisions 7e 7f, 7g and 7h.

The plan will include the following species:

  • blue ling
  • cod
  • deep water sharks
  • haddock
  • megrim
  • four spotted megrim
  • monkfish and anglerfish
  • nephrops
  • plaice
  • pollock
  • red seabream
  • round nose grenadier
  • saithe
  • skates and rays
  • blonde ray
  • cuckoo ray
  • sandy ray
  • shagreen ray
  • small-eyed ray
  • spotted ray
  • thornback ray
  • sole
  • whiting

The draft FMP is being prepared by the MMO.

To give your views or register your interest in future engagement events for the Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal FMP, email fmp@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Celtic Sea and Western Channel pelagic FMP  

The Celtic Sea and Western Channel pelagic FMP covers ICES Celtic Sea and Western Channel divisions (7e, 7f, 7g and 7h – Welsh and English waters only).

The plan will include the following species:

  • anchovy
  • greater silver smelt
  • herring
  • horse mackerel
  • pilchard

The draft FMP is being prepared by Defra.

To give your views or register your interest in future engagement events for the Celtic Sea and Western Channel pelagic FMP, email cswcpelagicfmp@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Wrasses complex FMP

The wrasses complex FMP covers ICES divisions 4b, 4c, 7a, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7h, 7g and 7j (English waters).

The draft FMP is being prepared by the MMO.

To register your interest, email fmp@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Further information

If you want to find out more, contact Defra’s FMP team by emailing FMPs@defra.gov.uk, or contact one of our delivery partners to find out more about a specific FMP, by using the links above.

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