Quota management in the non-sector <10m and >10m pools
Vessels that do not have their quota managed by a Producer Organisation are managed by the Marine Management Organisation via catch limits.
Quota management in the non-sector <10m and >10m pools
Vessels that do not have their quota managed by a Producer Organisation are managed by the MMO via catch limits. Catch limits are set predominantly monthly but are also set weekly or quarterly for some stocks. Vessels are categorised by length; either over or under-10m and all vessels within each length category are bound by the same catch limits.
If a vessel wishes to join the Over-10m Non-sector pool the MMO reserves the right to require that vessel’s licence to bring with it FQA units appropriate to the planned fishing area and gear or equivalent to the English non-sector catch limits in the previous full quota year as per the English quota management rules.
How catch limits are set.
The goal of quota management is to provide sufficient quota throughout the year to suit the needs of all fishers in a sustainable manner. Typically this also means aiming to facilitate maximum profit from available quota with the aim of reaching 95 – 100% uptake by year end. To achieve this catch limits are set by the MMO in conjunction with advice from industry and they may be set such that uptake is equal throughout the year or they can be set to reflect seasonality of stock abundance or fluctuations in market price.
As the year progresses catch limits may be increased or decreased proportional to the amount of quota already used and the potential for acquiring additional quota via trading. The MMO uses quota uptake information and uptake modelling to help decide catch limits but importantly the MMO consults with industry in the following ways:
- A monthly catch limit consultation is posted on the government and MMO webpages:
- Industry meetings are held around the coast in the form of Quota Advisory Groups (QAGs) and in partnership with existing industry organisations
- South West QAG
- South Coast Fishermen’s Council
- South East QAG
- Southern North Sea QAG
South West Quota Advisory Group
The SWQAG aims to represent all fishing activity in the SW of England specifically in Sea Area VII e,f,g.
Attendees represent both under and over 10m vessels, trawlers, fixed netters, handliners and shellfish. The following organisations are represented: Mevagissey Fishermen’s Association, North Devon Fishermen’s Association, SW Hook and Line Association, SW NFFO, Interfish PO, Cornish PO, South West PO, Coastal PO, South Devon Shellfish and Channel Shellfish Association.
The next SWQAG meeting will be held on: 20th August 2020
Minutes from previous SWQAG meetings are here:
Links to previous minutes by meeting
September 2020 accompanying slides
South Coast Fisherman’s Council
South East Quota Advisory Group
The SEQAG aims to represent all fishing activity in the Sea Area VIId (Poole to Dungeness) Attendees represent both under and over 10m vessels, trawlers, fixed netters and handliners. The following organisations are represented: Rye Fisherman’s Association, Hastings Fisherman’s Protection Society, Eastbourne Fisherman’s Association, Newhaven representatives, Newhaven Fish and Flake Ice Society, South East Fisherman’s Protection Association, Brighton Fisherman’s Protection Society, Shoreham Fisherman’s, Protection Society, South East Fisherman’s Protection Association, Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales, South Coast Fisherman’s Council.
The next SEQAG will be held on 19th August.
Minutes from previous SEQAG meetings are here:
Southern North Sea Quota Advisory Group
Contributing to quota management
Minutes from previous Southern North Sea Quota Advisory group meetings are here:
March 2020
August 2020
IVc quota advisory meeting minutes August 2020
2021
Area IVc Quota Advisory Group March 2021
There are no catch limit changes proposed for September please contact E. Baker on the details below if you require any to be actioned in the 1st week of September.
Places are limited at quota advisory group meetings but if you would like to attend a quota meeting, comment on previous minutes or contribute in any other way please contact the MMO inshore quota manager on: Email: - Edward.baker@marinemanagement.org.uk Telephone: - 0208 0269097 / 07884 183765
Last updated 10 March 2021 + show all updates
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Adding Meeting minutes for Area IVc Quota Advisory Group, March 2021
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minutes from recent meetings added to page
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Page updated with SEQAG details
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First published.