Alternative ways of managing English fishing quota
Published 4 June 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
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Defra committed to considering alternative ways of managing fishing quota in England and crown dependencies, as part of the government responses to both the 2020 quota consultation and the 2022 quota consultation. This includes looking into the use of community quota schemes and an application-based system of allocation.
Cornwall community fishing quota trial
Defra invited applications to take part in a community quota trial. A group based in Cornwall was chosen from the 5 applications received.
The group consists of Cornwall Council, the Cornish Fish Producer Organisation and the Duchy Fish Quota Company.
Aims of trial
The keys aims of the trial include:
- supporting new entrants
- supporting fisher progression in the industry through quota access
- incentivising the use of more sustainable techniques and gears
The trial will run from 2024 for three years.
Cornish group quota management plan
Further details will be shared in a Cornish group management plan.
Quota application mechanism pilot 2024
After consultation and stakeholder engagement the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Defra have launched a pilot which allocates quota via an application process.
The pilot is open to producer organisations with English members to apply directly for a share of English quota.
The quota being made available for 2024 includes 200 tonnes of North Sea Cod, 1000 tonnes of North Sea Herring and 300 tones of North Sea Nephrops.
The pilot will be based on answers to environmental, social and economic questions as part of the application process. The highest scoring applicants will be awarded quota.
Participants will be asked to feed into an evaluation process to assess its success against the wider objectives for sustainable management of fisheries in line with the Joint Fisheries Statement.
Read how to apply for the quota application mechanism pilot 2024.