Research and analysis

Quota application mechanism (QAM) pilot 2024 assessment

Published 21 August 2025

Applies to England

Executive summary

The quota application mechanism (QAM) pilot 2024 represents a significant evolution in England’s approach to sustainable fisheries management. This report assesses the performance of 2 quota recipients under the pilot, focusing on the environmental, social, and economic impacts of their operations. The findings indicate that both recipients have demonstrated commendable innovation and responsibility, aligning with the UK’s broader objectives for sustainable fisheries, community development, and economic resilience.

1. Environmental impact assessment

The environmental contributions of the QAM pilot participants were substantial and multifaceted, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainable fishing practices and marine conservation. 

1.1 Gear selectivity and bycatch reduction

Both recipients employed selective mesh panels, Dyneema netting, and nets fitted with separators and escape panels, which have been shown to reduce bycatch and improve target species selectivity. These measures are important in minimising catches of more vulnerable stocks. The use of bird scaring lines, weighted lines, and gear deployment in low light conditions demonstrates a proactive approach to reducing seabird bycatch. Additionally, electronic pingers and magnet deterrents trialled under the CIBRiNNA project show innovation in mitigating marine mammal and shark interactions.

1.2 Technological integration

Advanced technologies such as ground discrimination multibeam echosounders, drop-down cameras, transducers on nets, and latest sonar systems were employed to enhance fishing precision and reduce habitat impact. These tools enable skippers to make informed decisions, avoiding sensitive benthic habitats and reduce unnecessary gear deployment.

The use of mid-water pelagic trawls and short tows further minimises seabed contact, aligning with best practices for habitat protection.

1.3 Monitoring and research collaboration

Participation in the Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships (FISP) self-sampling project, the Clean Catch app, early adoption of the UK government remote electronic monitoring (REM) trial, and collaboration with scientists to address endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species bycatch underscore a strong culture of transparency and continuous improvement.

Efforts to quantify and benchmark gear contact and explore Active Selection (ActSel) systems are also being made by a participant, reflecting a forward-looking approach to gear innovation and impact reduction.

2. Social and economic impact assessment

The QAM recipients have made notable contributions to social sustainability, particularly in terms of employment, training, and community engagement.

2.1 Employment and local recruitment

Applicants who supported local employment were more likely to receive quota through the QAM pilot, creating an incentive to reduce reliance on migrant labour.

Applicants who were awarded quota have access to additional fishing opportunities had they not applied to the pilot, providing greater employment prospects and job certainty for their crew.   

2.2 Training and career development

Participants invested in workforce development through training trust funds, cadet sponsorships, and onboard safety committees. These initiatives not only enhance safety and operational standards but also provide clear career pathways for new entrants, including factory and deck hands and engineering officer cadets.

2.3 Group engagement

Engagement in community promotional events, MSC certification groups, and the development of a data sharing agreement with Cefas highlight a commitment to transparency, stakeholder collaboration, and public trust.

2.4 Economic output and local investment

The 2 quota recipients had a combined landings value of approximately £960,000 from the stocks allocated through QAM. The operational models employed (utilising local ports, berthing and pilotage services, road haulage, cold storage, and customs agents) encourages economic benefits of this landings value to be retained within the UK. The models support a wide range of ancillary services, from medical providers to taxi companies, reinforcing the role of fisheries as economic anchors in coastal communities.

2.5 Market stability and value retention

By catching the full range of sizes and retaining all catches, the  recipients contribute to fully documented fisheries and reduced waste. Fish below minimum legal size  or damaged are offered to inshore fishermen as bait (after a sales note has been generated), supporting circular economy principles.

The presence of UK-based processing businesses linked to one of the recipients further enhances value retention and supports domestic food supply chains, including fishmongers and food service providers.

2.6 Export and regional development

Export activity in local regions can demonstrate an area’s viability as a seafood export hub. For instance, one recipient reported expenditure of £1.36 million over a 2 year period, including costs associated with the export of goods. Therefore, quota caught through QAM can have wider economic influences than just the local economy, aligning with the government’s growth plan and supporting the UK’s post-Brexit trade ambitions.

Conclusion and recommendations

The QAM pilot 2024 has delivered demonstrable environmental, social, and economic benefits through its 2 quota recipients. Their operations reflect a high standard of sustainability, innovation, and community integration. Key strengths include:

• improved gear selectivity and bycatch mitigation
• strong partnerships with scientific and regulatory bodies
• local employment and training initiatives
• economic contributions to coastal businesses

Recommendations and feedback from stakeholders for future QAM developments include:

1. supporting the scale-up of REM, catch accounting and self-sampling initiatives to enhance data quality and compliance
2. expanding the tonnage available and variety of stocks involved to encourage wider participation
3. incentivise broader adoption of gear innovations and modifications
4. include non-sectoral and Crown Dependency fishers into the scheme

Overall, the QAM pilot proved to be a valuable test for aligning quota allocation with sustainability and community benefit objectives. Continued refinement and expansion of this model could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of UK fisheries. With expansion of QAM policy, more in-depth evaluation of policy processes and impacts will be considered.

Disclaimer

The figures within the assessment above refer to benefits or outputs as a result of trial participants receiving QAM quota. These may differ to the statements or figures in the table below which may refer to the applicant’s outputs on a wider scale.

Benefits and statements listed by participants in the QAM pilot 2024

Environmental statements listed in the applications

Statements	Evidence
Use of trawl/pair seine vessels with selective mesh panels	Photographic evidence
Catch monitoring systems	Photographic evidence
Dyneema netting	Internal invoice
5/6 bladed multi propulsion propellers	Photographic evidence
Ground discrimination multibeam echosounders	Photographic evidence
Shorter trips	E-log data
Work with partners on quantifying and benchmarking trawl and pair seine gear contact	A presentation
Participation in a FISP self-sampling project	A presentation
Gillnetters/liners with smaller engines per unit tonnage	An internal spreadsheet
Bird scare weighted lines, gear deployment in low light conditions and dim lighting	A presentation and written evidence
Offal management	A presentation
Vertical net retrieving	Written evidence
Electronic pingers	Photographic evidence
Trialling of magnets as deterrent mitigation under the CIBRiNNA project	A signed confirmation letter
Work with scientists to address ETP bycatch, the application of mitigation measures, and improve fishing effort estimations from VMS/AIS data	A signed confirmation letter
Use mid water pelagic trawls that do not introduce risk to benthic habitats	Video evidence
Latest echo sounder and sonar technology to compliment Skipper’s knowledge	Photographic evidence
Drop down cameras used before shooting gear	Photographic evidence
Nets fitted with separators and escape panels	Documentation and written evidence
Scoping options to develop a version of the Active Selection (ActSel) system	A presentation, video and written evidence
Acoustic deterrent devices and electromagnetic devices to deter shark species	Photographic evidence and internal invoices
Short tows	Elog data
Transducers on the net	Photographic evidence and written evidence
Retaining and land all catches	Video evidence
Early adopter of the UK government REM trial	Email correspondence

Social statements listed in the applications

Statements	Evidence
Landing into the UK	eLogbook landing data
Linked fish processing business being based in the UK	Companies House information
Job security through reduced costs through leasing in fish (more attractive to recruiting local crew)	Fish Leasing form
Training trust fund	An internal invoice
Community promotional events	Video evidence
Participation groups, such as Clean Catch, MSC certification, etc.	An internal presentation, communications and group member lists
Majority of crew sourced from the Humber region	Economic link data
Formal contracts and our T&Cs are fully compliant with ILO C188	Compliance documentation
Company Safety Officer	Internal documentation and written evidence
Formal safety management committees to ship’s officers	Meeting minutes
Convene onboard safety committees	Meeting minutes
Recruit and train new entrants as factory and deck hands	Employment evidence
Recruit Deck and Engineering officer cadets and sponsor them through training to Foundation Degree level	Signed confirmation letter and internal spreadsheets
Led the development of a data sharing agreement between the PFA and Cefas	Internal communications

Economic statements listed in the applications

Statements	Evidence
Employment effect of 7.9 FTE at sea and 20.7 FTE onshore	Calculation set out within the application’s text
£2.17 million overall economic output	Calculation set out within the application’s text
Employment effect of 0.5 FTE at sea and 1.3 FTE onshore	Calculation set out within the application’s text
£140,596 overall economic output	Calculation set out within the application’s text
UK-based linked processing businesses, which also supply food service and fish mongers	Sales and purchase notes
Saved lease costs	Fish Leasing form
Catching the full range of sizes (helps to stabilise the market)	Written evidence
Land fish into Grimsby	Landing data
An operational model using local ports, berthing and pilotage services, shipping agents, stevedores, road haulage and cold storage companies	Internal invoices and written evidence
Engaged customs agents, Port Health Authority officials, ship’s chandlers, medical services and taxi companies as required to support our operations	Internal invoices
Contributed £1.36 million to the local economy	Internal spreadsheet
Export activity demonstrates the viability of the Humber region as an export hub, supporting existing employment and create the potential for future job opportunities in the area	Export load records
Catch and produce fish for human consumption only	Written evidence
Land all that we catch	Video evidence
Offer fish below minimum size or damaged to English inshore fishermen to use as bait for their fishing operations	Email correspondence