Transparency data

15 May 2026: King Scallop Implementation Group (KSIG) meeting minutes

Updated 22 July 2026

This meeting was held online via Microsoft Teams on Friday 15th May 2026 (09:00am to 10:30am).

Attendees

• Annabel Stockwin – Defra, Acting Chair
• Katie Haldenby – Defra
• Ed Moseley – Defra
• Foster Gault – Seafood Ecosse, Scottish White Fish Producers Association
• David McCandless – North Eastern Inshore Fishery and Conservation Authority
• Robert Enever – Fishtek Marine
• Alice Chamberlain – WWF-UK
• Andrew Brown – Clearwater
• Fiona Nimmo – Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) representative
• Callum Williams – Marine Management Organisation (MMO)
• Bill Brock – Leach Fishing
• Stuart King – West Coast Sea Products
• Juliette Hatchman – South West Fish Producers Organisation (SWFPO), Scallop Industry Consultation Group (SICG)

Apologies

• David Beard – Manx Fish Producers Organisation
• Harry Owen – Western Fish Producers Organisation
• Mark Duffy – Natural England
• Helen Hunter – Defra

Agenda

• Welcome, apologies, minute taker, review of actions from November meeting
• Additional eNGO group member update
• Multi-Year Strategy (MYSt) update and working with the European Union (EU)
• Stocktake and reflections on KSIG and Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) implementation
• A.O.B
• Review of final actions and close

1. Welcome, apologies, minute taker, review of actions from November meeting

The Acting Chair opened the meeting and welcomed new members. Alice Chamberlain has taken over from Clarus Chu as WWF-UK rep. Martin Underwood, the previous Chair, has now left the role and Ed Moseley was introduced to the group as his replacement as the new Head of Non-Quota Species (NQS) in Defra.

Members completed several actions from the previous meeting, including circulating closure guidance, updating the Terms of Reference, and progressing the management options matrix. There are still outstanding actions which have been rolled over.

2. Additional eNGO group member update

Defra updated the group on appointing an additional environmental representative. The team received three expressions of interest.

Defra decided not to share applications with the group and instead to assess them internally against agreed criteria. A separate internal reviewer will assess the applications independently, and the team will moderate final scores. Defra adopted this approach to maintain neutrality and avoid perceived bias.

Defra expects to make an appointment before the next KSIG meeting.

Discussion

Members noted the approach and highlighted the importance of selecting a representative who can engage constructively with industry.

3. MYSt update and working with the EU

Defra explained that it is changing how it plans to take forward scallop management.

This reflects a wider shift across government towards working more closely with the European Union (EU) on NQS. Both the UK and the EU recognise that these fisheries are a high priority, and that current arrangements do not fully support sustainable management.

Defra also noted that changes in the marine environment, including shifts in where species are found and new pressures on stocks, mean that fisheries need to be managed in a more joined-up and longer-term way.

As a reminder, the UK and the EU agreed to develop a pilot Multi-Year Strategy (MYSt) for king scallops. This will start in the English Channel, where the stock is shared.

Defra explained that this work builds on earlier joint work between the UK and EU. This includes an expert group that has looked at the science, data and existing management on both sides. Defra expects to share the findings from that work with stakeholders by the end of June.

Defra confirmed that it has already used the high-level management options developed through KSIG to support early discussions with the European Commission. These discussions remain at an early stage and have focussed on potential options as developed by the KSIG workshop last year..

Looking ahead, Defra and the EU now want to move this work forward more quickly. Both sides aim to produce a first draft of a joint strategy by the end of 2026, ahead of annual fisheries negotiations.

To do this, Defra will need to work more closely with the European Commission. This will involve developing more detailed options together and exploring where it might be beneficial to the UK and the EU to take a joint approach to managing the fishery.

Defra explained that this approach is different from the original plan to set out management options for a public consultation. Instead, Defra will now use the options already developed through KSIG to support discussions with the EU at an earlier stage. Management options will continue to be refined by KSIG.

Defra made it clear that stakeholder input on FMPs is highly valued. Defra will continue to work with UK stakeholders and KSIG to support a collaborative approach to FMP delivery, within the constraints of ongoing engagement with the EU. KSIG will continue to play a key role by helping to shape the UK position, including working through what management approaches best support the industry as discussions with the EU progress.

Defra emphasised that this does not replace domestic decision-making. The UK will still need to go through its usual processes, including getting ministerial agreement, taking legal advice, and consulting publicly if required before making changes. Defra also confirmed that it could still take action in UK waters unilaterally if needed and where appropriate.

Defra highlighted that working more closely with the EU could make it easier to manage shared stocks in the long term. In particular, agreeing approaches together could reduce practical barriers between UK and EU waters and support more consistent management.

Defra acknowledged that this approach will affect how it works with stakeholders. Some discussions with the EU will take place in closed settings, which means Defra will not always be able to share detail at every stage.

However, Defra confirmed that stakeholder input will remain important, particularly in refining options and understanding how they would work in practice. Defra will continue to provide updates, seek views where needed, and develop a broader plan for stakeholder engagement as this work progresses.

Discussion

A range of views was expressed during the discussion, which the points below reflect.

Change in approach and pace of delivery

Members saw the update as a significant shift from the previously expected approach of progressing domestic measures and consultation. They raised concern that this could slow delivery and reduce momentum built through KSIG and earlier work.

Timelines and implementation risks

Members questioned the impact on timelines and noted that engagement with the EU could extend delivery timescales. They highlighted potential implications for fisheries improvement work and certification, noting that delays to FMP implementation could affect progress under the Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP).

UK position and domestic flexibility

Members stressed that outcomes must reflect the needs of UK fisheries, including regional differences and non-shared stocks. They emphasised that the UK should retain the ability to implement appropriate domestic measures where needed.

Stakeholder engagement and role of KSIG

Members raised stakeholder engagement as a key concern. They noted that updates alone would not provide sufficient involvement and asked for meaningful opportunities to contribute, particularly where industry expertise can inform practical delivery. Members called for a clear and timely engagement approach.

Transparency and information sharing

Members asked Defra to clarify what information it has shared with the EU and what it will be able to share with stakeholders going forward, recognising that some constraints will apply.

Scope and next steps

Members asked whether some FMP measures could still progress domestically alongside EU discussions to avoid delays. They also requested clarity on how devolved administrations and regional considerations will be reflected.

Defra acknowledged these points and confirmed we want to work with the group to develop how engagement with stakeholders will need to evolve going forward. Defra reiterated that stakeholder input remains important and that it has not ruled out any options.

4. Stocktake and reflections on KSIG and FMP implementation

The group did not reach this item. The Acting Chair agreed that this agenda item will be revisited at a later date.

5. A.O.B

The group did not reach this item.

6. Review of actions and close

The Acting Chair thanked members for their contributions and recognised the strength of views expressed. Defra agreed to carry out further work to clarify timelines, engagement arrangements and next steps.

Actions

Action: Mark Duffy to reflect the trials in the North East Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority district in the low impact scallop harvesting task and finish group proposal by June 2026.

Action: Members to review the renewed low impact scallop harvesting task and finish group proposal produced by Mark Duffy and provide feedback.

Action: Helen Hunter to confirm volunteers and convene the task and finish group on partnership working.

Action: Katie Haldenby to circulate the roadmap of the FMP workstream when it is available.

Action: Defra to continue developing plans on KSIG input regarding the MYSt workstream.

Action: Defra to investigate what information can be shared regarding recent discussions with the EU and, if possible, share a high-level summary.

Action: Defra to share the expert group report from the MYSt once it has been finalised.

Action: Defra to confirm the timeline for developing a harvest strategy.