Transparency data

18 December 2024: King Scallop Implementation Group (KSIG) meeting minutes

Published 11 July 2025

This meeting was held online on Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 18 December 2024 (10:00am to 11:30am UK time).

Attendees

• Martin Underwood – Defra, chair
• Annabel Stockwin, Helen Hunter, Katie Haldenby – Defra
• Callum Williams – Marine Management Organisation (MMO)
• Mark Duffy – Natural England
• Sophie Bennett – Seafish
• David Beard – Manx Fish Producers Organisation
• Bill Brock – Leach Fishing
• Stuart King – West Coast Sea Products
• Claire Pescod – King Scallop Fishery Improvement Project
• Foster Gault – Seafood Ecosse, Scottish White Fish Producers Organisation
• Harry Owen – Western Fish Producers Organisation
• David McCandless – North Eastern Inshore Fishery and Conservation Authority
• Tom Beresford – Amethyst Fishing Company Ltd
• Robert Enever – Fishtek Marine
• Clarus Chu – WWF–UK
• Juliette Hatchman – South West Fish Producers Organisation (SWFPO), Scallop Industry Consultation Group (SICG)

Apologies

• Andrew Brown – Macduff Shellfish
• Lewis Tattersall – Seafish

Agenda

1. Defra welcome, housekeeping and introductions
2. Fisheries management plan (FMP) overview and update
3. Terms of reference (ToR)
4. Any other business

1. Defra welcome, housekeeping and introductions

The chair welcomed members to the meeting. Members introduced themselves sharing their interests and what they would bring to the group. The broad membership representation was noted although it was recognised that the group’s membership should be kept under review as the group progresses.

Defra noted that with the current makeup of the group, there are 2 spaces open to members representing the under 15 metre fleet. Suggestions were welcome for representatives that could approach Defra to fill these spaces.

2. FMP overview and update

Defra ran through the FMP’s objectives and an update on steps taken to implement the plan including:

• establishing this working group
• creating a closure strategy guidance document – to be shared in February
• consideration of a harmonisation of measures document to be shared in January and covered at the next KSIG meeting

The harmonisation of measures document is a Seafish paper outlining all current measures in and around English and Welsh waters and potential measures. This will be shared with the group and discussed at the next KSIG meeting.

An update was provided for the development of input and output controls. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) have commissioned a report due in February and to be shared ahead of next KSIG meeting.

Work on benthic impacts is under way and Defra is working with Natural England to review and scope out the work.

KSIG members asked for the brief or specifications that were given to Seafish and Cefas for the work they are undertaking on harmonisation of measures and input and output controls and noted they would want to input into these in future.

Defra noted that scoping and commissioning for the above work were carried out before the formation of the KSIG due to time pressure. Any future scoping of such work would be carried out with the group.

Disappointment was expressed that there was not any inclusion of co-management or economic viability of the industry in the presentation slides despite specific commitments in the FMP in relation to both aspects. Defra explained that this was just a brief snapshot of progress so far and it was not intended to list all the FMP priorities and welcomed contributions to the draft ToR that would be circulated.

3. Terms of reference (ToR)

When discussing the possibility of the members taking turns in being the chair, concerns were raised about the chair setting their own agenda and not being impartial. It was put forward that the chair be completely independent of scallop fisheries and that the chair should be in position for a year to ensure consistency and continuity.

Defra said that the chair’s purpose is to be independent with the KSIG steering the agenda. This point will be raised again when Martin steps down as chair. Views were welcomed from the group on the draft ToR that would be circulated.

The group is to oversee and support progress on the FMP actions. The draft ToR would reference these, and the group was invited to comment when it is circulated.

Regarding information sharing and transparency, members asked that it be made explicitly clear when information can be shared and when it was agreed to go seek wider voices, such as from industry. Defra agreed that this will be made clear.

Defra proposed that the meetings will take place 4 times a year (February, May, August and November) some in-person meetings. Locations and dates to be confirmed.

The ToR were planned to be sent out by the end of the week with the minutes following shortly afterwards. Members were asked to read, suggest additions or changes and submit any comments to the group.

4. Any other business 

None raised.

Actions

Defra (Helen Hunter) is to send project specifications to the group. Due January 2025.

Defra (Katie Haldenby) is to email KSIG members asking for dates and locations. Due December 2024.

All members should read and comment on the ToR for the KSIG. Due 17 January 2025.

Claire Pescod, Juliette Hatchman and Foster Gault are to map out the different scallop groups (for example, the Project Steering Board (PSB), SICG, Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) and find out what each group’s role and purpose is and then establish how the groups interlink. Are there any that overlap? How do they feed into each other? This information will be presented to the group at the next KSIG. Due 12 February 2025.

Callum Williams (MMO) is to share closure strategy document. Due end of February 2025.

Defra (Katie Haldenby) is to share Cefas report. Due February 2025.

Defra (Katie Haldenby) is to share the Seafish report on harmonisation of measures. Due end of January 2025.