Transparency data

Third meeting of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries on 27 April 2022 - minutes

Updated 14 March 2024

Date: Wednesday 27 April 2022

Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm BST / 10:00am to 2:00pm CEST

Venue: London and Virtual (UK host)

Item 1: Opening of the Specialised Committee meeting and adoption of the agenda

The UK, as host, welcomed both delegations to the third meeting of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries (SCF). The Parties exchanged opening remarks where they recognised the importance of the SCF as a forum for cooperation for the management of shared stocks. The Parties adopted the provisional agenda for the meeting adding one item of Any Other Business (item 9) requested by the EU delegation.

Item 2: Guidelines for setting TACs for Special Stocks – for exchange of views

The Parties recognised the value of discussions to date which have allowed a better understanding of respective positions on this issue. Both Parties will continue these discussions, with a view to concluding on this matter in advance of the 2023 EU-UK Annual Fisheries Consultations.

Item 3: Mechanism for transfer of fishing opportunities between the parties – for agreement

The Parties agreed that a mechanism for in-year transfers of fishing opportunities between the Parties should operate according to the principles set out in the tabled document. The parties agreed to reflect together on, and take forward, the appropriate approach for formalising and implementing the agreement.

Item 4: Protocol for notifications under Article 496 (3) TCA – for exchange of views

The Parties exchanged views on this and agreed that both Parties would work together in seeking to adopt an agreed notification process by the fourth SCF meeting in July.

Item 5: Timetable for approach to Celtic Sea Technical Measures – for agreement

The Parties agreed to the tabled timetable, with some adjustments and additions, for developing an assessment approach and new technical measures to reduce Celtic Sea cod catches in areas with the highest cod catches and abundance. The timetable envisages joint work under the remit of the Working Group between now and the fifth SCF meeting in October, with a progress update to the fourth SCF meeting in July.

Item 6: ICES requests (terms of reference)

The Parties exchanged views on terms of reference and identified priorities for joint requests to ICES for advice.

6a. Mixed fisheries science – for exchange of views

The Parties will endeavour to agree a draft terms of reference before the fourth SCF meeting in July.

6b. English Channel (7DE) Plaice – for agreement

The Parties agreed on the tabled draft terms of reference. The UK will draft a joint letter to ICES and will share it for the EU to review.

6c. Lemon Sole and Witch – for agreement

The Parties agreed on the tabled draft terms of reference. The UK will draft a joint letter to ICES and will share it for the EU to review.

6d. Turbot and Brill – for agreement

The Parties agreed on the tabled draft terms of reference. The UK will draft a joint letter to ICES and will share it for the EU to review.

6e. Other ICES requests – for update

On Celtic Sea Whiting, the Parties agreed to continue discussions on the possible need for additional ICES advice.

On Skates and Rays, both Parties agreed to continue discussions, including on the possible involvement of ICES.

The Parties agreed to continue work on a terms of reference on discard survivability.

The Parties reaffirmed that they would prioritise the improvement of the ICES assessment tool for seabass and will continue discussions on a terms of reference to ICES.

Item 7: Approach to conservation and management of non-quota stocks – for exchange of views

The Parties agreed to develop a programme of work for multi-year strategies for shared non-quota stocks (NQS), addressing the scope and framework of the strategies and identifying science and evidence gaps for the stocks.

The Parties committed to continue immediate work on multi-year strategies at pace ahead of 31 July 2022, as well as to consider long-term aims for the strategies. Both Parties informed as to their respective internal work on NQS of relevance to multi-year strategies and agreed to keep each other informed of this work.

The Parties will also consider how to ensure appropriate data transparency and remain committed to the exchanging of robust catch data for non-quota species. They agreed to continue discussions on NQS data.

Item 8: Next steps

Both Parties proposed 2 further meetings of the SCF, a fourth SCF meeting in July and a fifth SCF meeting in the autumn. The Parties shared the view that two Working Group meetings should convene before the fourth SCF meeting in July.

Item 9: Any other business (AOB)

The EU raised an AOB point on 4 new fisheries bylaws in UK offshore Marine Protected Areas, notably the Dogger Bank. Both Parties exchanged views on the notified measures.

Closure

Approved by the Joint Secretariat of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries

Annex 1: List of participants in the third meeting of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries

EU delegation (30)

• EU Co-Chair of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries
• European Commission officials
• European External Action Service official
• Delegation of the European Union to the UK officials
• Representatives of EU Member States

UK delegation (45 people)

• UK Co-Chair of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries
• UK government officials from Defra and Cabinet Office
• UK government Defra legal advisors
• Scottish Government officials
• Northern Ireland Executive officials
• Welsh Government officials
• Isle of Man Government officials
• Government of Jersey officials
• States of Guernsey officials
• Marine Management Organisation officials
• UK Mission to the European Union officials