Nephrops

To reach the best practice level of the MSC Standard (SG 80), this FIP is focussing on:

Principle 1 (target stock):

• Developing management at functional unit level, that is responsive to the state of each functional unit stock;

• Developing biomass limit reference points for all functional units;

• Developing maximum sustainable yield (MSY) proxy reference points for biomass and harvest rate for specific functional units; and

• Developing harvest control rules appropriate for each functional unit based on a suite of available technical measures.

Principle 2 (ecosystem):

• Understanding the catch composition;

• Identifying interactions with endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species and developing additional management requirements in an ETP strategy;

• Assessing the impact of the fishery on commonly encountered habitats and vulnerable marine ecosystems;

• Developing a habitat management plan; 

• Introducing vessel monitoring systems on all vessels to accurately and reliably record the activity of the fishery; and 

• Undertaking an ecosystem Scale, Intensity, Consequence Analysis (SICA).

Principle 3 (management):

• Identifying requirements for monitoring and control, specifically in relation to the landing obligation;

• Review of Principle 3 after UK-EU transition period; and

• Developing a Fisheries Management Plan, linked to the harvest strategy being developed under Principle 1.