UK Scallops

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

Principle 1 (stock status):

• Working with the relevant scientific bodies to define stock areas;

• Defining appropriate reference points;

• Developing a harvest strategy;

• Developing harvest control rules and tools that apply at stock level; and

• Gathering additional survey information on data poor stocks.

Principle 2 (environment):

• 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 and VME habitats impacts;

• Developing a UK scallop 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):

• Developing a Fisheries Management Plan that includes short- and long-term fishery objectives;

• Establishing regional management groups that are appropriate for each stock unit; and

• Documenting stakeholder roles and responsibilities.