25 Jan 2025

Dr Emma Sheehan, from the University of Plymouth, has been researching the ecological impacts of the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area since 2008, in what is considered to be the best example of a continuous long-term MPA monitoring study in the UK. Now, Dr Sheehan, together with ‘Ropes to Reefs’ Project Manager Amy Cartwright, gives […]

21 Jan 2025

Back in early 2024 the UK and Scottish Governments introduced a ban on sandeel fishing in Scottish waters and English waters of the North Sea in a move conservationists hailed as critical for saving the UK’s globally important seabird colonies. Now a challenge from the EU on the ban is set to be heard in […]

14 Jan 2025

The Welsh Government has provided a boost for Welsh marine, aquaculture and fisheries industries by making £1.4 million of funds available. The scheme aims to ensure sustainable growth in the sector and help coastal communities prosper.     The £1.4 million is available from £700,000 revenue and £700,000 capital. The application window will remain open […]

30 Dec 2024

A decade ago, T. J. Pitcher and W. W. L. Cheung highlighted the dichotomy in perceptions regarding the status of global fisheries, presenting a challenging outlook on the long-term sustainability of fisheries (Pitcher and Cheung, 2013). Their analysis underscored the pressures that marine ecosystems and fisheries are facing, arguing that without significant shifts toward ecosystem-based […]

22 Dec 2024

UK and Scottish Ministers have presented reports to the two Parliaments setting out progress and information on the Marine Protected Area network for Scotland, and English waters (inshore and offshore) and Northern Ireland offshore waters. This is a requirement under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA). Key facts […]

10 Dec 2024

The trilateral arrangement between the EU, Norway and the United Kingdom on jointly managed fish stocks in the North Sea for 2025 establishes total allowable catches (TAC) of over 958,000 tonnes, covering EU quotas of almost 463,000 tonnes of cod, haddock, saithe, whiting, plaice and herring. The agreement on TACs includes a reduction for cod, consistent with the […]

15 Oct 2024

Five new draft Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of UK fish stocks have opened for public consultation. The plans, developed with input from the fishing industry, focus on specific species and regions, including North Sea and Channel sprat, cockle, queen scallop, Southern North Sea skates and rays, and non-quota species. […]

15 Oct 2024

Over the past seven years, a collaborative project supported by the Marine Stewardship Council called Project UK to improve UK fisheries has been summarised in a recent report. The report describes Project UK as “the overarching banner under which many stakeholders deliver fishery improvement work through robust Fishery Improvement Plans (FIPs) … through collaboration, the […]