Regional Fisheries Groups – South West 7efg

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Meeting Videos and Notes

29.05.2025 Meeting Video

*For older meeting recording, please contact the RFG team regionalfisheriesgroups@marinemanagement.org.uk.

• 29.05.25 Meeting Notes
• 05.09.24 Meeting Notes
• 17.05.24 Meeting Notes 
• 12.04.24 Meeting Notes 
• 21.12.23 Meeting Notes

*Meeting notes which occurred over 18 months ago can be accessed by contacting the RFG team (regionalfisheriesgroups@marinemanagement.org.uk).

Quota Videos and Presentations

• 04.02.25 Meeting Video
• 17.12.24 Quota Video
• 16.05.23 Quota Presentation

*Older quota presentations can be accessed by contacting the RFG team (regionalfisheriesgroups@marinemanagement.org.uk).

Crab and Lobster Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) 

Background

The The crab and lobster FMPfisheries management plan - GOV.UK was was published in December 2023. There are a number of measures recommended in the FMPFMP. (pleasePlease see the the FMP Infographics poster poster for further information and the indicative timescales).  timescales.  

Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) commissioncommissioned MMO to lead delivery of proposalProposal three3: – to pilot (trial) finer scale management in a crab fishery unit (CFUs)(CFU) in the SouthwestSouth –West. The Western English Channel CFU (Southwest brown crab).crab This(Cancer pagurus) CFU was highlighted in the FMP for priority management as the stock size was considered near maximum sustainable yield (MSY) andyield (MSY) and the exploitation rate was moderate in 2019. There are concerns about significant increases in fishing effort in the area in recent years. years.  

South West Crab Trial Group 

The SouthwestSouth crabWest trialCrab groupTrial Group was formed in 2024, facilitated by Seafish to bring together local stakeholders, MMO and Defra to help deliver aSouth West brown crab trial(s).

MMO drafted an options paper (below)(linked andbelow) thiswhich was circulated to the group on 15 May 2025. Online meetings took place on 3 and 5 June 2025 to discuss the options paper, next steps for crabengagement, engagement and octopus impacts foron thethis trial(s).trial(s) work. At the time the options paper was drafted octopus were not causing the level of concern that they are now.

There was unanimous support from the group for harmonising the Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS), also referred to as the minimum landing size, for brown crab in South West English waters. The proposed harmonised MCRS is:

• 160 millimetres (mm) for male brown crab
• 150 mm for female brown crab

While there was recognition of the potential value of other measures, particularly those related to effort management, the group agreed that these should not be progressed this summer due to current challenges   in the South West relating to the octopus bloom. MMO and Defra understand the importance of managing the crab stocks sustainably and will continue to work with industry through the implementation groups to progress effort management approaches as a priority. We are improving our data and understanding of the impacts of the octopus bloom on the fishery to inform the development of management proposals.

Originally, MMO planned to do a South West face-to-face roadshow in June  to meet with industry to discuss brown crab trial options. However, based on feedback from the group we will instead conduct a short online survey to gather views.

A summary of the meetings and next steps is provided below. This has been circulated to the SouthwestSouth crabWest trialCrab group.Trial Group.

• Southwest brown crab trial group: options paper (PDF, (PDF, 991 991KB, 26 KB, 26 pages)pages)
• Southwest crab trial group: summary of online meetings (PDF, 340 KB, 6 pages)

Update and the South West brown crab MCRS online survey

Given the strong stakeholder support, and anticipated long-term benefits to crab stocks, the government intends to implement the proposed MCRS increase as a permanent measure, rather than a trial. This is subject to further stakeholder input.

MMO, on behalf of Defra, have launched a mobile-friendly online survey that should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. The online survey is a new way of consulting with stakeholders.

Please use the link below to complete the survey. You’ll also find a consultation overview document provided for your reference.

The survey is open until 23:59 on 17 August 2025.

Start now

South West brown crab online survey - overview document (PDF, 340586 KB, 65 pages)

Next steps for brown crab trials

Although stakeholders have indicated that now is not the right time to explore alternative crab trial options, MMO will improve our data and understanding of the fishery to inform effective management in the region. Defra and MMO aim to continue developing effort management proposals with national and regional groups, and resume discussions with the wider industry.

Projects

Lyme Bay Sole Fishery

Between 2015 and 2022 quota for Dover sole (Solea solea) in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Area 7.e roughly doubled, leading to increased fishing effort in particular in Lyme Bay. Concerns were raised by stakeholders about the effects of this increased effort on the sole population, the wider marine environment, and local communities. As a result, the MMO agreed to undertake a review of the Lyme Bay sole fishery from an environmental, social and economic perspective. This review included analysis of landings and at sea observer data, a consultation and 2 in person workshops with stakeholders to discuss potential new management measures for the fishery.

Following analysis of the consultation responses, workshop and evidence investigations, MMO has published a decision document outlining the results, proposed management measures and next steps. MMO has also produced a one-pager to summarise the outcomes of consultation and proposed management measures. Please see below for the documents and further detail.

• Gear separation meeting notes 31.01.24
• MMO  Management measures for Lyme Bay sole fishery - Consultation results
• MMO Management measures for Lyme Bay sole fishery - Decision document
• MMO Management measures for Lyme Bay sole fishery - Summary

We

Cefas havestudy alsoon increased mesh sizes

We commissioned Cefas to carry out a desktop study to look at increased mesh sizes for both static and towed gear in 7e and whether this results in larger sole being caught and therefore supporting the sustainability of the stock. WeThere willwere communicatelimited samples to make a significant conclusion that an increase in mesh size would be beneficial and only a very small percentage of catches are below the results28cm suggested MCRS. The report suggests that an increase in mesh sizes or MCRS would have minimal impact on the wider health of the stock. Recognising stakeholder feedback and ourpractical nextexperience, stepsthe soon. report has been delivered to the Celtic Sea & Western Channel Demersal FMP team to include within their evidence base for sole and consider for future measures alongside evidence gathering.

We’ve also delivered this report to Defra, noting the potential benefits of an increased mesh size in the sole fishery for bycatch of pollack.

• Analyses of Mesh Size Use on Size Distribution of Common Sole Report (PDF, 1.11 MB, 17 pages)

Anonymously report lost or damaged gear

In January 2024, the MMO introduced the ‘Text Anna’ anonymous reporting of gear conflict. The person reporting the conflict will be kept anonymous.

Fishers, both commercial and recreational, should text Anna (SW RFG Lead) on 07584 885 023 with the following information:

• What gear was damaged or lost (pots, nets, lines etc).
• Coordinates of where the gear was damaged or lost.
• Any information that was spotted on the markings to identify the owner of the gear

You can also use this online form for reporting lost or damaged gear in Lyme Bay instead.

MMO only count reports where there has been damage to gear. We do not consider competition for space / inability to launch gear, a ‘gear conflict’.  

• Code of Conduct

The MMO has responded to concerns from fishermen that an increase in sole quota has led to conflict and potentially overfishing in Lyme Bay.

The MMO and Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities (IFCA) have been investigating and in 2022 created a steering group to oversee the investigation. The Steering group includes representative fishers from the Lyme Bay Community Interest Company, and other ports outside of Lyme Bay, as well as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), IFCA, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas) and MMO representatives.

At a steering group meeting in the summer of 2022, a best practice Code of Conduct for sole fishing with gill nets in Lyme Bay was agreed as follows. Lyme Bay is defined as the area inside a line from Beer Head to Portland.

1. A minimum mesh size 5 inches (127mm) for gill nets targeting sole.
2. All fixed nets should be marked with a buoy showing the PLN of the vessel at both ends of the net.
3. Flags and radar reflectors are used where possible and practical to mark the location of nets.

Note: That these are best practice recommendations and not law.

The first recommendation is to support the sole population by letting smaller soles increase their opportunity to breed. The second is to help prevent gear conflict by increasing the visibility of net locations to prevent them being caught up in trawl gear, and so that other netting vessels can avoid setting nets that cross over nets already set in the water.

Small eyed ray (RJE) investigation to explore removal of 7e non-retention

This was the first project to come from the RFGs. Inshore fishers in the Southwest Regional Fisheries Group raised the local abundance of small-eyed ray in area 7.e and the rationale behind the non-retention policy in 7.e when it can be retained in 7.f-g. The non-retention policy is the result of a political decision at EU level, it was not based on ICES advice.

The MMO commissioned Cefas to carry out a study, this was paid for by MMO evidence team. The study highlighted that there is no evidence of decline in the stock, distribution is patchy as is trawl survey data due to its preferred habitat. Small-eyed ray is not a significant stock nationally or financially but could be significant to coastal communities in the southwest particularly inshore fishers.

The Defra Negotiations team took this to the EU at the annual negotiations in December 2023 and received a limited quota for small-eyed ray (RJE) in the western English Channel (ICES Division 7.e) to allow for scientific data collection. In 2024, this was used by Cefas to carry out a self-sampling scheme in collaboration with commercial, inshore fishers, to collect information on the species composition of skates in those inshore areas where small-eyed ray is locally common, and information on the size composition, sex ratio and biology of small eyed ray.

We are hoping to work with Cefas to carry out a similar scheme for 2025.

Fisheries Management Plan Q&A Videos

Following on from recent Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) events, four Q&A videos have been produced for FMPs currently under consultation.

The RFG team has gathered answers to common questions to help provide clarity on key elements of the plans and to assist with fishers completing the consultations. The videos feature answers from Defra policy leads, with input from Cefas, AIFCA, and the Marine Management Organisation.

Watch the videos here:

• Southern North Sea and Channel Skatesskates and Raysrays FMP - RFG Q&A- skates & rays FMP
• North Sea and Channel Spratsprat FMP - RFG Q&A -North Sea and Channel sprat FMP
• Southern North Sea Demersaldemersal Non-quotanon-quota species FMP - RFG Q&A -Southern North Sea demersal non-quota FMP
• Cockle FMP - RFG Q&A - cockle FMP

To learn more about the FMPs, please visit the DefraFMP blog here Fisheries Management Plans – News and updates from Defra’s FMP programme

*for more information on any of the above, please contact the RFG team (regionalfisheriesgroups@marinemanagement.org.uk).

Crawfish

In 2024, MMO worked with industry to address concerns for the crawfish fishery in the southwest. Stakeholder engagement events and consultations were held regarding seasonal closures of the fishery. The first closure took place between 05 February 2024 to 30 April 2024. The second closure took place between 16 December 2024 to 31 May 2025.

In December 2024 the licence condition for the increased minimum conservation reference size ‘MCRS’ (minimum landing size) of 110 millimetres (mm) was succeeded by a statutory instrument (SI). 

MMO has opened a consultation for a seasonal closure during winter 2025 to spring 2026. The consultation is open until midnight on 20 July 2025. 

To read more about the consultation, management and related documents, please visit the Crawfish page.

Cuttlefish Action Plan 

• Cuttlefish Action Plan Workshop Channel Demersal NQS FMP 15 February 2024 

• Cuttlefish management measures workshop: 15 February 2024

Area Contact List

• RFG: regionalfisheriesgroups@marinemanagement.org.uk
• RFG SW Lead: Anna Maclennan anna.maclennan@marinemanagement.org.uk 07584885023
• MMO Inshore Quota Managers:  inshorequotamanager@marinemanagement.org.uk
• MMO Hayle Office: western@marinemanagement.org.uk 0208 026 9060
• MMO Plymouth Office: plymouth@marinemanagement.org.uk 0208 026 9052
• MMO Brixham Office: brixham@marinemanagement.org.uk 0208 026 9059
• MCA Plymouth Office: plymouthmo@mcga.gov.uk 020 3908 5245
• Cornwall IFCA: enquiries@cornwall-ifca.gov.uk 01872 324284
• Isles of Scilly IFCA: ifca@scilly.gov.uk 07875 543700
• Devon and Severn IFCA: office@devonandsevernifca.gov.uk  01803 854648
• Southern IFCA: enquiries@southern-ifca.gov.uk 01202 721373