DEFRA: Fisheries Management Plans 

Initial drafts of Defra’s first three Fisheries Management Plans (FMP) have been received.

These are the Crab and Lobster, and Whelk draft plans prepared by Seafish in collaboration with the Whelk Management Group and the Crab Management Group respectively, and the English and Welsh King Scallop draft plan by the Scallop Industry Consultation Group Working Group with support from Seafish.

This development of these drafts has been an important step towards collaborative management of our fisheries. Defra would like to thank all who contributed, including delivery partners, working groups and those who engaged at the numerous quayside meetings that have taken place to date.

The next stage of the process is for Defra to review and finalise the content of the draft plans and prepare other documents required before the formal public consultation takes place in the next few months.

Ahead of this, Defra is inviting stakeholders interested in these draft FMPs to join an online session for an overview of key points in the draft plans including initial proposals for management approaches and an explanation of the next steps.

There will also be an opportunity to raise points and ask questions through a Q&A.

The session will be held twice. Reserve your place on your preferred date using the links below:

Wednesday 1 March 17:30-18:30– reserve your place here

Thursday 2 March 13:30-14:30– reserve your place here.

We will record the session and make it available to attendees and anyone who reserved a place but was unable to attend.

There will be further opportunities to give views during the public consultation which will take place before the plans are finalised, published and implemented.