1. Introduction

  1. This Commercial Fisheries Technical Report provides a detailed characterisation of the commercial fisheries in operation across the Array.
  2. The information on commercial fisheries activity presented in this report is intended to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Array, by providing a detailed understanding of the commercial fisheries baseline, against which the potential impacts of the Array can be assessed.
  3. Commercial fisheries activity described in this report, is defined as fishing activity legally undertaken where the catch is sold for taxable profit.

2.             Study Area

2. Study Area

  1. The Array is located within the north-west portion of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Division 4b (Central North Sea) statistical area; within the United Kingdom (UK) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters (which is the area that extends from the UK territorial waters 12 nm boundary out to 200 nm). For the purpose of recording fisheries landings, ICES Division 4b is divided into statistical rectangles which are consistent across all Member States operating in the North Sea.
  2. The Array is located primarily within ICES rectangle 42E9, with small overlaps into ICES rectangles 42F0 and 41E9. These three ICES rectangles form the commercial fisheries local study area for the purposes of the EIA ( Figure 2.1   Open ▸ ). In order to understand fishing activity in waters adjacent to the Array, a commercial fisheries regional study area has been defined to include the commercial fisheries local study area together with surrounding ICES rectangles 41E8, 41F0, 42E8, 43E8, 43E9 and 43F0. Analysis of data at the scale of the commercial fisheries regional study area takes into consideration that most commercial fish and shellfish receptor populations are distributed at a wider spatial scale, ensuring that potential implications of displacement of fishing activity can be adequately understood.
  3. To summarise, there are two scales of commercial fisheries study areas as follows:
  • commercial fisheries local study area: 42E9, 42F0 and 41E9; and
  • commercial fisheries regional fisheries study area: 41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0.

Figure 2.1:
Commercial Fisheries Study Areas

Figure 2.1: Commercial Fisheries Study Areas


2.1.        Methodology

2.1. Methodology

  1. This report has been developed through an extensive and thorough analysis of data and literature, sources of which are fully referenced at the end of this document. The assessment encompasses both publicly available data sets and data obtained through specific requests. Landings statistics have been analysed using Microsoft Excel, while vessel monitoring system (VMS) data have been evaluated using ArcMap Geographic Information System (GIS) software.
  2. In addition to quantitative data, qualitative insights have been gathered through direct consultation with the fishing industry.
  3. This analysis has been through a desktop study, with no specific commercial fisheries survey undertaken.

2.2.        Desktop Study

2.2. Desktop Study

  1. A detailed desktop review of existing studies and datasets was undertaken to gather information on commercial fisheries within the commercial fisheries local and regional study areas. Table 2.1   Open ▸ summarises the studies and datasets used.
  2. Data has been sourced from ICES, the European Union (EU) Data Collection Framework (DCF), the Marine Directorate National Marine Plan interactive (NMPi), the UK Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
  3. Where data sources allow, a five to ten-year trend analysis has been undertaken, using the most recent annual datasets available at the time of writing. The temporal extent of this time period is dependent on each data source analysed, e.g. 2012 to 2016; 2016 to 2020; or 2011 to 2022, as annotated in Table 2.1   Open ▸ .
  4. Relevant literature from a number of sources has also been reviewed in the preparation of this report. A full list of references is provided at the end of this report and are cited within the text where appropriate.

 

Table 2.1:
Summary of Key Desktop Reports

Table 2.1: Summary of Key Desktop Reports

 

2.2.1.    Data Limitations and Uncertainties

2.2.1. Data Limitations and Uncertainties

  1. A range of different data limitations and uncertainty exist for all of the commercial fisheries datasets assessed within this report. The level of uncertainty and confidence of each data set is defined in Table 2.2   Open ▸ based on expert judgement of the assessment team.
  2. Limitations of landings data include the spatial size of ICES rectangles which can misrepresent actual activity across the Array; and care is therefore required when interpreting these data.
  3. It is noted that all commercial landings by UK registered vessels are subject to the Register of Buyers and Sellers (RBS) legislation and therefore landings by UK vessels of all lengths are recorded within the MMO iFish database. While it is recognised that there is no statutory requirement for owners of vessels 10 m and under to declare their catches, registered buyers are legally required to provide sales notes of all commercially sold fish and shellfish due to the 2005 Registration of Buyers and Sellers of First-Sale Fish Scheme (RBS legislation) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a). The RBS legislation is applicable to licenced fishing vessels of all lengths and requires name and port letters and numbers (PLN) of the vessel which landed the fish to be recorded in relation to each purchase. For the 10 m and under sector, landing statistics are recorded on sales notes provided by the registered buyers (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a). Information that may not be formally recorded on the sales note, such as gear and fishing area, is added by coastal staff based on local knowledge of the vessels they administer - for example, from observations of the vessel during inspections at ports or from air and sea surveillance activities as well as discussions with the owner and/or operator of the vessel (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a).
  4. Lack of recent landings statistics for EU (non-UK) fleets is also recognised as a data limitation; based on the most recent European Commission data call, more recent landings data (2017 to 2022) is no longer available by ICES rectangle. Data at a scale of ICES division (i.e. the whole of the North Sea) is less useful to understand fishing activity specific to the Array.
  5. Limitations of VMS data are primarily focused on the coverage being limited to larger vessels 15 m and over for UK fishing vessels. It is important to be aware that where mapped VMS data may appear to show inshore areas as having lower (or no) fishing activity compared with offshore areas, this is not necessarily the case because VMS data do not include vessels typically operating within inshore areas (i.e. which typically comprises vessels <15 m in length). To assist in mitigating the risk of under-representing smaller inshore vessels, site-specific marine traffic survey data comprising information on vessel movements gathered by both AIS and radar has been analysed alongside publicly sourced VMS and AIS data.
  6. MMO fisheries patrol vessels and surveillance aircraft operate in coordination with the Royal Navy’s Fisheries Protection Squadron. UK surveillance aircraft are used to construct an on-going picture of fishing activity within the UK EEZ and to make effective use of patrol vessel activity by coordinated use of surveillance data. These data cannot be considered to give an accurate picture of the actual level of activity and have a number of limitations, including:
  • Patrol effort by Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), Royal Navy Fisheries Patrol Vessels and patrol aircraft are optimised for enforcement purposes and not collection of sightings data. Areas with fewer fisheries enforcement issues are therefore likely to be visited less often and result in lower data confidence.
  • Surveillance data are only indicative of areas where fishing activities occur, as there is no continuous monitoring of activities.
  • Surveillance data present a snapshot of activity in an area, and it cannot be assumed that if no vessels have been sighted then no fishing takes place.
  • Vessels fishing at night would likely remain undetected.

 

Table 2.2:
Data Limitations and Uncertainty (the Uncertainty and Confidence Levels are Defined Based on Judgement and are Intended to Inform the Appropriateness of Data Used to Inform the EIA)

Table 2.2: Data Limitations and Uncertainty (the Uncertainty and Confidence Levels are Defined Based on Judgement and are Intended to Inform the Appropriateness of Data Used to Inform the EIA)

3.             Baseline

3. Baseline

3.1.        Overview of Landings

3.1. Overview of Landings

3.1.1.    Local Commercial Fisheries Study Area

3.1.1. Local Commercial Fisheries Study Area

  1. Commercial fisheries statistics for the annual landed weight and first sales value of UK vessels operating within the specified commercial fisheries local study area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) are shown in Figure 3.1   Open ▸ and Figure 3.2   Open ▸ respectively. These data indicate a spike in landings of herring Clupea harengus during 2018 (equating to 2,000 tonnes and first sales value of £1.2 million in 2018). Herring are a pelagic species that are caught in shoals by vessels deploying pelagic trawl or pelagic seine that targets the shoaling fish as they migrate. This pattern leads to sporadic spikes in landings as noted in Figure 3.1   Open ▸ and Figure 3.2   Open ▸ .
  2. Following that, the landings are primarily dominated by Nephrops norvegicus (also known as Norway lobster, Dublin Bay prawn, langoustine, nephrops and Nephrops; hereon referred to as Nephrops), haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus and mixed demersal finfish species caught by demersal otter trawling vessels. The majority of landings by UK fishing vessels are made by vessels registered in Scotland (86% by value) and England (14% by value).

Figure 3.1:
Key Species by Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.1: Key Species by Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

 

  1. An annual average value of almost £1.72 million was landed by all UK vessels for the years 2016 to 2022 from the commercial fisheries local study area. Nephrops represent the highest value species commercially landed from the commercial fisheries local study area (average £1 million per annum; Figure 3.2   Open ▸ ), although landings are highly variable across the time series, peaking in 2019 with significant drops in 2020 and 2021, and growth in 2022. Haddock, monkfish Lophius piscatorius, whiting Merlangius merlangus and halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus have all followed a similar trend in landings pattern as Nephrops, which is expected given that they are caught as retained bycatch within the Nephrops targeted fishery. These species have a combined annual average value of £288,000 from 2016 to 2022.
  2. Relatively small quantities of other species are landed from the commercial fisheries local study area, including lobster Homarus gammarus (£33,000 average annual value), king scallop Pectan maximum (£18,000 average annual value) and brown crab Cancer pagurus (£25,000 average annual value).

Figure 3.2:
Key Species by Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.2: Key Species by Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

 

  1. The commercial fisheries local study area encompasses three ICES rectangles, however the majority of the Array is located within ICES rectangle 42E9. Landings statistics data by ICES rectangle is presented in Figure 3.3   Open ▸ and Figure 3.4   Open ▸ for weight and value respectively for the time period 2016 to 2022. The highest weight and value are landed from ICES rectangle 42F0, which overlaps with a very small portion of the Array, i.e. 1.02% of the Array is located in 42F0.
  2. The average annual value landed by UK vessels from ICES rectangle 42E9 is £136,000, compared to landings of £1.5 million from 42F0. This highlights that 42E9 is not heavily fished or targeted by UK vessels, with relatively low value of catches; this pattern has remained consistent across the time period analysed (2016 to 2022).
  3. In addition, the average landed weight and value from the commercial fisheries local study area is depicted graphically in Figure 3.5   Open ▸ and Figure 3.6   Open ▸ , respectively. This emphasises the great importance of ICES rectangle 42F0, compared to 41E9 and 42E9, noting that the majority of the Array is located within 42E9.

Figure 3.3:
Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.3: Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.4:
Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.4: Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.5:
Average Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle for Top Species from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.5: Average Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle for Top Species from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)


Figure 3.6:
Average Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle for Top Species from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.6: Average Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle for Top Species from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)


  1. Landed value by gear type and ICES rectangle for the commercial fisheries local study area is shown in Figure 3.7   Open ▸ , again highlighting that the majority of landings are from 42F0. Demersal trawl targeting Nephrops, haddock and mixed demersal finfish species dominate the catches, followed by landings of herring by pelagic otter trawl. The landings of lobster and crab taken from the commercial fisheries local study area are targeted within ICES rectangle 41E9.

Figure 3.7:
Average Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by Gear Type and ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.7: Average Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by Gear Type and ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (41E9, 42E9 and 42F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

 

                        Long-term landings data

  1. Stakeholder consultation suggested that the commercial fisheries local study area has been more important in the years prior to 2016, specifically for small size classes of haddock. To explore this further, a longer term trend in landings has been analysed across the commercial fisheries local study area for the period 2011 to 2022 for the three top species: haddock, Nephrops and herring ( Figure 3.8   Open ▸ ).
  2. Haddock show significantly higher landings from 2011 to 2013, particularly from ICES rectangle 42E9 (which the majority of the Array overlaps with). The average value of haddock landed from 42E9 from 2011 to 2013 was £975,000, compared to £69,000 landed per annum from 2019 to 2022.
  3. Landings of haddock from the commercial fisheries local study area fell dramatically in 2016, and have remained at these levels. This trend is not seen at a stock level, where total landings of haddock from the North Sea, West of Scotland and Skaggerak (ICES Divisions 4, 6a and 3a respectively) haddock stock have remained relatively consistent since 2008. Therefore, the evidence suggests that the decline in landings from the commercial fisheries local study area in 2016 is not linked to biological stock factors such as low recruitment for example. Consultation with the fishing industry highlighted that the commercial fisheries local study area had historically been important for small size classes, but that the market and processing resources available for this size of haddock became unavailable resulting in the observed drop in haddock landings.
  4. Landings of Nephrops from the commercial fisheries local study area are almost entirely from ICES rectangle 42F0 (partially overlapping the Array, but mainly to the east of the Array). Nephrops landings have peaked and troughed from this area, with a notable spike in landings in 2019; overall landings have been highest from 2019 to 2022 for the long-term time series.
  5. Herring landings are sporadic in nature, as previously discussed (see paragraph 20). A high peak is noted to occur in 2018 from ICES rectangle 42F0. Smaller landings from 42E9 are noted in 2014 and 2016, but any trends are typically more reliable to consider at a wider geographic scale due to the high mobility of this species.

 

Figure 3.8:
Long Term Landing Trends for Haddock, Nephrops and Herring from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.8: Long Term Landing Trends for Haddock, Nephrops and Herring from the Commercial Fisheries Local Study Area (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

 

3.1.2.    Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area

3.1.2. Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area

  1. Commercial fisheries statistics presenting data for the annual (2016 to 2022) landed weight and first sales value landed by UK vessels from the commercial fisheries regional study area (nine ICES rectangles) are shown in Figure 3.9   Open ▸ and Figure 3.10   Open ▸ respectively. Average annual values are calculated across a seven year period (2016 to 2022).
  2. Landings data indicates that within this wider commercial fisheries regional study area, landings remain dominated by herring from a landed weight perspective. The region is clearly associated with a pelagic trawl fishery targeting this migratory pelagic shoaling species.
  3. The most valuable species across the period of 2016 to 2022 , is king scallop, with an average of £2.4 million landed annually from the commercial fisheries regional study area. The demersal otter trawl fishery targeting Nephrops, haddock and other mixed demersal species is also prominent in the commercial fisheries regional study area, with a combined average annual value of £3.5 million in first sales. Two different demersal otter trawl gears are used to target these fisheries, each with different mesh size ranges as defined by internationally recognised gear groupings; specifically gear type TR1 (with net mesh size of 100 mm) to target haddock, and gear type TR2 (with net mesh size of 70 mm to 99 mm) to target Nephrops. Both gear retain a mix of demersal species as bycatch.
  4. Notable landings of lobster and brown crab are also evidenced across the commercial fisheries regional study area (£1.2 million combined average annual value). Landings from the commercial fisheries regional study area by UK fishing vessels are made by vessels registered in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Figure 3.9:
Key Species by Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.9: Key Species by Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.10:
Key Species by Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.10: Key Species by Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

 

  1. UK fishing vessel landings by ICES rectangle across the commercial fisheries regional study area are shown in Figure 3.11   Open ▸ for landed weight and Figure 3.12   Open ▸ for first sales value.
  2. Regionally, the lowest value of landings are taken from 41E9 (£75,000 average annual value) and 42E9 (£136,000 average annual value), which are part of the commercial fisheries local study area, indicating that areas outside the Array are relatively more important to commercial fishing fleets.
  3. The highest value is landed from 43E9 (£2.9 million average annual value), which is immediately north of the Array, followed by 42E8 and 42F0 (£1.3 million and £1.5 million average annual value, respectively).
  4. Average annual first sales value landed from the commercial fisheries regional study area is shown in Figure 3.13   Open ▸ by gear type and ICES rectangle, and in Figure 3.14   Open ▸ by vessel nationality and species.
  5. The key gears across the commercial fisheries regional study area are demersal otter trawls, dredge, pelagic trawls and pots. Herring are targeted by Scottish, English and Northern Irish registered vessels; haddock by both English and Scottish vessels, while all other species are predominately targeted by Scottish vessels.

Figure 3.11:
Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.11: Annual Landed Weight (tonnes) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.12:
Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.12: Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.13:
Average Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by Gear Type and ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.13: Average Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by Gear Type and ICES Rectangle from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.14:
Average Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by Vessel Nationality and Species from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.14: Average Annual Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by Vessel Nationality and Species from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)


  1. The seasonality of landings across the commercial fisheries regional study area for key species are depicted in Figure 3.15   Open ▸ . Herring are targeted during their autumn spawning migration in August and September. King scallop are caught throughout most of the year, with peaks in March to June. Nephrops are caught throughout the year, while haddock are predominately targeted from May to December. Lobster landings peak in the summer month of August and brown crab are caught throughout the year.

Figure 3.15:
Average Monthly Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by Species from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

Figure 3.15: Average Monthly Landed Value (GBP) (2016 to 2022) by Species from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area (41E8-F0, 42E8-F0, 43E8-F0) (MMO, 2022a; MMO, 2023a)

 

3.2.        Non-UK Landings

3.2. Non-UK Landings

3.2.1.    Landings by EU Countries

3.2.1. Landings by EU Countries

  1. Landings by EU countries from the commercial fisheries regional study area are shown in Figure 3.16   Open ▸ by ICES rectangle and Figure 3.17   Open ▸ by species, indicating the average annual landed weight during the period 2012 to 2016. This data is considered historic, and pre-Brexit (i.e. before the exit of the UK from the EU), however is the most up-to-date publicly available data by ICES rectangle for all EU fleets and allows an indication of which countries may be active across the commercial fisheries regional study area.
  2. Within the commercial fisheries regional study area, the highest quantity of catch is taken from 43E9 (north of the Array). Vessels registered in Denmark, Netherlands, France, Germany and Sweden are recorded to fish within the commercial fisheries regional study area. The key target species for these fleets is herring.

Figure 3.16:
Average Annual Landed Weight from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area by Vessel Nationality and ICES Rectangle (Based on Data from 2012-2016) (EU DCF, 2023)

Figure 3.16: Average Annual Landed Weight from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area by Vessel Nationality and ICES Rectangle (Based on Data from 2012-2016) (EU DCF, 2023)

 

  1. As indicated in Figure 3.17   Open ▸ , while Danish vessels predominately land herring from the commercial fisheries regional study area, a sandeel targeted fishery is also evident, with 1,900 tonnes landed from the commercial fisheries regional study area, worth approximately £450,000. However, the sandeel fishery has significantly reduced in recent years, with quotas relevant for this area (i.e. sandeel area 4) very low. It is noted that the UK Government has prohibited UK vessels from catching sandeel from the North Sea from the period 2021 to 2023. As of 2024, catching sandeel from the North Sea has been prohibited for all UK and non-UK vessels in the UK EEZ.
  2. Figure 3.18   Open ▸ provides further context relative to the Array, with data presented solely for 42E9. These data indicate herring caught by vessels registered in Denmark, Netherlands and France. On average across the period 2012 to 2016, 934 tonnes of herring were landed from 42E9, equating to approximately £480,000 in first sales value.
  3. EU vessels are included in the spatial activity assessment provided in section 3.4.
  4. Activity by Norwegian vessels is also presented in section 3.4, indicating activity within the commercial fisheries regional study area, primarily to the north-east of the Array, but also some activity within the Array. This is understood to be pelagic trawl vessels targeting herring.

Figure 3.17:
Average Annual Landed Weight from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area by Vessel Nationality and Species (Based on Data from 2012-2016) (EU DCF, 2023)

Figure 3.17: Average Annual Landed Weight from the Commercial Fisheries Regional Study Area by Vessel Nationality and Species (Based on Data from 2012-2016) (EU DCF, 2023)

Figure 3.18:
Average Annual Landed Weight from ICES Rectangle 42E9 by Vessel Nationality and Species (Based on Data from 2012-2016) (EU DCF, 2023)

Figure 3.18: Average Annual Landed Weight from ICES Rectangle 42E9 by Vessel Nationality and Species (Based on Data from 2012-2016) (EU DCF, 2023)


3.3.        Key Fishing Fleets and Target Species

3.3. Key Fishing Fleets and Target Species

  1. There are three descriptive units used for defining fisheries (Marchal, 2008):
  • fishery – a group of vessel voyages which target the same species or use the same gear;
  • fleet – a physical group of vessels sharing similar characteristics (e.g. nationality); and
  • métier – a homogenous subdivision, either of a fishery by vessel type or a fleet by voyage type.
  1. A range of fleets target different fisheries across the commercial fisheries local and regional study areas which are described on a fleet basis within this section.

3.3.1.    Pelagic Trawl

3.3.1. Pelagic Trawl

  1. Figure 3.19   Open ▸ shows a typical pelagic trawl vessel and Table 3.1   Open ▸ describes the profile of pelagic trawl vessels active across the commercial fisheries local and regional study areas.
  2. Pelagic or mid-water trawls are towed at the appropriate level in the water column to intercept shoaling fish such as herring and mackerel. The location of the shoals is determined by sonar or vertical sounder echoes. Pelagic vessels typically require up to 2 nm to position their nets, undertake a tow and then haul nets.
  3. Catches with pelagic trawl form a significant portion of the annual landings (21% by landed value) from the commercial fisheries regional study area. Landings are made by vessel greater than 15 m in length, across a number of countries, including the UK and Norway.

 

Table 3.1:
Profile of Typical Pelagic Trawling Vessels

Table 3.1: Profile of Typical Pelagic Trawling Vessels


Figure 3.19:
Profile of Typical Pelagic Trawling Gear and Vessel (Seafish, 2015; Poseidon, undated)

Figure 3.19: Profile of Typical Pelagic Trawling Gear and Vessel (Seafish, 2015; Poseidon, undated)

 

                        Key species caught by vessels operating pelagic trawl

                        Herring
  1. The North Sea herring stock, which collapsed in the 1970s and was closed to fishing for several years, subsequently recovered, and although it fell back in the mid-1990s, it has again been rehabilitated. Since 1998 spawning stock biomass has been above maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and fishing pressure has remained below the MSY benchmark (ICES, 2022), though there are concerns that future low recruitment could alter this trend. Applicable to directed herring fisheries in the North Sea there is a Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS) of 20 cm (3 cm above the size of maturity). Catches below this size must be landed but cannot be sold for human consumption, and so are less valuable.
  2. Herring shoals move between spawning and wintering grounds in coastal areas and feeding grounds in open water. Herring populations are known to use traditional spawning grounds, many of which are along shallow coastal areas (15 m to 40 m depth), or on offshore banks down to 200 m. Spawning usually occurs on gravel or rock bottoms.
                        Mackerel
  1. Mackerel are a pelagic species that live near the surface of the sea in large shoals. North Sea mackerel overwinter in the deep water, to the east and north of Shetland and on the edge of the Norwegian Deep. In the springtime, they migrate south to spawn in the central part of the North Sea from May until July.
  2. In terms of fisheries management measures, a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is in place that covers all North-east Atlantic fisheries. A minimum conservation reference size of 30 cm is in place.

3.3.2.    Demersal Otter Trawl

3.3.2. Demersal Otter Trawl

  1. Figure 3.20   Open ▸ shows a typical UK demersal trawler and associated gear and Table 3.2   Open ▸ describes the profile of demersal otter trawling vessels active across the commercial fisheries regional study area. Otter trawls typically catch gadoids (including haddock, cod, whiting), other groundfish, plaice, and Nephrops; however, the species composition of the catch depends on the area and depth fished, and the gear design.
  2. Vessel numbers vary, and their presence is dependent upon the success of demersal and/or Nephrops catches elsewhere.
  3. Demersal trawlers operating across the commercial fisheries regional study area tend to tow in directions which are in line with natural seabed contours.

 

Table 3.2:
Profile of Typical Demersal Otter Trawling Vessels

Table 3.2: Profile of Typical Demersal Otter Trawling Vessels

Figure 3.20:
Profile of Typical Demersal Otter Trawler Vessel and Gear Diagram (Seafish, 2015)

Figure 3.20: Profile of Typical Demersal Otter Trawler Vessel and Gear Diagram (Seafish, 2015)

 

                        Key species caught by vessels operating demersal otter trawl

                        Nephrops
  1. Nephrops is a small lobster, pale orange in colour. It grows to a maximum total length of 25 cm (including the tail and clawed legs), although individuals are normally between 18 cm to 20 cm. Nephrops do not reach sexual maturity until two to three years. Life span in the North Sea is understood to be eight to nine years.
  2. They are found in soft sediment, commonly at depths of between 200 m and 800 m, although considerable populations exist at depths <200 m. They live in shallow burrows and are common on grounds with fine cohesive mud which is stable enough to support their unlined burrows.
  3. Nephrops stock assessments are conducted by ICES. Stock assessments are produced for 33 areas across the North-east Atlantic, called Functional Units (FUs). However, management is applied to 18 areas, called management units. The commercial fisheries local study area is not located within a Nephrops FU. Management is applied via a TAC set for the whole of the North Sea (ICES Division 4)
  4. There is a MCRS of 85 mm total length (25 mm carapace length and 46 mm tail) for Nephrops in the North Sea. The landing obligation requires target species to be landed, and therefore prohibits the discarding of quota species. In UK waters the landing obligation is implemented via the Fisheries Act 2020 UK Statutory Instrument 2020 No.1542. For the Nephrops trawl fishery in the North Sea, there is a de minimis exemption from the landing obligation consisting of a 6% discard rate by weight.
                        Haddock
  1. Haddock are a demersal bottom feeding round fish that occur mainly in waters from 40 m to 200 m deep. Haddock mature at around two to three years of age and feed mainly on small bottom-living organisms including crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, worms and fishes.
  2. In the North Sea, haddock are caught as part of a mixed whitefish fishery and are also taken as bycatch in the Nephrops trawl fishery. The spawning stock biomass of haddock is currently well above biological limits and fishing pressure is low; indicating that the species is currently harvested sustainably.
  3. Landings occur throughout the year and on average peak during autumn.
                        Whiting
  1. Whiting are widely distributed both inshore and offshore throughout the North Sea. Whiting are commonly found on mud and gravel bottoms, but also on sand and rock. Whiting spawn between January and July with spikes in their breeding activity during the spring. Juveniles inhabit inshore nursery areas for their first year and then they migrate to deeper waters offshore.
  2. ICES stock assessments indicate that catches of whiting have decreased since the late 1970s, and whilst the spawning stock has fluctuated significantly, it is presently considered by ICES to be above MSY with the stock not subject to overfishing (ICES, 2022).
  3. Whiting stocks are subject to a TAC, which is set for stock across both the North Sea and Norwegian Sea. Whiting is also subject to technical management measures, including an EU minimum conservation reference size of 27 cm and a minimum mesh size of 80 mm is applied to gears specifically targeting whiting.
  4. Whiting are typically targeted during spring and summer months as part of both targeted and mixed demersal fisheries.
                        Monkfish
  1. There are two closely related species of monkfish; white monkfish Lophius piscatorius and black monkfish L. budegassa. White monkfish occur throughout the North-east Atlantic and are more abundant than black monkfish in northern areas. It is a very distinctive fish, recognizable by having its head and body depressed, a wide mouth, broad head and a fleshy 'lure' at the end of its first dorsal spine, which is used to attract prey. They can live up to 24 years and reach 200 cm in length, reaching maturity at four to five years at a length of 35 cm.
  2. Both species are most abundant from 200 m-500 m, with white monkfish also occurring down to 800 m. It is found mostly on sandy or muddy bottoms but is also present on shell, gravel and occasionally rocky areas.
  3. A minimum marketing weight is in place (EC 2406/96) of 500 g gutted or 200 g tail per individual. A single TAC applies to both species of monkfish as they are often not separated in the landings.
  4. Monkfish are a highly valuable demersal fish species, caught almost exclusively by demersal otter trawls.

3.3.3.    Dredge

3.3.3. Dredge

  1. A typical scallop dredging vessel is shown in Figure 3.21   Open ▸ and Table 3.3   Open ▸ describes the profile of scallop dredging vessels active across the commercial fisheries regional study area.
  2. Dredges are rigid structures that are towed along the seabed to target various species of shellfish. Scallop dredgers fish as the tooth bar of each dredge rakes through the sediment lifting out scallops and the spring-loaded tooth bar swings back, allowing the dredge to clear obstacles on the seabed. The dredges are held in a series on two beams, which are fished on each side of the vessel.
  3. UK scallop dredgers operate around the entire coastline of the UK. Scallop dredging takes place year-round. The UK scallop fleet has two main components: a fleet of larger boats (> 20 m in length) which range in a nomadic fashion exploiting both inshore and offshore scallop stocks around the UK; and smaller inshore boats (< 15 m in length) that are restricted in range to inshore waters. Larger nomadic vessels tend to fish intensely in an area until harvesting scallops becomes unprofitable. They will then move on to new areas but will return a number of years later when the scallop stocks have returned to a level where dredging for them has once again become viable. Due to this fishing pattern a large scallop dredger may operate in four or five, or even more, areas and rotate around them over a period of several years. In this way, most of the suitable grounds around the UK are fished. At the other end of the spectrum are the smaller, inshore vessels, including some who will only fish for scallops on a part time basis, and others who rely on scallops for the majority of their income. These vessels are restricted, primarily by their size, in the areas and weather that they can fish meaning that they are likely to dredge for scallops only in their local area. The catching capacity of these vessels is significantly lower than the large vessels due to the lower number of dredges they can tow.
  4. Scallop dredging is an activity which is generally engaged by larger (>10 m vessel length) vessels due to the engine capacity required to tow this heavy fishing gear.
  5. Not all scallops in the path of the dredge are retained by the dredges and efficiency of the Newhaven dredge (commonly used in the UK commercial scallop fishery) can vary between <10% on soft ground to 51% on hard ground. Dredge efficiency is affected by ground type (e.g. soft sand, gravel or cobble), towing speed, warp length, tide strength and direction and the experience of the skipper.

 

Table 3.3:
Profile of Typical Dredging Vessels

Table 3.3: Profile of Typical Dredging Vessels

Figure 3.21:
Profile of Typical Scallop Dredging Gear and Vessel (Seafish, 2015; Fishing News, 2020)

Figure 3.21: Profile of Typical Scallop Dredging Gear and Vessel (Seafish, 2015; Fishing News, 2020)

 

                        Key species caught by vessels operating scallop dredge

                        King scallop
  1. King scallop are most common in water depths of 20 m to 70 m, in areas of clean firm sand and fine gravel exposed to water currents, which provide good feeding conditions for this bivalve mollusc. Adults are largely sedentary and usually found recessed in sediment. King scallop live to ten to 15 years and reach reproductive maturity between three to five years, at a size of 60 mm; the average maximum size is 160 mm. Recruitment is usually unpredictable as it depends not only on successful spawning and larval production but also on if larvae are retained or transported to areas suitable for larval settlement. Larvae are pelagic making settlement in a particular area somewhat unpredictable, which leads to an unstable age structure within stocks. As a consequence of this, scallop beds frequently show a regional separation of year classes and spatial variability in age structure.
  2. Whilst annual assessments of king scallop stock status in English waters are undertaken by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), the latest analytical assessment of stock status in Scottish waters was undertaken in 2016.
  3. There are no TACs (i.e. catch limits) or quotas in place for this species; instead, UK scallop fisheries are controlled predominantly through the use of minimum legal landing sizes, gear restrictions, seasonal closures and some effort controls on the largest boats. An EU MCRS exists of 100 mm (Council Regulation 850/98).

3.3.4.    Potting

3.3.4. Potting

  1. Figure 3.22   Open ▸ shows typical potting vessels, gear and the configuration of set pots and Table 3.4   Open ▸ describes the profile of potting vessels active across the commercial fisheries regional study area.
  2. Creels or pots used for the capture of lobsters and crabs, including brown crab and velvet crab Necora puber. Pots are typically rigged in ‘fleets’ or ‘strings’ of between 15 to 60 pots, depending upon vessel size and area fished. Hundreds of pots can be deployed across a fishing location. Lengths of fleets may range from 100 m to over 1 nm, anchored at each end with anchors or chain clump weights. A variety of surface markers are used, including flagged dhans, buoys and cans. Soak times, the time between emptying and re-baiting the pots, can vary between six and 168 hours, but would typically be 24 hours. All pots are worked on a rotational basis; after hauling and emptying, pots are baited and re-set. Creel design is typically D-shaped in section and made from steel rods covered in netting and protected or “bumpered” with rope or rubber strips. Pots are usually deployed on rocky substrate, though may less frequently be found on other softer substrates.
  3. Larger potters working further offshore make fishing trips lasting around two days. Smaller potters under 10 m in length operate as day boats, returning to port after hauling, emptying, baiting and re-setting fleets of pots. Potting vessels may target a single or multiple shellfish species.

 

Table 3.4:
Profile of Typical Potting Vessels

Table 3.4: Profile of Typical Potting Vessels

Figure 3.22:
Profile of Typical Potting Gear and Vessel (Seafish, 2015; Fishing News, 2016)

Figure 3.22: Profile of Typical Potting Gear and Vessel (Seafish, 2015; Fishing News, 2016)

 

                        Key species caught by vessels operating pots

                        Lobster
  1. Lobster is a long-lived decapod crustacean. Lobster breed once per year in the summer and newly berried females begin to appear from September to December. Lobsters do not undertake any significant migrations and juveniles in the first three to four years of life may be particularly sedentary. From hatching it takes approximately five years for a lobster to recruit to the fishery. Lobsters typically inhabit rocky reef and rough ground, sheltering in crevices between rocks and boulders. The availability of suitable habitat is considered to influence the carrying capacity and size structure of lobster populations (Seitz et al., 2014).
  2. There are no TACs or quotas in place for lobster. Primary management is by the technical measure of a MCRS of 87 mm (EC 850/98).
  3. Lobster is one of the highest value per kilogram, commercially exploited shellfish species found in UK waters. Fishing activity typically peaks across summer months, with a second peak in December associated with supplying the Christmas-time market.
                        Brown crab
  1. Brown crab is a long-lived, large decapod crustacean. Brown crabs are very productive animals and each female can hatch between one and four million eggs. Post larvae are known to settle inshore and juvenile crabs are more common in shallow waters. Adult crabs undertake extensive migrations, which may be associated with their reproductive cycle. Brown crab is found across a wide range of habitat types, ranging from rocky reefs to soft mud and sand.
  2. As with lobster, brown crab are caught by pots and have no TACs or quotas in place. Primary management is by the technical measure of a MCRS of 140 mm carapace width inside 6 nm and 130 mm outside 6 nm (EC 850/98).

3.4.        Fishing Activity Assessment

3.4. Fishing Activity Assessment

3.4.1.    Fishing Intensity Based on VMS Data

3.4.1. Fishing Intensity Based on VMS Data

  1. This section presents the spatial mapping data and information available to inform the location and intensity of fishing across the commercial fisheries regional study area, and at a wider spatial scale as available. For context, active fishing restrictions are provided in Figure 3.23   Open ▸ indicating no current fishery related restrictions across the Array. The closest restriction is approximately 54.5 km south of the Array in the Farne Deeps where technical gear restrictions are in place related to the mesh size and twine thickness of fishing nets deployed by demersal otter trawl and demersal seine.
  2. VMS data has been obtained from five different sources, with varying details as follows:
  • ICES VMS data displays the surface SAR of catches by different gear types and covers EU (including UK) registered vessels 12 m and over in length. Surface SAR indicates the number of times in an annual period that a demersal fishing gear makes contact with (or sweeps) the seabed surface. Surface SAR provides a proxy for fishing intensity and has been analysed to determine an average annual SAR based on data from 2016 to 2020.
  • Marine Directorate Scottish vessel VMS data sourced from the NMPi data catalogue indicating fishery effort data by gear type.
  • MMO VMS data displaying the first sales value (£) of catches and covers UK registered vessels 15 m and over in length from 2016 to 2020.
  • MMO VMS data displaying the total quantity (tonnes) of landings by all gears deployed by UK registered vessels 15 m and over in length from 2011 to 2015.
  • Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA) VMS data for their Scottish pelagic trawl member vessels from 2013 to 2021.
  1. Pelagic trawl activity is depicted in Figure 3.24   Open ▸ for UK vessels based on VMS data sourced from the MMO for 2016 to 2019 and in Figure 3.25   Open ▸ for 2020. The nature of pelagic trawling activity means that vessels track shoals of fish and deploy fishing gear to harvest a portion of that migrating shoal. This means activity is not associated with specific seabed grounds, but to the migration route of the shoaling fish. Fishing locations are therefore generally across a wider area and vary spatially on an annual basis depending on the route taken by the fish. The VMS data clearly indicates activity by pelagic trawlers in 2017 and 2018, which corroborates the data assessed for the commercial fisheries local and regional study areas. The key areas targeted are north of the Array (43E9), east of the Array (42F0) and south-east of the Array (41F0). No pelagic trawl VMS records are seen to occur within the Array. No pelagic trawl activity is visible in the commercial fisheries regional study area in 2019 and 2020.
  2. Pelagic trawl VMS data sourced and provided by the SPFA for their Scottish pelagic trawl member vessels (SPFA, 2024) is depicted in Figure 3.26   Open ▸ for active fishing operations and in Figure 3.27   Open ▸ for active fishing and transiting activities, presented cumulatively for the period 2013 to 2021. The data indicates one VMS data point of active fishing from 2013 to 2021, located on the north boundary of the Array. This corroborates the low level of pelagic fishing activity within the Array. A transit route is noted running north-west to south-east, primarily outside and to the west of the Array.
  3. VMS data from the period 2011 to 2015 has been analysed to explore the feedback from stakeholders that higher levels of fishing activity occurred within the Array prior to Brexit (i.e. before 2016). VMS data available for the 2011 to 2015 period is mapped for all fishing gears to indicate the quantity of landings in tonnes for 2011 ( Figure 3.28   Open ▸ ) and for 2012 to 2015 ( Figure 3.29   Open ▸ ). Higher levels of activity are noted within 42E9, including within the Array and to the north of the Array. Specifically for the years 2011-2013 activity is evidenced to occur within the Array.
  4. Demersal otter trawl activity is depicted in Figure 3.30   Open ▸ , Figure 3.31   Open ▸ and Figure 3.32   Open ▸ . Both the ICES and MMO VMS data sources corroborate that there is very limited activity by demersal otter trawls within the Array. Activity is consistently seen within 42F0, which forms part of the commercial fisheries local study area. However, the activity occurs outside the Array, and is focused on grounds within the Devil’s Hole, which is located approximately 18 km to the east of the Array. The Devil’s Hole is a series of deep trenches that run north to south and are targeted by demersal otter trawlers for Nephrops and mixed demersal whitefish species.
  5. Demersal seine activity is depicted in Figure 3.33   Open ▸ , indicating negligible activity across the Array. An area of activity is noted to the west of the Array within 42E9.
  6. Beam trawl activity is depicted in Figure 3.34   Open ▸ , Figure 3.35   Open ▸ and Figure 3.36   Open ▸ , indicating negligible activity across the Array, and commercial fisheries local and regional study areas.
  7. Dredge activity is depicted in Figure 3.37   Open ▸ , Figure 3.38   Open ▸ and Figure 3.39   Open ▸ , indicating negligible activity across the Array. The scallop dredge grounds are predominately located within 42E8 (part of the commercial fisheries regional study area), as well as further inshore between 6 nm to 12 nm.
  8. Potting activity is depicted in Figure 3.40   Open ▸ and Figure 3.41   Open ▸ , indicating negligible activity across the Array. Potting vessels are typically smaller than 15 m in length and therefore not likely to be represented within the VMS dataset analysed. The Array is located in grounds that would typically be beyond the normal operational range of potting vessels.
  9. Activity of Scottish vessels under 12 m in length is depicted in Figure 3.42   Open ▸ , indicating that all of the activity is located inshore from the Array, predominately within 6 nm, 6 nm to12 nm, and small areas of activity outside 12 nm.
  10. VMS data for Norwegian registered vessels is presented in Figure 3.43   Open ▸ for the period 2013 to 2017, displaying fishing value based on correlating logbook data with VMS positioning data on a scale of high to low. Some activity by Norwegian vessels is noted along the north-east boundary of the Array. This activity predominately occurred during April to June in 2014. While gear types are not specified within the data it is considered likely to reflect pelagic trawl activity.
  11. Fishing restrictions are mapped in Figure 3.23   Open ▸ , indicating the presence of management measures specific to UK fishing vessels. Management is in place within the Farne Deeps Nephrops Functional Unit, which is located 54.5 km south of the Array. No fishery related spatial restrictions are in place across the Array, as noted in paragraph 92.

3.4.2.    Fishing Intensity Based on AIS Data

3.4.2. Fishing Intensity Based on AIS Data

  1. Fishing vessel route density, based on vessel AIS positional data is shown in Figure 3.44   Open ▸ for 2019 to 2022 and presented seasonally for 2022 in Figure 3.45   Open ▸ depicting activity in spring, summer, autumn and winter. AIS is required to be fitted on fishing vessels 15 m length. The data is specific to fishing vessels and indicated the route density per square kilometre (km2) per year. This data does not distinguish between transiting vessels and active fishing, but does provide a useful source to corroborate fishing grounds.
  2. AIS data corroborates the very limited activity of fishing vessels across the Array. The Devil’s Hole grounds targeted by demersal otter trawlers is notable within 42F0, corroborating this activity is outside the Array.

3.4.3.    Fishing Intensity Based on Marine Traffic Survey Data

3.4.3. Fishing Intensity Based on Marine Traffic Survey Data

  1. Project-specific marine traffic surveys were undertaken in December 2022 and June 2023, using AIS and radar tracking and visual observations to record vessel activity across the Array. In addition, AIS data across the entire 2022 period has been interrogated to inform the Shipping and Navigation Navigational Risk Assessment (NRA) (volume 3, appendix 13.1).
  2. Volume 3, appendix 13.1 provides details of the Winter and Summer Vessel Traffic Surveys, alongside analysis of fishing vessel activity from 12 months of collated AIS data. Overall, fishing was found to be relatively low, with the majority of vessels in transit to/from fishing grounds, notably transiting in a north-west to south-east direction. Only a small proportion of fishing vessels were considered to be involved in active fishing activity, with the majority of this occurring outside the Array during the months of May, June, and September.
  3. Analysis of the unique daily fishing vessels indicated that, on average, one fishing vessel was seen within the shipping and navigation study area every two to three days across the annual 2022 data period. Further details are available within volume 3, appendix 13.1.

3.4.4.    Fishing Intensity Based on Surveillance Data

3.4.4. Fishing Intensity Based on Surveillance Data

  1. Fisheries surveillance data from 2017 to 2022 has been sourced from the MMO and is presented in Figure 3.46   Open ▸ by vessel nationality and Figure 3.47   Open ▸ by gear type. No surveillance sightings were found within the Array, or within ICES rectangle 42E9.
  2. Fisheries surveillance data indicates activity of the following fleets:
  • UK scallop dredge vessels operating outside the 12 nm boundary, and approximately 25 km to 60 km west of the Array boundary;
  • UK potting vessels operating both inside and outside the 12 nm boundary, and approximately 50 km to 80 km west of the Array boundary;
  • UK, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian and German pelagic trawlers operating approximately 20 km to 60 km north of the Array boundary; and
  • UK demersal otter trawlers operating and approximately 17 km to 60 km east of the Array boundary.
  1. The fisheries surveillance data corroborates the findings of the other data sources reviewed, confirming the low level of activity fishing activity within the Array.

Figure 3.23:
Fishing Restrictions (Source: Seafish Kingfisher, 2024)

Figure 3.23: Fishing Restrictions (Source: Seafish Kingfisher, 2024)


Figure 3.24:
UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Pelagic Otter Trawls from 2016 to 2019 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.24: UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Pelagic Otter Trawls from 2016 to 2019 (Source: MMO, 2022a)


Figure 3.25:
UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Pelagic Otter Trawls in 2020 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.25: UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Pelagic Otter Trawls in 2020 (Source: MMO, 2022a)


Figure 3.26:
Scottish pelagic active fishing operations 2013-2021 (Source: SPFA, 2024)

Figure 3.26: Scottish pelagic active fishing operations 2013-2021 (Source: SPFA, 2024)


Figure 3.27:
Scottish pelagic fishing operations and transits activities 2013-2021 (Source: SPFA, 2024)

Figure 3.27: Scottish pelagic fishing operations and transits activities 2013-2021 (Source: SPFA, 2024)


Figure 3.28:
UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using All Gears from 2011 (Source: MMO, 2024)

Figure 3.28: UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using All Gears from 2011 (Source: MMO, 2024)


Figure 3.29:
UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using All Gears from 2012 to 2015 (Source: MMO, 2018)

Figure 3.29: UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using All Gears from 2012 to 2015 (Source: MMO, 2018)


Figure 3.30:
UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Demersal Otter Trawls from 2016 to 2019 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.30: UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Demersal Otter Trawls from 2016 to 2019 (Source: MMO, 2022a)


Figure 3.31:
UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Demersal Otter Trawls in 2020 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.31: UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Demersal Otter Trawls in 2020 (Source: MMO, 2022a)


Figure 3.32:
 Surface Swept Area Ratio 2016 to 2020 for EU (Including UK) Vessels ≥ 12 m Length Using Demersal Otter Trawl Gear (Source: ICES, 2022)

Figure 3.32:  Surface Swept Area Ratio 2016 to 2020 for EU (Including UK) Vessels ≥ 12 m Length Using Demersal Otter Trawl Gear (Source: ICES, 2022)

Figure 3.33:
 Surface Swept Area Ratio 2016 to 2020 for EU (Including UK) Vessels ≥ 12 m Length Using Demersal Seine (Source: ICES, 2022)

Figure 3.33:  Surface Swept Area Ratio 2016 to 2020 for EU (Including UK) Vessels ≥ 12 m Length Using Demersal Seine (Source: ICES, 2022)

Figure 3.34:
 UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Beam Trawl Gear from 2016 to 2019 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.34:  UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Beam Trawl Gear from 2016 to 2019 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.35:
 UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Beam Trawl Gear in 2020 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.35:  UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Beam Trawl Gear in 2020 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.36:
 Surface Swept Area Ratio 2016 to 2020 for EU (Including UK) vessels ≥ 12 m Length Using Beam Trawl Gear (Source: ICES, 2022)

Figure 3.36:  Surface Swept Area Ratio 2016 to 2020 for EU (Including UK) vessels ≥ 12 m Length Using Beam Trawl Gear (Source: ICES, 2022)

Figure 3.37:
 UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Dredge Gear from 2016 to 2019 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.37:  UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Dredge Gear from 2016 to 2019 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.38:
 UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Dredge Gear from in 2020 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.38:  UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Dredge Gear from in 2020 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.39:
 Surface Swept Area Ratio 2016 to 2020 for EU (Including UK) Vessels ≥ 12 m Length Using Dredge Gear (Source: ICES, 2022)

Figure 3.39:  Surface Swept Area Ratio 2016 to 2020 for EU (Including UK) Vessels ≥ 12 m Length Using Dredge Gear (Source: ICES, 2022)

Figure 3.40:
 UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Pots from 2016 to 2019 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.40:  UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Pots from 2016 to 2019 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.41:
UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Pots in 2020 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.41: UK Vessels ≥ 15 m Length Actively Fishing Using Pots in 2020 (Source: MMO, 2022a)

Figure 3.42:
 Scottish Vessels Under 12 m in Length Operating All Gear Types (Source: Marine Directorate, 2023)

Figure 3.42:  Scottish Vessels Under 12 m in Length Operating All Gear Types (Source: Marine Directorate, 2023)

Figure 3.43:
Norwegian Vessels Over 15 m in Length Operating All Gear Types from 2013 to 2017 (Source: Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, 2023)

Figure 3.43: Norwegian Vessels Over 15 m in Length Operating All Gear Types from 2013 to 2017 (Source: Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, 2023)

Figure 3.44:
AIS Fishing Vessel Route Density from 2019 to 2022 (Source: EMSA, 2023)

Figure 3.44: AIS Fishing Vessel Route Density from 2019 to 2022 (Source: EMSA, 2023)

Figure 3.45:
AIS Fishing Vessel Route Density Presented Seasonally for 2022 (Source: EMSA, 2023)

Figure 3.45: AIS Fishing Vessel Route Density Presented Seasonally for 2022 (Source: EMSA, 2023)

Figure 3.46:
 Surveillance Sightings Data for Vessels Actively Fishing in the Regional Study Area from 2017 to 2022 by Vessel Registered Nationality (Source: MMO, 2023b)

Figure 3.46:  Surveillance Sightings Data for Vessels Actively Fishing in the Regional Study Area from 2017 to 2022 by Vessel Registered Nationality (Source: MMO, 2023b)

Figure 3.47:
Surveillance Sightings Data for Vessels Actively Fishing in the Regional Study Area from 2017 to 2022 by Gear Type (Source: MMO, 2023b)

Figure 3.47: Surveillance Sightings Data for Vessels Actively Fishing in the Regional Study Area from 2017 to 2022 by Gear Type (Source: MMO, 2023b)

4.             Future Baseline

4. Future Baseline

  1. Commercial fisheries patterns change and fluctuate based on a range of natural and management-controlled factors. These factors include the following:
  • Market demand: commercial fishing fleets respond to market demand, which is impacted by a range of factors, including the 2020 to 2021 COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Market prices: commercial fishing fleets respond to market prices by focusing effort on higher value target species when prices are high, and markets are in demand.
  • Stock abundance: fluctuation in the biomass of individual species stocks in response to the status of the stock, recruitment, natural disturbances (e.g. due to storms, sea temperature etc.), changes in fishing pressure etc.
  • Fisheries management: including new management for specific species where overexploitation has been identified, or changes in TACs leading to the relocation of effort, and/or an overall increase/decrease of effort and catches from specific areas.
  • Environmental management: including the potential restriction of certain fisheries within protected areas.
  • Improved efficiency and gear technology: with fishing fleets constantly evolving to reduce operational costs, e.g. by moving from beam trawl to demersal seine.
  • Sustainability: with seafood buyers more frequently requesting certification of the sustainably of fish and shellfish products, such as the Marine Stewardship Council certification, industry is adapting to improve fisheries management and wider environmental impacts.
  1. The variations and trends in commercial fisheries activity are an important aspect of the baseline assessment and forms the principal reason for considering up to five years of key baseline data. Given the time periods assessed, the future baseline scenario would typically be reflected within the current baseline assessment undertaken. However, in this case, existing baseline data do not capture any potential changes in commercial fisheries activity resulting from the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
  2. Following withdrawal, the UK and the EU have agreed to a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), applicable on a provisional basis from 01 January 2021. The TCA sets out fisheries rights and confirms that from 01 January 2021 and during a transition period until 30 June 2026, UK and EU vessels will continue to access respective EEZs (12 nm to 200 nm) to fish. In this period, EU vessels will also be able to fish in specified parts of UK waters between 6 nm to 12 nm.
  3. Twenty five percent of the EU's fisheries quota in UK waters will be transferred to the UK over the five year transition period; most of this quota has already been transferred and distributed across the four nations of the UK. After the five year transition there will be annual discussions on fisheries opportunities. Across the commercial fisheries regional study area, where UK fisheries primarily target non-quota shellfish species, it is expected that fleets are unlikely to be impacted by quota transfers. It is possible that UK vessels will seek to exploit additional quota-species opportunities, but vessels would need to access quota holdings. There has been limited change in the overall UK share for plaice and sole, the key fisheries targeted by non-UK vessels, notably Dutch and Belgian beam trawlers.
  4. Market changes have the potential to impact fishing activity in the commercial fisheries regional study area; some of the catch landed by UK vessels is exported to EU markets (e.g. brown crab) and potential tariff/non-tariff barriers could affect which species are targeted and to what extent.

5.             Summary

5. Summary

  1. This technical report has presented commercial fisheries activity data for the following countries: UK, Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands and France. Based on quota allocations and landing statistics it is understood that vessels registered to other countries do not operate across the commercial fisheries local and regional study areas.
  2. The key fleet métiers operating across the commercial fisheries local and regional study areas include (in no particular order):
  • UK, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch and German pelagic trawlers targeting herring;
  • UK demersal otter trawlers targeting Nephrops, haddock and mixed demersal species;
  • UK demersal seine targeting haddock and mixed demersal species;
  • UK scallop dredgers targeting king scallop;
  • UK potting vessels targeting brown crab and lobster; and
  • Danish industrial trawlers targeting sandeel.
  1. This technical report reviewed all datasets available to characterise the commercial fisheries activity across the commercial fisheries local and regional study areas and wider central North Sea.
  2. Given the range of datasets assessed and the comprehensive analysis undertaken, it is considered that this technical report is adequate for the purposes of an EIA.


6.             References

6. References

European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) (2023). Integrated Maritime Services Automatic identification system (AIS) data for EU fishing vessels from 2019 to 2022 indicating route density per km per annual period.

European Union Data Collection Framework (EU DCF) (2022). Data by quarter-rectangle: Tables and maps of effort and landings by ICES statistical rectangles for 2012 to 2016.

Fishing News, (2016). New 12m catamaran Isobella M BM 220 started potting from Bridlington. Available at: https://fishingnews.co.uk/news/isobella-m-new-12m-potting-catamaran-for-bridlington-skipper/. Accessed on: 18 August 2023.

Fishing News, (2020). Advanced beam scalloper. Available at: https://fishingnews.co.uk/features/alcedo-advanced-kirkcudbright-beam-scalloper-built-by-parkol-marine-engineering-for-west-coast-sea-products/. Accessed on: 18 August 2023.

ICES (2022). Spatial data layers of fishing intensity/pressure for EU vessels operating within ICES defined Celtic Seas Ecoregion and Greater North Sea Ecoregion.

Kingfisher (2023). UK Fishing Restrictions. Available at: https://kingfisherrestrictions.org. Accessed on: 18 August 2023.

Marchal, P. (2008). A comparative analysis of métiers and catch profiles for some French demersal and pelagic fleets. ICES Journal of Marine Science (1054-3139) (Oxford university press), 2008-05, Vol. 65, N. 4, P. 674-686. 65,. 10.1093/icesjms/fsn044.

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (2016). UK sea fisheries annual statistics report 2016.

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (2018). Vessel Monitoring System data for non-UK registered vessels for 2012 to 2015 indicating hours fishing for mobile and static vessels to a resolution of 200th of an ICES rectangle.

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (2022a). UK sea fisheries annual statistics report 2021.

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (2022b). Vessel Monitoring System data for non-UK registered vessels for 2016 to 2020 indicating hours fishing for mobile and static vessels to a resolution of 200th of an ICES rectangle.

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (2023a). UK sea fisheries annual statistics report 2022.

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (2023b). Surveillance sightings data for UK and non-UK fishing vessels for the period 2017-2022. 

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (2024). Vessel Monitoring System data for non-UK registered vessels for 2011 indicating hours fishing for mobile and static vessels to a resolution of 200th of an ICES rectangle.

Marine Scotland (2023). National Marine Plan interactive (NMPi).

Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries (2023). Statistikkomrader: Norwegian long term vessel monitoring system data for Norwegian vessels.

Poseidon (undated). Photograph taken by Poseidon staff.

Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA) (2024). VMS data for SPFA Scottish pelagic trawl member vessels for 2013 to 2021 indicating activie fishing and transiting activities.

Seafish (2015). Basic fishing methods. A comprehensive guide to commercial fishing methods.

Seitz, R.D., Wennhage, H., Bergstro, U., Lipcius, R.N. and Ysebaert, T. (2014). Ecological value of coastal habitats for commercially and ecologically important species. ICES Journal of Marine Science. 71 (3), 648–665.