3.2. Non-UK Landings

3.2.1. Landings by EU Countries

43. 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.
44. 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)

45. 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.
46. 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.
47. EU vessels are included in the spatial activity assessment provided in section 3.4.
48. 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 3.18: 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

49. 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.

50. 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

51. 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.
52. 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.
53. 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

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

                        Key species caught by vessels operating pelagic trawl

                        Herring

54. 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.
55. 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

56. 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.
57. 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

58. 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.
59. Vessel numbers vary, and their presence is dependent upon the success of demersal and/or Nephrops catches elsewhere.
60. 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

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

61. 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.
62. 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.
63. 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)
64. 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

65. 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.
66. 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.
67. Landings occur throughout the year and on average peak during autumn.

                        Whiting

68. 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.
69. 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).
70. 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.
71. Whiting are typically targeted during spring and summer months as part of both targeted and mixed demersal fisheries.

                        Monkfish

72. 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.
73. 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.
74. 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.
75. Monkfish are a highly valuable demersal fish species, caught almost exclusively by demersal otter trawls.

3.3.3. Dredge

76. 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.
77. 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.
78. 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.
79. 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.
80. 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

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

81. 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.
82. 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.
83. 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

84. 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.
85. 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.
86. 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

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

                        Key species caught by vessels operating pots

                        Lobster

87. 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).
88. 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).
89. 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

90. 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.
91. 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).