Amendment to the joint fisheries statement

Overview

The Scottish Government and other UK administrations have announced a consultation on proposed amendments to Annex A of the joint fisheries statement in relation to the fisheries management plans. 

A consultation document setting out the proposed amendments has been laid in the Scottish Parliament. The consultation document can be viewed here (note the consultation is being co-ordinated by the UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). 

The consultation document states that “the nature of what FMPs are seeking to achieve, and the process for developing them, is complex and each plan is unique”.  It goes on to state that, “as a result of our experience to date, it has become clear that it is no longer possible to publish the remaining FMPs according to the original timetable set out in Annex A”. 

The consultation document proposes the following— 

• Extending the deadline for FMP publication, including extending the deadline for the 22 FMPs led by the Scottish Ministers to 2026 
• Making a “number of technical and other relatively small amendments” to a number of the FMPs 
• Creating a new FMP for periwinkles in Northern Ireland and 
• Changes to the authorities responsible for the preparation and publication of FMPs. 

The administrations are consulting on the JFS amendments between 10 October and 21 November 2024.  The proposed amendments must be considered by each legislature before 21 November 2024. 

The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee wants your views on the draft amendments to the joint fisheries statement. 

How to submit your views

Please submit your views using the online submission form, linked to below.

We welcome written views in English, Gaelic, Scots or any other language. 

The call for views closes at 5pm on Monday 28 October.