North Sea Waters

The landing obligation was introduced in fisheries of interest to the UK fleet in the North Sea from 2015 onwards, and is being introduced for all fisheries covered by the Common Fisheries Policy by 2019. When the landing obligation is fully implemented from 1 January 2019, skippers will be obliged to land all commercial quota species they catch.

The first stage of this was introduced from 1 January 2015, when the pelagic and industrial fisheries fell under the landing obligation.

The demersal landing obligation was introduced in fisheries of interest to the UK fleet in the North Sea from 1 January 2016. It will impact all fisheries covered by the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) by 2019. Because the regulation relates to fisheries rather than species, this means that during the transition phase (2016 to 2018) there will be some species that can be discarded by some vessels but not by others, in the same sea area.

Member States that were members of the North Sea Advisory Council drew up Discard Plans for which species will need to be landed by which vessels in the North Sea. The plans detail the species covered, provisions on catch documentation, minimum conservation reference sizes, and exemptions (for fish that may survive after returning them to the sea, and a specific de minimis discard allowance under certain conditions). The plans have a maximum duration of three years and eventually the provisions of the landing obligation will become incorporated into Multi Annual Plans.

New guidance for 2019 is being included as it is published. Please note links to new MMO gear selectivity fact sheets at the bottom of the page, as well as specific guidance for dealing with choke scenarios under the landing obligation.

Discard Atlas for the North Sea