The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has welcomed improvements to the latest Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) released for consultation by Defra, but says areas for improvement remain.
Responding to the latest package of FMPs, the OEP says the new approach makes it easier to identify specific actions that will restore or maintain relevant fish stocks. The use of specific performance indicators to track implementation of the actions in one plan is particularly welcome and should be replicated in others.
The response also welcomes an improved approach to applying the precautionary principle. This principle states that a lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.
Some areas for improvement remain and are identified in the consultation response. The OEP reiterates its recommendation from a previous consultation on FMPs that the plans should place stronger emphasis still on how goals will be achieved, with measures proposed that can be effectively assessed for progress.
It also recommends that details on how the Environmental Principles Policy Statement has been applied should be published alongside the final FMPs.
Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair of the OEP, said: “We are pleased to see meaningful improvements in the latest package of FMPs.
“Our comments are intended to support the continued strengthening of the plans as they enter their implementation phase. It is essential that the final plans are published as soon as possible, and robust measures are identified, adopted and implemented at pace to ensure government’s plans for achieving its stated objectives and statutory targets are credible and coherent.”
Defra released the latest package of FMPs for consultation in September last year. FMPs are an important vehicle for Government to meet its environmental targets and commitment to deliver sustainable fisheries.
The OEP’s response to a previous consultation on FMPs can be found here: OEP response to Defra consultations on Fisheries Management Plans | Office for Environmental Protection
