Cuttlefish is critical to the businesses of fishers working in ICES areas 7d and 7e, and there are concerns that stock levels are at risk of being over exploited.

Work on the Channel Demersal Non-Quota Species Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) identified a need to better understand fishing impact on numbers and the health of stocks.

Further engagement with stakeholders, including commercial fishing representatives, last year demonstrated that formal management measures would not be required right now and would risk causing economic harm to fishers on the south coast.

After listening to stakeholder feedback, MMO fisheries managers developed the cuttlefish action plan to better monitor and collect data to help with future decisions on potential management, including testing technical measures to conserve stocks.

The plan is an important part of the implementation of the Channel Demersal Non-quota species FMP published in December 2023.

MMO has now:

• Introduced a voluntary code of practice on trap and pot handling in English waters from the 6nm limit out to 200nm in ICES divisions 7d and 7e. This is designed to improve survival rates for cuttlefish eggs and development of juveniles
• Launched three cuttlefish species identification cards to help fishers to correctly identify and report catches and landings of specific species of cuttlefish. Better species-specific data will support improved understanding of stocks levels and their health so future decisions can be made based on evidence.
• Undertaken monitoring and market sampling to better understand cuttlefish catch composition.

The full action plan can be read here or email sustainablefisheries@marinemanagement.org.uk