Introduction
Quota management aims to enable the UK and other Member States of the EU to meet their obligations under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The purpose of our quota management arrangements is to enable the fishing industry to make full use of the fishing opportunities which we receive every year from the EU, while ensuring that the UK's quotas are not exceeded. To achieve this quotas are shared out in a way which relates to a vessels' previous fishing activity or "track record". This allows fish Producers Organisations (POs) to manage their allocations of fish quota according to the needs of their members (vessels) and take appropriate action to ensure that quotas are not overfished.
Quotas are allocated between various groups according to a methodology agreed annually by Fisheries Administrations after consultation with the industry. Since January 1999, quotas have been allocated to these groups based on the fixed quota allocation (FQA) units associated with the licenses of vessels in membership of the groups as at 1 January of the relevant year.
Quotas are shared out; or "allocated" - to the following groups:
• Individual fish producer organisations (POs), who manage quota for the vessels in their membership. The POs collectively are described as "the sector"
• The "non-sector", a group comprising all those vessels over 10 metres in length which are not fishing against quota allocations managed by POs
And
• The 10 metres and under fleet, comprising those vessels of 10 metres and under in length which are not fishing against quota allocations managed by POs.
Management of PO Allocations
Once allocations are made, POs may adopt whatever method of management best suits their members. Fisheries Administrations monitor uptake and close PO fisheries when their allocation has been taken. Such closures are normally enforced through license variations, prohibiting vessels from catching or landing the stock.
Management Of Non-Sector and 10 metre and under allocations
Management arrangements for the allocations against which vessels in these groups fish are decided upon by Fisheries Administrations in consultation with relevant industry interests. In practice, vessels in these groups fish against catch limits for most stocks for which these groups have an allocation (mainly on the basis of monthly management periods but, since July 2006, 3-monthly in the case of NS and WS nephrops). These catch limits are, like PO closures, enforced through license variations.
Further detail, explanation and FAQ's can be found in the Scottish Government's leaflet Fisheries quota management (pdf) which can be obtained either by e-mailing john.robb@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or from Fishery Offices in Scotland.