Formal Consultation, Lyme Bay Potential Management Measures for Sole Fishery

The MMO is consulting on potential new management measures for the sole fishery in Lyme Bay. This is in response to feedback from some fishers in Lyme Bay who have experienced competition for space and gear conflict. Some fishers also report a reduction in the amount and size of sole caught. The total available quota for sole in Area 7.e has more than doubled since 2015. This allowed the MMO to increase the monthly catch limits for the non-sector, under-10m and over-10m fleets from 30kg in some months in 2015 up to 3t for some months in 2019 and 2.8t maximum in 2022. The increase in quota availability has led to increased uptake and an increase in the total value earned from sole by those fleets. The MMO, has however, received reports that the increased availability of quota has resulted in increased fishing activity and a competition for space in Lyme Bay. Some fishers report knock-on effects in terms of gear conflict