Southern North Sea and Channel skates and rays fisheries management plan (FMP) for English waters

The Southern North Sea and Channel skates and rays fisheries management plan (FMP) covers stocks in English waters only. 

Defra prepared the FMP in partnership with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), in collaboration with scientists, regulators, statutory nature conservation bodies and other fishery stakeholders. 

The Southern North Sea and Channel skates and rays FMP has been prepared and published to meet the requirements set out in the Fisheries Act 2020. 

You can also read the summary of what happens next. 

Read more about fisheries management plans. 

Areas covered 

English waters. 

Species 

The following species are covered by the Southern North Sea and Channel skates and rays FMP: 

• blonde ray  

• cuckoo ray  

• small-eyed ray 

• spotted ray 

• starry ray 

• thornback ray 

• undulate ray 

Status 

A public consultation to seek views on the draft plan closed on 19 January 2025. View the consultation and the government response at Southern North Sea and Channel skates and rays: proposed fisheries management plan consultation. 

The final FMP was published in December 2025. 

Contact us 

If you would like more information, email FMPs@defra.gov.uk.