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Policy Paper Published 16 Dec 2025 Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Marine Management Organisation ↗ View on GOV.UK

Southern North Sea demersal non-quota species fisheries management plan (FMP) for English waters

The Southern North Sea demersal non-quota species FMP describes how we will achieve the long-term sustainable management of these fisheries in English waters.

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The Southern North Sea demersal non-quota species (NQS) 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  

  • other fishery stakeholders    

The Southern North Sea demersal non-quota species (NQS) FMP has been prepared and published to meet the requirements set out in the Fisheries Act 2020.

Areas covered

English waters. 

Species 

The following species are covered by the Southern North Sea demersal non-quota species FMP.   

Bony fish:  

  • john dory  

  • red mullet  

  • grey gurnard  

  • red gurnard  

  • tub gurnard  

Elasmobranchs: 

  • lesser spotted dogfish  

  • smoothhound 

Cephalopods: 

  • common cuttlefish 

  • common octopus 

  • curled octopus  

  • veined squid or longfinned squid  

  • European common squid  

  • common squid

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 demersal non-quota species: 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.