Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Deferred
Paragraph: 47
Introduce phased mandatory bycatch monitoring for vessels; publish action plan by December 2023
Recommendation
Current levels of bycatch monitoring are insufficient to gain an accurate picture of the numbers of marine mammals killed or injured in this way, despite the requirement for vessels to report marine mammal bycatch. While we heard suggestions that mandatory remote electronic monitoring (REM) should be introduced, we are mindful of the significant burden such a requirement would place on the fishing industry, especially smaller vessels. We therefore recommend that the Government introduces mandatory bycatch monitoring, but that this is phased over several years, with smaller vessels being given extra time and, where necessary, financial support to meet their obligations. We would like to see an action plan to achieve this, with targets and milestones, by December 2023.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the potential benefits of mandatory bycatch monitoring and notes it has recently consulted on remote electronic monitoring. It is currently considering the responses to this consultation and will respond formally in due course, thus deferring any commitment to the recommended action plan or implementation.
Paragraph Reference:
47
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We acknowledge the potential benefits of using remote electronic monitoring technologies to enhance data collection on fishing activity at sea, including the monitoring of bycatch. We have recently consulted on remote electronic monitoring [https://consult.defra.gov.uk/marine-and-fisheries/remote-electronic-monitoring/]. We are considering the responses to this consultation and will respond formally in due course.