Common whelk

This stock is data limited. There is concern for the biomass and concern for fishing pressure, due to a lack of data.  Route 2 (data limited) scoring has been applied to this rating owing to the lack of a reference point for biomass and fishing pressure.No independent assessment of species resilience or vulnerability is available. Common whelks mature between 6-9 years with a growth rate of k=0.2 and they are estimated to live around 10-12 years. Additionally, the species has sedentary life history characteristics. Therefore, MCS assesses the species to have low resilience.No stock assessments are undertaken for Scottish whelks and there is no accessible information about stock levels or recent fishing pressure. Information from Marine Scotland indicates that further assessment of whelk stocks is not underway. An unpublished IFMAC report (17-02) for whelk fishing in Scotland shows steadily increasing landings between 2011-2016. Therefore, there is concern for biomass and concern for fishing pressure.

The few management measures in place for this fishery are not shown to be effective at managing the stock. Scottish (excluding Shetland) whelk fisheries are data-poor, and the absence of stock assessments has prevented the definition of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits and presents a number of challenges for management. There are no biologically referenced catch or effort restrictions.   The current management measure in place to regulate this fishery is the EU-wide Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS) shell height of 45mm, as defined under EC regulation No 850/98. They must also be landed whole. This is the only management regulation transposed into UK fisheries legislation for the protection of whelk (B. undatum). Available information indicates that options for managing Scottish inshore fisheries are being considered but no detail is available about how this could be, or is being, applied to whelk fisheries. There are no whelk catch limits for hobby fishers.   Research indicates that average size at maturity at which 50% of the population is mature (SOM) is >62.7mm. Therefore, the current EU MCRS does virtually nothing to protect whelk spawning stocks. However, whelk shape and size at maturity has been shown to be variable throughout UK waters and so a single increase to the current MCRS could impact some fishers disproportionately. Smaller-scale management should be considered on a region-by-region basis throughout all UK waters, to assess the suitability of each measure per capture area. The Whelk Management Group (WMG) was formed in 2019 to facilitate the exchange of information relating to the common whelk in the UK, however, no information from Scotland has been shared in recent meetings.    Whelks are a non-quota species and are caught predominantly in inshore waters by small vessels. Any appropriately registered and licensed fishing vessel with either a 10m and under or over 10m license may prosecute them in Scottish waters.  All catches must be landed and reported using either the Marine Scotland Fish 1 form or e-log, as appropriate to the size of vessel. Additional management measures are needed to manage whelk stocks around the UK. Proposals have included: a closed season during likely spawning periods; setting catch limits based on stock assessment; setting stock appropriate MLS, and; effort controls, as implemented in some crab and lobster fisheries.   The UK Fisheries Act came into force in January 2021 and requires the development of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs). In the UK, it is too early to tell how effective management is, as the Fisheries Act only came into force in January 2021. The Act requires the development of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) (replacing EU Multi-Annual Plans). FMPs are currently in development, but the scope of them remains unclear. They have the potential to be very important tools for managing UK fisheries, although data limitations may delay them for some stocks. MCS is keen to see publicly available FMPs for all commercially exploited stocks, especially where stocks are depleted, that include: Targets for fishing pressure and biomass, and additional management when those targets are not being met, based on the best available scientific evidence Timeframes for stock recovery Improved data collection, transparency and accountability, supported by technologies such as Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) Consideration of wider environmental impacts of the fishery

Potting or creeling is associated with negligible bycatch and habitat impacts, unless undertaken at high density or in sensitive environments. Potting may result in the entanglement of whales in this area.Whelks are mainly caught in customised baited plastic pots in Scottish waters.Bycatch species can both be caught during creel fishing and if pots are lost resulting in ghost fishing. Where studies have been undertaken small sharks, crustaceans, starfish and fish have been reported. A study has indicated that non-target species can usually escape creels after days or weeks especially if the pots include escape gaps for smaller animals.Discards are unknown and discard survival data are limited. However, invertebrates are understood to have high survival rates when discarded from pots or creels.In Scottish creel fisheries, there is potential for entanglement of endangered, threatened or protected (ETP) species from the ropes attached to the pots. The main species at risk are minke and humpback whales, basking sharks and leatherback turtles. Minke whales are the most common whale, however entanglement rates for humpback whales are relatively high given their low abundance in Scottish waters and may exceed sustainable levels for the species. A 2010 report found that Shetland has lower risk of entanglement than elsewhere in Scotland. Monitoring to date has been poor, with bycatch reporting requirements only in place since 2021 in the UK. Work is underway with fishers to investigate ways to reduce these risks, but no wide scale mitigation measures have so far been introduced.Habitat impacts from potting are low but can occur, impacting the benthic habitat through contact with the pot or end weight, or by scouring from ropes. Most damage occurs where traps are set in rocky habitats that are home to slow growing anchored species including soft corals, sponges and sea mats. These habitats and species provide nursery areas, refuges from predators and habitat for the settlement of invertebrate spat. Research that has taken place suggests that while some damage does occur, it is unlikely to be significant unless potting intensity is high (defined as approximately 30 pots per 500 square metres).Pot fishing is associated with negligible bycatch and habitat impacts. If undertaken at high intensity or in areas where entanglements are common there would be greater concern.To improve monitoring and reporting of fishing activity, MCS would like to see remote electronic monitoring (REM) with cameras implemented, used and enforced. To reduce the impacts of fishing on the marine environment we would like to see a just transition to the complete removal of bottom towed gear from offshore Marine Protected Areas designated to protect the seabed. We also want to see reduction and mitigation of environmental impacts including emissions and blue carbon habitat damage.

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