Management requires considerable improvement. Landings are not effectively controlled or reported and there is no Total Allowable Catch (TAC) or Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS) in place.Red gurnard is mainly caught as bycatch, at low levels. No known fisheries target the species, although consistent landings are reported by several fishing operations. The majority of landings are from the English Channel and North Sea.There are no stock assessments for red gurnard in the area and no minimum landing size is set, though size of maturity is around 25cm. ICES have recently identified a need to improve data and update the assessment methods for red gurnard and other western stocks in the future.Landings data are improving but are not considered reliable due to poor resolution to species level. Red gurnard is a non-quota species that is not covered by the landings obligation, so they can be discarded at sea. Reporting of discarding is variable and ranges from 14-94% of catches. Therefore, landing trends can’t be accurately monitored. ICES recommends that species level reporting and additional observation methods to accurately assess discards are undertaken to address data problems.In 2021, ICES have highlighted that poor data means catch recommendations cannot be provided from 2022 onwards. Therefore, fishing pressure and landings are not effectively monitored or controlled.There are some indications of separate stocks of red gurnard within the assessment area, however, further research is needed to confirm this. If there are smaller spatial units, the current assessments for just one stock across subareas 3-8 would not be able to effectively manage the species sustainably. Further consideration is needed as the management area does not relate directly to the stock area, with 9a (Iberian coast) outside of the assessment area reporting commercial landings. The EU and UK both have fishery management measures, which can include catch limits, population targets, and gear restrictions. However, compliance in the EU and UK has been inconsistent, with ongoing challenges in implementing some regulations. The goal of reaching Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) by 2020 was missed, with less than half of UK TACs in 2024 following ICES advice. In 2024, the EU and UK reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable fisheries by aligning management with scientific advice to gradually approach MSY. However, no new target date has been set for achieving MSY across all fisheries. The Landing Obligation (LO), an EU law retained by the UK post-Brexit, requires all quota fish to be landed, even if unwanted (over-quota or below minimum size). It aims to encourage more selective fishing methods, reduce bycatch, and improve catch reporting. However, compliance is poor, and accurate discard levels are hard to quantify with current monitoring programmes. The UK is in the process of replacing the LO with country-specific Catching Policies. The Marine Conservation Society views Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) with cameras is one of the most cost-effective tools for providing reliable fisheries data and aiding informed management decisions. Fully monitored fisheries enhance collaboration, data accuracy, stock recovery, and reduce impacts on marine wildlife and habitats. However, the full potential of REM may only be achieved when it tracks fishing location and documents catch and bycatch, particularly where vulnerable species and habitats are at risk. As of January 2024, the EU is introducing a Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) mandate for EU vessels, including CCTV cameras on vessels 18m or more that pose a potential risk of non-compliance, within the next 4 years. Across the UK, different approaches to REM are being taken and legislation is expected to be in place across all 4 countries within the next few years. The Fisheries Act (2020) requires the development of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) (replacing EU Multi-Annual Plans) in the UK. 43 FMPs have been proposed and are at various stages of development and implementation, these should all be published by the end of 2028. FMPs have the potential to be very important tools for managing UK fisheries, although data limitations may delay them for some stocks. It is also essential the UK governments define and adopt a standardised approach or model across the four nations to a universally defined FMP design, to ensure the consistence, quality and coherence of all the proposal FMPs. The Marine Conservation Society is keen to see publicly available Fishery Management Plans for all commercially exploited stocks, especially where stocks are depleted, that include: An overview of the fishery including current stock status, spatial coverage, current fishing methods and impacts Targets for fishing pressure and biomass, and additional management when those targets are not being met, based on the best 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, including habitat impacts and minimising bycatch Stakeholder engagement A Channel non-quota demersal FMP has been proposed, coordinated by DEFRA that incorporates this stock. At the time of writing, it is too soon to know whether proposed management measures will be effective in managing the stock. For more information about this FMP and expected progress and timelines, see [https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fisheries-management-plans#published-fmps].
