RDE673 Science communication of Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) Evidence

Purpose: • The Fisheries Act 2020 commits the UK to publishing 43 FMPs by the end of 2025 and as set out in the Joint Fisheries Statement, Defra is responsible for delivering 15 of these plans. • Five FMPs have been published to date with the implementation of these plans underway. • The Defra led FMP Programme has been delivered in a transparent and collaborative approach with stakeholders. In early 2024, we committed to adopting a similar approach on the evidence stream of the FMP Programme. • Alongside the published FMPs, Evidence Statements were produced for each FMP that sets out the current baseline of evidence on the stocks in the plans and those fishing them. A list of evidence gaps was also produced which sets out what evidence is still needed in order to be able to implement the goals and measures as set out in the plans. • Defra, working with Cefas, have commissioned the delivery of various projects to start addressing some of these evidence gaps, and will aim to commission further work next financial year to continue to address these gaps. • To ensure transparency we would like to communicate this work to stakeholders, as well as gather feedback and identify opportunities for collaboration for next financial year.