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Non-technical summaryÌýÌý

°Õ³ó±ðÌýSouthern North Sea demersal non-quota species fisheries management plan (FMP)Ìýhas been prepared to meet the requirements ofÌý. It sets out the policies and proposed measuresÌýDefraÌýwill use to manage demersal non-quota species (NQS) fishing activity in the Southern North Sea, so stocks are harvested within sustainable levels. Alongside these measures, the Southern North Sea demersal NQS FMP also sets out management to help support wider social,ÌýeconomicÌýand environmental aspects of the fishery.ÌýÌý

This environmental report has been producedÌýin accordance withÌýÌý(SEA Regulations 2004). The following issues (fromÌýschedule 2, paragraph 6 of the SEA Regulations 2004) were scoped into the assessment:  Ìý

• ²ú¾±´Ç»å¾±±¹±ð°ù²õ¾±³Ù²â Ìý

• ´Ú²¹³Ü²Ô²¹â€¯Ìý

• ´Ú±ô´Ç°ù²¹â€¯Ìý

• geology and sediments (soil) Ìý

• ·É²¹³Ù±ð°ù Ìý

• climatic factors Ìý

• cultural heritage Ìý

• landscape and seascape Ìý

This assessment focuses on how the policies and actions in theÌýSouthern North Sea demersal NQSÌýFMP could give rise to both significant positive and negative environmental effects. The findings of this assessment have been used to inform the development of the FMP.  ÌýÌý

The assessment was conducted against a baseline that primarily used existing evidence on the state of the marine environment. This isÌýset out inÌýthe updated UK marine strategy part oneÌýpublished in 2019.ÌýAdditionalÌýsources of evidence were used toÌýestablishÌýthe status of environment in relation to issues, such as climatic factors, not covered by the UK Marine Strategy (UK MS). The historical impact of fishing activity on the marine environment has been considered part of the baseline.ÌýOur assessment used the best available evidence to reach a suitable judgement on the environmental effects of theÌýSouthern North Sea demersal NQS FMP.  Ìý

This report sets out those plans,ÌýprogrammesÌýand environmental protectionÌýobjectives, both international and domestic, thatÌýDefraÌýconsiders relevant to the Southern North Sea demersal NQS FMP.Ìý

This report considers and acknowledges the existing environmental effects of fishing for demersal NQS using towed gear and nets in the Southern North Sea on those issues scoped into this assessment, in relation to:ÌýÌý

• marineÌýprotectedÌýareas (MPAs)Ìý

• the UK MS descriptors ofÌýgoodÌýenvironmentalÌýstatus (GES) for the wider marine environmentÌýÌý

• climatic factorsÌý

The potential positive and negative environmental effects of the Southern North Sea demersal NQS FMP’s policies and proposed measures,Ìýalone and in-combination,Ìýhave also been assessed.ÌýÌý

°Õ³ó±ðÌýstrategicÌýenvironmentalÌýassessment (SEA) has concluded that beyond the direct impact on targeted stocks, the fishery has an impact on the wider marine environment. This isÌýprimarily through seabed disturbance (from mobile demersal gears) and bycatch of unwantedÌýorÌýprotected species (mainly fromÌýdrift and fixed nets). Actions have been proposed to investigate these impacts and use this evidence to develop robust mitigation strategies.ÌýÌý

The contribution of demersal non-quota fishing to climate change related issues and cultural heritage, for example through structural damage, was also identified as a potential impact.ÌýThe impact ofÌýdemersal NQSÌýfishing in MPAs is managed in the 0 to 12 nautical miles (nm) zone in English waters. Management in MPAs beyond the 12nm limit is being considered and implemented where necessary.Ìý

The Southern North Sea demersal NQS FMP has considered these impacts and sets out proposals toÌýmonitorÌýand, whereÌýrequired, introduce mitigation to address these impacts.ÌýÌý

The assessment ofÌýlikely negative effectsÌýidentifiedÌýa low riskÌýof significant adverse effects on the environment from implementing individual policies,ÌýmeasuresÌýand actions. The policies, measures and actions will, whereÌýappropriate, be developed to avoidÌýany potentialÌýnegative effectsÌýidentifiedÌýby the assessment progress. The environmental effects of implementing the Southern North Sea demersal NQS FMP policies and measures will also beÌýmonitoredÌýtoÌýidentifyÌýunforeseen adverse effects at an early stage, soÌýappropriate remedialÌýaction can be undertaken.ÌýÌý

This assessment recommendsÌýthat future iterations ofÌýthe Southern North Sea demersal NQS FMP should consider:Ìý

• how they can develop the cultural heritage of each fishery and how fisheries management can contribute to reducing potential negative interactions with marine heritage assetsÌý

• how fisheries management can contribute to reducing potential negative interactions with submerged prehistoric landscapes or seascapesÌý

Read the full environmental report for theÌýNorth Sea demersal non-quota speciesÌýFMP.