扒哥吃瓜

This meeting was held online via Microsoft Teams on听Thursday听13th听November听2025 (10:00am听to听12:15pm).

础迟迟别苍诲别别蝉听

• Martin Underwood听-听Defra 肠丑补颈谤听

• Katie Haldenby,听Helen Hunter -听Defra听

• Ella Brock听-听Seafish听

• Foster Gault听-听Seafood Ecosse,听Scottish White Fish Producers听Association听

• David McCandless听- North Eastern听Inshore Fishery and Conservation Authority听

• Robert听Enever听-听Fishtek听Marine听

• Clarus Chu听-听WWF UK听

• Andrew Brown听-听Clearwater听

• Holly Kaiser -听Fishery听Improvement听Project (FIP)听representative听听

• Callum Williams听-听Marine Management Organisation听(MMO)听

• Bill Brock听-听Leach Fishing听

• Libby West - Natural England听

• Leonie Robinson, Laura Seddon, Rebecca Korda听- MMO听Evidence听

• Tomas Chaigneau - Exeter University

Apologies听

• David Beard听-听Manx Fish Producers Organisation听

• Juliette Hatchman听-听South听West听Fish听Producers听Organisation (SWFPO),听Scallop Industry Consultation Group (SICG)听

• Stuart King听-听West Coast Sea Products听

• Harry Owen听-听Western Fish Producers Organisation听

• Mark Duffy - Natural England

Agenda听

1. Welcome, apologies, minute taker, review of actions from听August听meeting听

2. Closure guidance update听

3. Low impact听task and finish group proposal听

4. Annual membership and Terms听of听Reference听review听

5. Stakeholder engagement discussion听

6. FMP actions on听partnership working听

7. Input and output controls: reflections,听updates听and next steps听

8. Presentation on the听Management Assessment and Prioritisation Tool for Action听(MAPTA)听research project听

9. Any other business

10. Review of actions and close

1.听Welcome, apologies, minute taker, review of actions from听August听meeting听

All actions from the听previous听meeting听have been completed听with the exception of听the听MYSt听update and the declaration of interest form.听

It was confirmed that the听expert group听MYSt听report听is due to be delivered by the end of the year and will be shared with the KSIG once available.听Some declaration of interest forms听are听still outstanding and members will send them in.

2.听Closure guidance update听

Callum Williams (MMO) presented the revised closure guidance document, explaining that it outlines principles and criteria for implementing spatial closures. He emphasised that the document听remains听flexible and will evolve over time. Stakeholder feedback has improved clarity and structure, and MMO will circulate the final draft for comments within 2 weeks before publication,听likely accompanied听by a blog post.听

Action: MMO (Callum Williams) to circulate updated closure guidance and slides听by 28 November 2025.听

Discussion听

A member raised concerns about the strategic role of closures and their dependency on other management measures. MMO and Defra confirmed听that decisions around听closures are听taken听on a case-by-case basis and support broader FMP听objectives. Members also discussed the recent 2026鈥�2027 closure consultation, and MMO confirmed a standalone SICG meeting will be held to discuss responses.

3.听Low impact听scallop harvesting听task and finish听group听proposal听

Libby West, on behalf of Mark Duffy,听presented the updated proposal听for听a low impact听task and finish group. The group would be听focusing on听a number of听areas including:听听

• understanding and听reducing benthic damage and disturbance听

• assessing dredging effort and spatial footprint听

• mapping work commissioned by Natural England听

The proposal also includes evaluation of enviro dredge impacts and emissions. The proposal听clarifies that听bycatch听remains听a secondary focus,听which is currently being听led by听the听FIP.听

Discussion听

Members requested time to review the document before commenting. David McCandless flagged comparative dredge trials underway in the NEIFCA district.听

Action:听Mark听Duffy听to reflect the trials in the NEIFCA district in the proposal听by December 2025.听

Action: Members to review the proposal and provide feedback within 2 weeks听by听5 December 2025.

4. Annual membership and Terms of Reference (ToR) review听

Chair responsibility听

As the group marked one year since the formation of KSIG,听the Chair opened discussion on who should continue听in the role听as Chair. There was听strong support听by KSIG members for Defra to continue to act as Chair. This will be reviewed again, as per the听ToR, in a year鈥檚 time.听

Membership changes听

The group acknowledged the departure of Lewis Tattersall from听Seafish听and welcomed Ella Brock as his replacement.听The Chair听noted that Ella has听already been involved in the FMP process and would bring valuable continuity and insight to the group.听

Members听reviewed the membership听and were asked if there were any changes. Clarification under David McCandless鈥檚听representation was highlighted as the听ToR听should听state听that he听represents听IFCAs听rather than just NEIFCA. The Chair听clarified that IFCA members were present in a national capacity, not as representatives of individual districts. This distinction was important to ensure strategic alignment and avoid duplication of effort across regional bodies. David McCandless supported this clarification, noting that while regional perspectives are valuable, the group鈥檚 remit is national and should remain so.听

The conversation then turned to听2听potential new members who could contribute meaningfully, particularly in听representing听the under 15m scalloping sector. Members were听generally supportive听of expanding the group鈥檚听expertise, provided that any additions were carefully considered to听maintain听balance and effectiveness.听

Environmental听NGO representation听

Environmental听NGO听(eNGO)听representation was another focal point. Currently, the group includes one听eNGO听member, but several participants expressed interest in adding a second to strengthen environmental input.听Members听emphasised the importance of constructive engagement, suggesting that听membership听should be solutions-focussed and aligned with the group鈥檚 collaborative ethos. There was also discussion about the need for transparency and adherence to the group鈥檚 code of conduct, especially as the group鈥檚 influence grows.听

The Chair听reiterated that diversity of perspectives is essential for the success of the FMP and that Defra would explore options for broadening representation while听maintaining听the group鈥檚 efficiency and cohesion.听

It was suggested听by some members听that听increasing听environmental听expertise听could also be achieved through environmental听expertise, as there were听a number of听different experts in this field for example IFCA environmental听representative.听

Action:听Defra to听circulate听updated听ToR听to members听by 21 November.听

Action:听All members to review and approve the updated听ToR听within 2 weeks听by听5 December.听听

Action:听Defra to听propose options for听additional听eNGO听or environmental representation听by December 2025.

5. Stakeholder engagement discussion听

The group discussed how to improve transparency and communication with wider stakeholders. Members highlighted the challenge of knowing which documents could be shared externally. It was agreed that a clearer system should be introduced, with a presumption to publish unless explicitly marked otherwise. Suggestions included:听

• adding clear labels to documents听indicating听whether they are shareable.听

• using the Defra FMP blog to summarise meeting outcomes and share updates.听

• circulating blog links and minutes promptly to support stakeholder conversations.听

Discussion听

A member听emphasised the importance of clarity and accessibility in stakeholder communications.听They听noted that while KSIG operates as a technical group, its decisions and discussions have wider implications.听They听advocated for materials to be written in plain language, especially when shared publicly, to ensure stakeholders can understand the rationale behind decisions.听They听also supported the idea of publishing meeting summaries and blog posts, suggesting that this would听continue to听build trust and transparency.听

Another member echoed the concerns and added that听timely听communication is key. They pointed out that stakeholders听can feel left out of the loop, especially when decisions听appear to be听made without sufficient consultation. They supported the idea of using the Defra blog and other channels to keep stakeholders informed and suggested that KSIG should aim for a 鈥渘o surprises鈥� approach.听It was recognised that the right balance听needs to be achieved in sharing useful,听timely听updates whilst preventing听misinterpretation around future management information.听听

Action:听Katie Haldenby to circulate links to recent blog posts and ensure future documents are clearly marked for public sharing.听This will be an ongoing action.听

Action:听Defra to听continue听publishing summaries of KSIG meetings on the FMP blog.听This will be an ongoing action.

6. FMP actions on partnership working听

The group revisited the听FMP measure on partnership working, noting that while KSIG has made progress in fostering collaboration, there is a need to assess how well existing partnerships are functioning and where improvements can be made.听Defra听proposed that听a short-term task and finish group听could be formed听to review听FMP commitments and听current arrangements,听identify听gaps, and suggest ways to strengthen coordination across sectors.听

Discussion听

Members supported the formation of a task and finish group to review partnership working.听Several members volunteered to join the group. The group discussed the scope of the task and finish group, agreeing that it should focus on practical outcomes and avoid duplicating existing work. There was interest in mapping current partnerships,听identifying听areas of overlap or fragmentation, and exploring opportunities for joint initiatives.听The importance of cross-sector collaboration was emphasised, particularly in relation to science, industry, and environmental groups.听The group agreed that the review should be time-bound and outcome-focused.听

Action:听Helen Hunter to听confirm volunteers and听convene听the task and finish group.

7. Input and output controls: Reflections,听updates听and next steps听

Defra听provided an update on the input and output controls workstream, following the recent workshop held in Newcastle.听They听reported that feedback from the workshop was being collated and would inform听discussions at the Scallop Science Group (SSG), which will help inform future work on the input and output controls work stream.听The SSG is scheduled to reconvene in late November.听

Defra听explained that a roadmap was being developed to guide the group鈥檚 work through to formal consultation. This roadmap would outline key milestones, decision points, and areas requiring further evidence or stakeholder input.听听

Discussion听

Defra听clarified that the science group would听operate听differently than during the FMP drafting phase. Rather than听soliciting听broad written feedback, the group would now respond to targeted questions discussed in meetings, with advice captured in formal minutes. This approach aims to streamline input and provide clearer context for decision-making.听

A member听asked who had drafted the questions for the听SSG.听Defra听explained that the questions were derived from discussions at the Newcastle workshop and refined collaboratively听between Defra and听Seafish.听Defra听welcomed听additional听questions from KSIG members and confirmed that they could be听submitted听for consideration听to future meetings.听Defra听also听agreed to share the draft questions for the听initial听SSG听meeting.听

Another member听raised questions about the science group鈥檚 capacity and whether it was funded to undertake substantial research.听Defra听clarified that the group members were contributing their time voluntarily, and any larger research projects would need to be separately commissioned and funded. Defra has听access to听R&D funding听for FMP development, though it is subject to prioritisation.听

Natural England听highlighted the importance of linking the input/output controls work with spatial management discussions and other relevant groups, such as the听low impact听environmental task and finish group and the听FMP听R&D steering group.听They听suggested mapping these connections to ensure coordination and avoid duplication.听

Seafish, which听facilitates听the science group,听emphasised that it听was working closely with Defra to ensure alignment between the听SSG鈥檚听work and KSIG鈥檚 priorities.听They听reiterated the importance of a strategic approach and the need to consider combinations of measures rather than isolated interventions.听

Members听stressed the need to avoid evaluating management measures in isolation听and听supported the idea of a suite of measures. Members emphasised the importance of understanding cumulative impacts.听There was interest in understanding how scientific evidence would be used to inform management decisions.听

Members welcomed the structured approach and emphasised the importance of transparency in the roadmap.听The group discussed the need for clear communication with stakeholders about the rationale and implications of proposed controls.听

Action:听Katie Haldenby to circulate the revised position paper听for stakeholders听with KSIG for comment by听December 2025.听

Action:听Katie Haldenby to circulate roadmap听by December 2025.听

Action:听Members to review and provide feedback on the roadmap听by December 2025.听

Action: Defra to share initial SSG questions听with KSIG by 21 November 2025.

9.听Presentation on听Management Assessment and Prioritisation Tool for Action听(MAPTA)听research project听

The final substantive item on the agenda was a presentation from the MMO Evidence Team on the development of the MAPTA (Management Assessment and Prioritisation Tool for Action) tool. Leonie Robinson introduced the session, explaining that the tool is part of a Defra-funded R&D project aimed at supporting Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) by providing structured, evidence-based decision-making support.听

Overview and Purpose听

Leonie outlined the rationale behind the tool, noting the lack of existing methods to systematically assess trade-offs between management options. The MAPTA tool is designed to help policymakers and stakeholders understand the implications of different interventions, particularly in balancing the听objectives听of the Fisheries Act.听

Management options matrix听

Laura Seddon presented the Management Options Matrix, which compiles evidence on various input and output control measures. The matrix evaluates each听option听against 3 key criteria:听

• effectiveness: how well the measure supports FMP goals such as sustainable stocks, a healthy marine environment, and a profitable fishing sector

• feasibility: including technical, economic, legal, operational, and enforcement considerations听

• acceptability: assessed from the perspectives of different stakeholder groups, including scientists, managers, government, industry, NGOs, and statutory nature conservation bodies听(SNCBs)

Laura invited members to provide feedback on the matrix and suggested that comments could be听submitted听via email or directly annotated on the document. She also asked whether members would be comfortable attributing feedback to their organisations rather than individuals, to听maintain听transparency.听

Trade-Offs Tool听

Tomas Chaigneau from the University of Exeter introduced the trade-offs听component听of MAPTA. He explained that the tool is more of an approach than a rigid framework, designed to听facilitate听participatory workshops where stakeholders can map out the potential winners and losers of proposed management interventions.听

The tool encourages early consideration of trade-offs, aiming to improve transparency, legitimacy, and equity in decision-making. Tomas described how the tool uses qualitative data to assess current and future impacts on both ecological and social systems, and how it can help听identify听unintended consequences and areas of conflict.听

He emphasized that the tool does not generate definitive answers but rather supports informed deliberation. The success of the tool depends heavily on who听participates听in the workshops and the quality of the input data.听

Discussion听

Members welcomed the presentation and expressed appreciation for the work done so far.听听

One member asked whether the tool could assess impacts over different听timeframes, such as short-term versus long-term effects. Tomas confirmed that the tool can accommodate this, although it adds complexity and requires careful facilitation.听

Queries听were raised about whether the matrix should include political feasibility or听adherence with听the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). It was听noted that while political considerations are听important, they听are for听ministers as part of their听decision-making process.听Compliance with the TCA, alongside other commitments, would be assessed by Defra on an ongoing basis as the work develops.听The group emphasised the need for transparency in how decisions are made and the importance of documenting the sources and perspectives included in the tool.听

The group discussed how to ensure diverse stakeholder perspectives are captured, including the potential to听represent听EU interests in the tool.听

Members highlighted the importance of linking the MAPTA work with other FMP-related groups, such as the environmental task and finish group and the听FMP听R&D steering group. Ensuring coordination and feedback loops between these groups was seen as essential.听

Action: MMO Evidence team to circulate听presentation slides and a summary of key questions for feedback听by 21 November 2025.听

Action:听KSIG Members to review the Management Options Matrix and provide feedback to Laura Seddon,听including听Katie Haldenby听in cc by 5 December 2025.听

Action:听Defra and Mark Duffy to map links between the science group, environmental task and finish group, and R&D steering group to ensure coordination.

9.听AOB听

None听received.

10.听Review of actions from current meeting, next KSIG meetings, close meeting听

The next meeting will be held on Microsoft Teams on听Tuesday听10th听February听at 2:30pm until 5:00pm.

Defra asked whether听afternoon times are workable for members. The meeting in the summer is due to be held in听August听and members were asked if this should be moved to earlier or later in the year.听

Action: Defra to send around a survey asking KSIG members for their preferences with meetings.听

Actions听

Action: MMO (Callum Williams) to circulate updated closure guidance and slides by 28 November 2025.听

Action: Mark听Duffy听to reflect the trials in the NEIFCA district in the proposal by December 2025.听

Action: Members to review the听low impact听scallop harvesting T&F group听proposal and provide feedback within 2 weeks by 5 December 2025.听

Action: Defra to circulate updated听KSIG听ToR听to members by 21 November.听

Action: All members to review and approve the updated听ToR听within 2 weeks by 5 December.听听

Action: Defra to propose options for听additional听eNGO听or environmental representation by December 2025.听

Action: Helen Hunter to confirm volunteers and听convene听the task and finish group.听

Action: Katie Haldenby to circulate the revised position paper for stakeholders with KSIG for comment by December 2025.听

Action: Katie Haldenby to circulate roadmap by December 2025.听

Action: Members to review and provide feedback on the roadmap by December 2025.听

Action: MMO Evidence team to circulate presentation slides and a summary of key questions for feedback by 21 November 2025.听

Action: KSIG Members to review the Management Options Matrix and provide feedback to Laura Seddon, including Katie Haldenby in cc by 5 December 2025.