Brill United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Northeast

Brill

Scophthalmus rhombus

©Scandinavian Fishing Yearbook

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern

Ireland: Northeast Atlantic Bottom trawls, Beam trawls, Fixed gillnets (on stakes) August 5, 2019 Safina Center Consulting Researcher

Disclaimer Seafood Watch and The Safina Center strive to ensure that all our Seafood Reports and recommendations contained therein are accurate and reflect the most up-to-date evidence available at the time of publication. All our reports are peer-reviewed for accuracy and completeness by external scientists with expertise in ecology, fisheries science or aquaculture.Scientific review, however, does not constitute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch program or of The Safina Center or their recommendations on the part of the reviewing scientists.Seafood Watch and The Safina Center are solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report. We always welcome additional or updated data that can be used for the next revision. Seafood Watch and Seafood Reports are made possible through a grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and other funders.

Seafood Watch Standard used in this assessment: Standard for Fisheries vF3 Table of Contents

About...... The...... Safina...... Center...... 3......

About...... Seafood...... Watch ...... 4......

Guiding...... Principles ...... 5......

Summary...... 6......

Final...... Seafood...... Recommendations ...... 7......

Introduction...... 8......

Assessment...... 10......

Criterion...... 1: . . . Impacts...... on . . . the. . . . . Species...... Under...... Assessment...... 10 ......

Risk...... (1 . . . =. . . low. . . . . risk,...... 2 . . =. . . .medium ...... risk, ...... 3. . .= . . .high ...... risk)...... 12......

Productivity...... Attribute...... 12......

Relevant...... Information ...... 12......

Risk...... (1 . . . =. . . low. . . . . risk,...... 2 . . =. . . .medium ...... risk, ...... 3. . .= . . .high ...... risk)...... 12......

Susceptibility...... Attribute...... 12......

Relevant...... Information ...... 12......

Criterion...... 2: . . . Impacts...... on . . . Other...... Species...... 15 ......

Criterion...... 3: . . . Management...... Effectiveness ...... 25 ......

Criterion...... 4: . . . Impacts...... on . . . the. . . . . Habitat...... and . . . . . Ecosystem...... 34 ......

Acknowledgements...... 38 ......

References...... 39 ......

Appendix...... A: . . . Extra...... By. . . . Catch...... Species...... 49 ......

Risk...... (1 . . . =. . . low. . . . . risk,...... 2 . . =. . . .medium ...... risk, ...... 3. . .= . . .high ...... risk)...... 64......

Productivity...... attribute...... 64......

Relevant...... Information ...... 64......

Risk...... (1 . . . =. . . low. . . . . risk,...... 2 . . =. . . .medium ...... risk, ...... 3. . .= . . .high ...... risk)...... 65......

Susceptibility...... Attribute...... 65......

Relevant...... Information ...... 65......

2 About The Safina Center

The Safina Center (formerly Blue Ocean Institute) translates scientific information into language people can understand and serves as a unique voice of hope, guidance, and encouragement. The Safina Center (TSC) works through science, art, and literature to inspire solutions and a deeper connection with nature, especially the sea. Our mission is to inspire more people to actively engage as well-informed and highly motivated constituents for conservation.

Led by conservation pioneer and MacArthur fellow, Dr. Carl Safina, we show how nature, community, the economy and prospects for peace are all intertwined. Through Safina’s books, essays, public speaking, PBS television series, our Fellows program and Sustainable Seafood program, we seek to inspire people to make better choices.

The Safina Center was founded in 2003 by Dr. Carl Safina and was built on three decades of research, writing and policy work by Dr. Safina.

The Safina Center’s Sustainable Seafood Program The Center’s founders created the first seafood guide in 1998. Our online seafood guide now encompasses over 160-wild-caught species. All peer-reviewed seafood reports are transparent, authoritative, easy to understand and use. Seafood ratings and full reports are available on our website under Seafood choices. tsc’s sustainable seafood program helps consumers, retailers, chefs and health professionals discover the connection between human health, a healthy ocean, fishing and sustainable seafood.

Our online guide to sustainable seafood is based on scientific ratings for more than 160 wild-caught seafood species and provides simple guidelines. Through our expanded partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, our guide now includes seafood ratings from both The Safina Center and the Seafood Watch® program. We partner with Whole Foods Market (WFM) to help educate their seafood suppliers and staff, and provide our scientific seafood ratings for WFM stores in the US and UK. Through our partnership with Chefs Collaborative, we created Green Chefs/Blue Ocean, a free, interactive, online sustainable seafood course for chefs and culinary professionals. Our website features tutorials, videos, blogs, links and discussions of the key issues such as mercury in seafood, bycatch, overfishing, etc.

Check out our Fellows Program, learn more about our Sustainable Seafood Program and Carl Safina’s current work at www.safinacenter.org .

The Safina Center is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization based in the School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University, Long Island, NY. www.safinacenter.org [email protected] | 631.632.3763

3 About Seafood Watch

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program evaluates the ecological sustainability of wild-caught and farmed seafood commonly found in the United States marketplace. Seafood Watch defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether wild-caught or farmed, which can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Seafood Watch makes its science-based recommendations available to the public in the form of regional pocket guides that can be downloaded from www.seafoodwatch.org. The program’s goals are to raise awareness of important ocean conservation issues and empower seafood consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans.

Each sustainability recommendation on the regional pocket guides is supported by a Seafood Watch Assessment. Each assessment synthesizes and analyzes the most current ecological, fisheries and ecosystem science on a species, then evaluates this information against the program’s conservation ethic to arrive at a recommendation of “Best Choices,” “Good Alternatives” or “Avoid.” This ethic is operationalized in the Seafood Watch standards, available on our website here. In producing the assessments, Seafood Watch seeks out research published in academic, peer-reviewed journals whenever possible. Other sources of information include government technical publications, fishery management plans and supporting documents, and other scientific reviews of ecological sustainability. Seafood Watch Research Analysts also communicate regularly with ecologists, fisheries and aquaculture scientists, and members of industry and conservation organizations when evaluating fisheries and aquaculture practices. Capture fisheries and aquaculture practices are highly dynamic; as the scientific information on each species changes, Seafood Watch’s sustainability recommendations and the underlying assessments will be updated to reflect these changes.

Parties interested in capture fisheries, aquaculture practices and the sustainability of ocean ecosystems are welcome to use Seafood Watch assessments in any way they find useful.

4 Guiding Principles

The Safina Center and Seafood Watch define sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether fished1 or farmed, that can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems.

Based on this principle, Seafood Watch and the Safina Center have developed four sustainability criteria for evaluating wild-catch fisheries for consumers and businesses. These criteria are:

How does fishing affect the species under assessment? How does the fishing affect other, target and non-target species? How effective is the fishery’s management? How does the fishing affect habitats and the stability of the ecosystem?

Each criterion includes:

Factors to evaluate and score Guidelines for integrating these factors to produce a numerical score and rating

Once a rating has been assigned to each criterion, we develop an overall recommendation. Criteria ratings and the overall recommendation are color-coded to correspond to the categories on the Seafood Watch pocket guide and the Safina Center’s online guide:

Best Choice/Green: Are well managed and caught in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife.

Good Alternative/Yellow: Buy, but be aware there are concerns with how they’re caught.

Avoid/Red Take a pass on these for now. These items are overfished or caught in ways that harm other marine life or the environment.

1 “Fish” is used throughout this document to refer to finfish, shellfish and other invertebrates

5 Summary

This report covers brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) caught by beam trawl, bottom trawl, and fixed nets (combined gillnets and trammel nets) with UK vessels in the western English Channel and Celtic Sea (ICES regions 27.7e– h). Brill is caught as bycatch in other fisheries targeting plaice and sole and other demersal fish. Most of the brill landed into the UK are from inshore waters.

Brill in the Northeast Atlantic is thought to consist of a single stock, but further research is needed to determine whether there are discrete subpopulations. Abundance information is limited to brill, but data-limited assessment methods suggest that the stock is healthy.

European demersal fisheries are characterized by multi-gears, multi-species, and multi-fleet fisheries that are technically and biologically complex. Bycatch is high in fisheries landing brill, though many species are retained. In this report, several species of IUCN "Threatened" and "Endangered" species are caught in the gears. Additionally, marine mammal bycatch is a concern in bottom gillnet fisheries, and known interactions occur with harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and grey seals. Atlantic cod is caught by all three gears; stocks of Atlantic cod are depleted and continue to experience overfishing.

Management effectiveness is scored according to the management of main, retained species (i.e., those that account for >5% of the catch and/or are species of concern). Although management measures, such as annual catch limits, are in place for several main species, management is considered ineffective in trawl fisheries because overfishing continues to occur in many stocks. Fewer main species in gillnet fisheries are experiencing overfishing and management is considered "moderately effective."

All fisheries have an overall moderate impact on ocean habitats and ecosystems, but the bottom trawl fisheries cause more damage to seafloor habitats than the gillnet fisheries.

UK gillnet fisheries in the western English Channel and Celtic Seas are rated "yellow" or "good alternative," while demersal and beam trawl fisheries are rated "red" or "avoid."

6 Final Seafood Recommendations

CRITERION CRITERION CRITERION 1: IMPACTS 2: IMPACTS CRITERION 3: 4: HABITAT ON THE ON OTHER MANAGEMENT AND OVERALL SPECIES/FISHERY SPECIES SPECIES EFFECTIVENESS ECOSYSTEM RECOMMENDATION

Brill Green Red (1.000) Red (1.000) Yellow Avoid (1.688) United Kingdom of Great (3.318) (2.449) Britain and Northern Ireland (the) Northeast Atlantic, Bottom trawls

Brill Green Red (1.000) Red (1.000) Yellow Avoid (1.688) United Kingdom of Great (3.318) (2.449) Britain and Northern Ireland (the) Northeast Atlantic, Beam trawls

Brill Green Red (1.000) Yellow (3.000) Yellow Good Alternative United Kingdom of Great (3.318) (3.000) (2.337) Britain and Northern Ireland (the) Northeast Atlantic, Combined gillnets - trammel nets

Scoring Guide Scores range from zero to five where zero indicates very poor performance and five indicates the fishing operations have no significant impact.

Final Score = geometric mean of the four Scores (Criterion 1, Criterion 2, Criterion 3, Criterion 4).

Best Choice/Green = Final Score >3.2, and either Criterion 1 or Criterion 3 (or both) is Green, and no Red Criteria, and no Critical scores Good Alternative/Yellow = Final score >2.2-3.2, and neither Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) nor Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) are Very High Concern2, and no more than one Red Criterion, and no Critical scores Avoid/Red = Final Score ≤2.2, or either Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High Concern or two or more Red Criteria, or one or more Critical scores.

2 Because effective management is an essential component of sustainable fisheries, Seafood Watch issues an Avoid recommendation for any fishery scored as a Very High Concern for either factor under Management (Criterion 3). 7 Introduction

Scope of the analysis and ensuing recommendation This report covers brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) caught by beam trawl, bottom trawl, and fixed nets (combined gillnets and trammel nets) with UK vessels in the western English Channel and Celtic Sea (ICES regions 27.7e– h). Brill is caught as bycatch in other fisheries targeting plaice and sole and other demersal fish. Around 75% of brill landed into the UK are from inshore waters, 0 to 6 nautical miles from shore (Nimmo and Southall 2012). Beam-trawling, which is used to land plaice and sole, accounts for 10% of the total fishing effort in the Celtic Sea (Cefas 2014). Brill are rarely discarded because of their high market prices (Gillis et al. 2008). European demersal fisheries are characterized by multi-gears, multi-species, and multi-fleet fisheries that are technically and biologically complex (European Commission 2016). Brill are also landed with fixed nets and demersal trawls, though in lesser quantities.

Species Overview Brill is a benthic flatfish found in the east Atlantic from Morocco to Iceland, and also occurs in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. This species mainly inhabits sandy bottom areas close inshore in depths ranging from 5 to 80 meters (m) (Kerby et al. 2013) (Turan et al. 2016). The Atlantic and Mediterranean populations are not thought to be genetically differentiated (van der Hammen et al. 2013), and populations in the English Channel (division 27.7 d, e), the North Sea (subarea 27.4), Skagerrak, and Kattegat (division 3.a) are managed as a single stock (ICES WGNSSK Report 2017). Little information is available on brill in the Celtic Sea Ecoregion.

Brill can reach lengths of 75 cm, live up to 10 years, and reach weights of 2.5 kg. Males mature at a younger age and smaller size than females. This species reaches commercially valuable sizes relatively quickly.

The multispecies fishery that lands brill is managed by several agencies. All countries within the European Union are subject to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in community waters, which helps guide sustainable fishing guidelines and resolve disputes for shared waters (European Commission 2009), but the future of this framework is in question with the UK leaving the EU (Phillipson and Symes 2018). The legally-binding CFP calls for rebuilding of all commercial fish stocks to levels capable of producing maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by 2020 (Froese et al. 2018). The CFP sets rules for fishing (TACs, licenses, minimum fish and mesh sizes, and closed areas or seasons) while the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) coordinates research and provides catch advice to the EC and member states (European Commission 2018) (European Commission 1998) (CIFCA 2018b). The impacts of fishing at the ecosystem scale in the Celtic Sea are likely to result in the failure to meet CFP objectives by 2020 (Moullec et al. 2017). At the national level, the UK's Marine Management Organization (MMO) issues fishing licenses, allocates quotas, and monitors UK fishing activity. Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) establish local fishing bylaws and manage fisheries out to 12 nautical miles.

Production Statistics UK vessels landed a total of 400 MT of brill into the UK in 2016, and foreign vessels landed 100 MT into the UK in the same year (MMO 2017). Landings within the regions considered in this report (ICES 27.7e–h) totalled: 227.5 MT (Western English Channel),19.1 MT (Bristol Channel), and 16.7 MT (the Celtic Sea) in 2016. From 2013 to 2017, UK beam trawls in these regions have landed an average of 176.1 MT/year of brill, with demersal trawls and fixed net fisheries landing an average of 49.3 MT and 21.6 MT over the same period (MMO 2017a).

Importance to the US/North American market. US import statistics are not classified to the species level for many flatfish, so exact importance of brill to US

8 markets is unknown. The US imported a grand total of 2,797 MT of unspecified flatfish worth over $23.4 million in 2017. Imports of unspecified flatfish from European union countries in 2017 totaled 398.4 MT and was valued at over $2.3 million (NMFS 2018). The only flatfish imports from the UK in 2017 were sole (Solea spp.) and Atlantic halibut.

Common and market names. Brill is also known as flounder and sometimes confused with turbot.

Primary product forms Brill is typically sold whole or in fillets, fresh or frozen.

9 Assessment

This section assesses the sustainability of the fishery(s) relative to the Seafood Watch Standard for Fisheries, available at www.seafoodwatch.org. The specific standard used is referenced on the title page of all Seafood Watch assessments.

Criterion 1: Impacts on the Species Under Assessment

This criterion evaluates the impact of fishing mortality on the species, given its current abundance. When abundance is unknown, abundance is scored based on the species’ inherent vulnerability, which is calculated using a Productivity-Susceptibility Analysis. The final Criterion 1 score is determined by taking the geometric mean of the abundance and fishing mortality scores. The Criterion 1 rating is determined as follows:

Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and ≤3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score ≤2.2=Red or High Concern

Rating is Critical if Factor 1.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Critical

Criterion 1 Summary BRILL Region | Method Abundance Fishing Mortality Score United Kingdom of Great 3.67: Low Concern 3.00: Moderate Concern Green (3.318) Britain and Northern Ireland (the)/Northeast Atlantic | Bottom trawls United Kingdom of Great 3.67: Low Concern 3.00: Moderate Concern Green (3.318) Britain and Northern Ireland (the)/Northeast Atlantic | Beam trawls United Kingdom of Great 3.67: Low Concern 3.00: Moderate Concern Green (3.318) Britain and Northern Ireland (the)/Northeast Atlantic | Combined gillnets - trammel nets

Criterion 1 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor 1.1 - Abundance Goal: Stock abundance and size structure of native species is maintained at a level that does not impair recruitment or productivity.

5 (Very Low Concern) — Strong evidence exists that the population is above an appropriate target abundance level (given the species’ ecological role), or near virgin biomass. 3.67 (Low Concern) — Population may be below target abundance level, but is at least 75% of the target

10 level, OR data-limited assessments suggest population is healthy and species is not highly vulnerable. 2.33 (Moderate Concern) — Population is not overfished but may be below 75% of the target abundance level, OR abundance is unknown and the species is not highly vulnerable. 1 (High Concern) — Population is considered overfished/depleted, a species of concern, threatened or endangered, OR abundance is unknown and species is highly vulnerable.

Factor 1.2 - Fishing Mortality Goal: Fishing mortality is appropriate for current state of the stock.

5 (Low Concern) — Probable (>50%) that fishing mortality from all sources is at or below a sustainable level, given the species ecological role, OR fishery does not target species and fishing mortality is low enough to not adversely affect its population. 3 (Moderate Concern) — Fishing mortality is fluctuating around sustainable levels, OR fishing mortality relative to a sustainable level is uncertain. 1 (High Concern) — Probable that fishing mortality from all source is above a sustainable level.

BRILL Factor 1.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE)/NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE)/NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE)/NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Low Concern Brill in the Northeast Atlantic is thought to consist of a single stock, but further research is needed to determine whether there are discrete subpopulations (ICES 2017a). There is limited information on abundance of brill for areas covered in this report and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not assessed brill. Brill abundance in the Greater North Sea Ecoregion—which includes the English Channel—is estimated based on a biomass index from Dutch beam-trawls, and has gradually increased since 1995 (ICES 2017b). Standardized Commercial Landings Per Unit of Effort (LPUE) data and length-based indicators suggest stable abundance in the North Sea Ecoregion (ICES 2017a). A Surplus Production in Continuous Time (SPiCT) model indicates that brill in the North Sea Ecoregion is above MSY proxies (B/BMSY = 0.5) for stock size (ICES 2017b). Abundance estimates for brill in the Celtic Sea (divisions 27.7 g,h) and Bristol Channel (division 27.7 f) are not known, but a productivity-susceptibility analysis (see below) scores brill as having medium vulnerability to fishing. Because there are two data-limited assessment methods indicating that brill abundance is healthy in the North Sea Ecoregion, and brill is not highly vulnerable, we award a score of "low" concern. Justification:

11 Risk (1 = low risk, 2 =

medium risk, 3 = high Productivity Attribute Relevant Information risk)

Average age at maturity 1.6 years (van der Hammen et al. 2013) 1 Average maximum age 6 years (Arneri et al. 2001) 1 750,440 eggs/kg/year (Hechero-Cruzado Fecundity 1 et al. 2007) Average maximum size (fish 75 cm (Nielsen 1986) 1 only) Average size at maturity Females 31 cm, males 18 cm (van der 1 (fish only) Hammen et al. 2013) Trophic level 4.4 (FishBase 2018) 3 Broadcast spawner (van der Hammen et Reproductive strategy 1 al. 2013) Known fishing impacts on habitat Habitat quality (Husebo et al. 2002), other factors - unknown Productivity score = 1.38

Risk (1 = low risk, 2 =

Susceptibility Attribute Relevant Information medium risk, 3 = high

risk) Areal overlap (considers all Fished in nearly all of species' range 3 fisheries) Vertical overlap (considers all Fished in nearly all of the vertical 3 fisheries) distribution by various fisheries Selectivity of fishery Is incidentally encountered 2 Post-capture mortality (specific to fishery under Retained 3 assessment) Susceptibility score = 2.325 PSA Vulnerability = 2.66 (medium)

12 Figure 1 Relative biomass for brill in the Greater North Sea Ecoregion (includes western English Channel) from SPiCT analysis. From ICES 2017b

Factor 1.2 - Fishing Mortality

13 Justification:

Figure 2 Brill fishing mortality relative to FMSY in the North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, and English Channel (ICES 2017b).

14 Criterion 2: Impacts on Other Species

All main retained and bycatch species in the fishery are evaluated under Criterion 2. Seafood Watch defines bycatch as all fisheries-related mortality or injury to species other than the retained catch. Examples include discards, endangered or threatened species catch, and ghost fishing. Species are evaluated using the same guidelines as in Criterion 1. When information on other species caught in the fishery is unavailable, the fishery’s potential impacts on other species is scored according to the Unknown Bycatch Matrices, which are based on a synthesis of peer-reviewed literature and expert opinion on the bycatch impacts of each gear type. The fishery is also scored for the amount of non-retained catch (discards) and bait use relative to the retained catch. To determine the final Criterion 2 score, the score for the lowest scoring retained/bycatch species is multiplied by the discard/bait score. The Criterion 2 rating is determined as follows:

Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and ≤=3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score ≤=2.2=Red or High Concern

Rating is Critical if Factor 2.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Crtitical

Guiding Principles Ensure all affected stocks are healthy and abundant. Fish all affected stocks at sustainable level. Minimize bycatch.

Criterion 2 Summary Only the lowest scoring main species is/are listed in the table and text in this Criterion 2 section; a full list and assessment of the main species can be found in Appendix A.

BRILL - UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE)/NORTHEAST ATLANTIC - BEAM TRAWLS Subscore: 1.000 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.000 Species Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore European plaice 1.00:High Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.000) Atlantic cod 1.00:High Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.000) Megrim 2.33:Moderate Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.526) Rays (unspecified) 1.00:High Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Red (1.732) Common cuttlefish 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) Blackbellied anglerfish 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) European dover sole 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) Bib Pouting 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) Anglerfish 3.67:Low Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Green (3.318)

15 BRILL - UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE)/NORTHEAST ATLANTIC - BOTTOM TRAWLS Subscore: 1.000 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.000 Species Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Atlantic cod 1.00:High Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.000) Megrim 2.33:Moderate Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.526) European whiting 2.33:Moderate Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.526) Haddock 2.33:Moderate Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.526) Rays (unspecified) 1.00:High Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Red (1.732) Lesser spotted dogfish 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) Common cuttlefish 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) Lemon sole 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) Blackbellied anglerfish 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) Anglerfish 3.67:Low Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Green (3.318)

BRILL - UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE)/NORTHEAST ATLANTIC - COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Subscore: 1.000 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.000 Species Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Atlantic cod 1.00:High Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.000) Gray seal 2.33:Moderate Concern 1.00:High Concern Red (1.526) Short-beaked common 1.00:High Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Red (1.732) dolphin European pollock 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) Blackbellied anglerfish 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) Harbor porpoise 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) Turbot 2.33:Moderate Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Yellow (2.644) Anglerfish 3.67:Low Concern 3.00:Moderate Concern Green (3.318) Ling 2.33:Moderate Concern 5.00:Low Concern Green (3.413) European hake 3.67:Low Concern 5.00:Low Concern Green (4.284)

European demersal fisheries are characterized multi-gears, multi-species and multi-fleet fisheries that are technically and biologically complex (European Commission 2016). Beam-trawling, which is primarily used to land plaice and sole, accounts for 10% of the total fishing effort in the Celtic Sea (Cefas 2014). Brill are also landed with fixed nets and demersal trawls, though in lesser quantities. We used catch data specific to ICES divisions 7.e–h from the UK's Marine Management Organisation to determine the catch composition for UK beam

16 trawlers, drift and fixed nets, and demersal trawls (MMO 2017a) and compared it to analyses by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas 2014) and Food Certification International Ltd. (Nimmo and Southall 2012) to determine the main species for this report.

Several species of IUCN "Threatened" and "Endangered" species are caught in the gears in this report (ICES 2016d). Additionally, marine mammal bycatch is a concern in bottom gillnet fisheries, and known interactions occur with harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) (ICES 2016d) (Northridge et al. 2017). UK gillnets are estimated to have killed an average of 281 common dolphins and between 400 to 600 grey seals between 2013 and 2016 (Northridge et al. 2017).

The cod stock in divisions 7.e–k is overfished and experiencing overfishing (ICES 2018j). Between 2013 and 2017, UK beam, demersal trawls, and gillnets landed an annual average of 94.57 MT, 102.64 MT, and 48.04 MT of cod respectively in divisions 7.e–h (MMO 2017a); average total cod landings in the stock (divisions 7.e–k) was an estimated 3,966 MT per year (ICES 2018j). Cod is included as a main species because cod is overfished and experiencing overfishing in this region and the catch from these UK fisheries is likely to contribute to conservation concern.

Atlantic cod is the limiting factor for all three gears because the stock is overfished and experiencing overfishing. Some European plaice stocks are also overfished and experiencing overfishing. Megrim, haddock, and European whiting also continue to experience overfishing.

Criterion 2 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor 2.1 - Abundance (same as Factor 1.1 above)

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality (same as Factor 1.2 above)

EUROPEAN PLAICE Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS High Concern European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) have been assessed by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a species of "Least Concern" on both the global and regional (Europe) level (Freyhof 2014). Although the species was overfished in the 1970s and 1980s, fishing pressure was reduced and the spawning stock abundance has since recovered and spawning stock biomass (SSB) increased in most stocks over the last five to ten years (Freyhof 2015). This species is managed by several stocks, including three within the area of this report. Spawning-stock biomass (SSB) has increased greatly since 2008 in the western English Channel stock (division 7.e) (ICES 2018c), has been increasing since 2007 in the Bristol Channel and Celtic Sea (divisions 7.f,g) (ICES 2018d), and has been below the biomass limit reference point since 2002 in Celtic Sea South (divisions 7.h–k) (ICES 2018e).

Abundance is currently well above possible reference points in two of the management areas, but below limit

17 biomass in another (i.e., overfished in divisions 7.h–k). Using information aggregated across these three management units, we score abundance as "high" concern. Justification:

Figure 3 European plaice spawning-stock biomass in the western English Channel - division 7.e (ICES 2018c).

Figure 4 European plaice spawning-stock biomass in the Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea - division 7.f and 7.g (ICES 2018d).

Figure 5 European plaice spawning-stock biomass in the Celtic Sea South, southwest of Ireland - division 7.h-k (ICES 2018e).

18 Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS High Concern

Fishing mortality for plaice in the western English Channel stock (division 7.e) was above an FMSY proxy in 2017, but below the limit reference point (ICES 2018c). Mortality was below FMSY proxy in the Bristol Channel and Celtic Sea (divisions 7.f,g) in 2017 (ICES 2018d). Finally, plaice in the Celtic Sea South (divisions 7.h–k) experienced overfishing again in 2017 and has been above the limit reference point since at least 1993 (ICES 2018e). Two of the stocks in the area of this report experienced overfishing in 2017, and, using information aggregated across these three management units, we award a score of "high" concern. Justification:

Figure 6 European plaice fishing mortality in the western English Channel - division 7.e (ICES 2018c).

Figure 7 European plaice fishing mortality in the Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea - division 7.f and 7.g (ICES 2018d).

Figure 8 European plaice fishing mortality in the Celtic Sea South, southwest of Ireland - division 7.h-k (ICES 2018e).

19 Factor 2.3 - Modifying Factor: Discards and Bait Use Goal: Fishery optimizes the utilization of marine and freshwater resources by minimizing post-harvest loss. For fisheries that use bait, bait is used efficiently.

Scoring Guidelines: The discard rate is the sum of all dead discards (i.e. non-retained catch) plus bait use divided by the total retained catch.

RATIO OF BAIT + DISCARDS/LANDINGS FACTOR 2.3 SCORE <100% 1 >=100 0.75

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS < 100% Beam and bottom trawls have the highest discard rates of any gear in the Celtic Sea ecoregion (Rihan 2018). Discard ratios in bottom trawls depend on mesh size. Smaller meshes (80 to 90 mm) trawls in the Celtic and Irish seas have been estimated to have discard rates around 50%, whereas larger mesh single and pair bottom trawlers have discard rates of 20 to 40% and 60% respectively (EU 2011). Discard rates for the beam trawl fishery targeting sole and plaice in the greater Celtic Sea ecoregion have been estimated at 42 to 67% of total catch (EU 2011). Discard data from 2004 to 2016 shows that discards remained high after the landings obligation was implemented. During this time period, discard rates of main species in the Celtic Sea ranged from 7 to 55% (large mesh bottom trawls), 13 to 59% (small mesh bottom trawls, and 29 to 81% (beam trawls) (Rihan 2018). The discard ratio for bottom and beam trawls remains high, but is less than 100%. Justification:

20 Figure 9 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

Plaice, 7.e, beam trawl, 23%, 2017 (ICES 2018c) Plaice, 7.f and 7.g, beam trawl 166%, 2017 (ICES 2018d) Black-bellied anglerfish, all gears, 7.b–k, 8.a–b, and 8.d, 15%, 2015 to 2017 (ICES 2018a) White anglerfish, all gears, 7.a–k, 9.5%, 2015-2017 (ICES 2018b) Sole, 7e, beam trawl 0%, 2017 (ICES 2017e) Sole, 7.f and 7.g, beam trawl, 6.4%, 2017 (ICES 2017c) Sole, 7.h–k, trawl, 1.7%, 2017 (ICES 2017d) Lesser spotted dogfish, 6, 7a–c, and 7.e–j, demersal trawl, not quantified and known to be high, (ICES 2017h) Megrim, trawl, 7.b–k, 8.a–b, and 8.d, 12.5%, 2015 to 2017 (ICES 2018g) Whiting, 7.b–c and 7.e–k, demersal trawl, 30.5%, 2017 Haddock, 7.b–k, demersal trawl, 99.7%, 2017 (ICES 2018i) Norway lobster, 7.a, g, j, 7.g and 7.h, demersal trawl, 16 to 35%, 2014 to 2016

ATLANTIC COD Factor 2.1 - Abundance

21 Figure 10 Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) recruitment and biomass in the western English Channel and southern Celtic Seas (divisions 7.e-k). From ICES 2018j

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS High Concern Atlantic cod catch totaled 2,354 MT in 2017 for the western English Channel and southern Celtic Seas stock (divisions 7.e–k), and fishing mortality was above maximum sustainable yield (FMSY ) and near the limit reference point (ICES 2018j). Of the 2,354 MT of cod landed in this stock, 81.6% were from demersal trawls, 6.8% from beam trawls, and 5.6% from gillnets; the UK fleet was responsible for approximately 8% of the cod landings in 2017 (ICES 2018j). Landings of cod would need to be zero in 2019 in order for the stock to recover to the limit reference point for spawning-stock biomass (Blim ) by 2020. We award a score of "high" concern because cod currently experiences overfishing. Justification:

22 Figure 11 Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) fishing mortality in the western English Channel and southern Celtic Seas (ICES divisions 7.e-k). From ICES 2018j.

Factor 2.3 - Modifying Factor: Discards and Bait Use Goal: Fishery optimizes the utilization of marine and freshwater resources by minimizing post-harvest loss. For fisheries that use bait, bait is used efficiently.

Scoring Guidelines: The discard rate is the sum of all dead discards (i.e. non-retained catch) plus bait use divided by the total retained catch.

RATIO OF BAIT + DISCARDS/LANDINGS FACTOR 2.3 SCORE <100% 1 >=100 0.75

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS < 100% Beam and bottom trawls have the highest discard rates of any gear in the Celtic Sea ecoregion (Rihan 2018). Discard ratios in bottom trawls depend on mesh size. Smaller meshes (80 to 90 mm) trawls in the Celtic and Irish seas have been estimated to have discard rates around 50%, whereas larger mesh single and pair bottom trawlers have discard rates of 20 to 40% and 60% respectively (EU 2011). Discard rates for the beam trawl fishery targeting sole and plaice in the greater Celtic Sea ecoregion have been estimated at 42 to 67% of total catch (EU 2011). Discard data from 2004 to 2016 shows that discards remained high after the landings obligation was implemented. During this time period, discard rates of main species in the Celtic Sea ranged from 7 to 55% (large mesh bottom trawls), 13 to 59% (small mesh bottom trawls, and 29 to 81% (beam trawls) (Rihan 2018). The discard ratio for bottom and beam trawls remains high, but is less than 100%. Justification:

23 Figure 12 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS < 100% Discard rates in gillnets vary widely depending on species, location, net size, and other factors (Bell and Lyle 2016). A study of hake gillnets in Portugal found average discard rates of 42% (Santos et al. 2002), while discard rates in UK fixed net fisheries averaged 36% by number and 22% by weight (Enever et al. 2007). Discard rates relative to landings for this fishery are likely to be <100%.

24 Criterion 3: Management Effectiveness

Five factors are evaluated in Criterion 3: Management Strategy and Implementation, Bycatch Strategy, Scientific Research/Monitoring, Enforcement of Regulations, and Inclusion of Stakeholders. Each is scored as either ‘highly effective’, ‘moderately effective’, ‘ineffective,’ or ‘critical’. The final Criterion 3 score is determined as follows:

5 (Very Low Concern) — Meets the standards of ‘highly effective’ for all five factors considered. 4 (Low Concern) — Meets the standards of ‘highly effective’ for ‘management strategy and implementation‘ and at least ‘moderately effective’ for all other factors. 3 (Moderate Concern) — Meets the standards for at least ‘moderately effective’ for all five factors. 2 (High Concern) — At a minimum, meets standards for ‘moderately effective’ for Management Strategy and Implementation and Bycatch Strategy, but at least one other factor is rated ‘ineffective.’ 1 (Very High Concern) — Management Strategy and Implementation and/or Bycatch Management are ‘ineffective.’ 0 (Critical) — Management Strategy and Implementation is ‘critical’.

The Criterion 3 rating is determined as follows:

Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and ≤3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score ≤2.2 = Red or High Concern

Rating is Critical if Management Strategy and Implementation is Critical.

GUIDING PRINCIPLE The fishery is managed to sustain the long-term productivity of all impacted species.

Criterion 3 Summary

Research Management Bycatch and Stakeholder Fishery Strategy Strategy Monitoring Enforcement Inclusion Score Fishery 1: United Kingdom of Ineffective Moderately NA NA NA Red Great Britain and Northern Effective (1.000) Ireland (the) / Northeast Atlantic | Beam trawls Fishery 2: United Kingdom of Ineffective Moderately NA NA NA Red Great Britain and Northern Effective (1.000) Ireland (the) / Northeast Atlantic | Bottom trawls Fishery 3: United Kingdom of Moderately Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Yellow Great Britain and Northern Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective (3.000) Ireland (the) / Northeast Atlantic | Combined gillnets - trammel nets

25 There are no explicit management objectives or management plans for brill, but general European Commission (EC) regulations affect species like brill {ICES 2017a}. In the UK, multispecies fisheries are managed internationally (European Union), nationally (UK), and regionally (Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities). Under the EC's Landing Obligation (Regulation 1380/2013), vessels are prohibited from discarding certain species (those subject to total allowable catch, TACs) and must stop fishing once a quota for one species is exhausted {Rihan 2018}. We score management effectiveness (C3.1) based only on main, retained species (i.e., those that account for >5% of the catch and/or are species of concern). Although brill is the species under assessment, brill accounts for <5% of the total catch and is not considered in scoring management effectiveness.

Species and stocks that lack adequate information for stock assessments are managed under the Precautionary Approach, or "an approach according to which the absence of adequate scientific information should not justify postponing or failing to take management measures to conserve target species, associated or dependent species and non-target species and their environment" {EU 2013}.

C3.1 is scored differently for the trawl and gillnet fisheries because main species composition differs. Management of trawl fisheries scores "ineffective" because overfishing continues to occur for more than 30% of the main species caught in these fisheries. Management of the gillnet fisheries scores “moderately effective” because overfishing is occurring for less than 30% of the main species caught in this fishery.

Criterion 3 Assessment Factor 3.1 - Management Strategy and Implementation Considerations: What type of management measures are in place? Are there appropriate management goals, and is there evidence that management goals are being met? Do manages follow scientific advice? To achieve a highly effective rating, there must be appropriately defined management goals, precautionary policies that are based on scientific advice, and evidence that the measures in place have been successful at maintaining/rebuilding species.

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS Ineffective Brill is primarily landed in fisheries targeting plaice and sole and typically only accounts for <2% of the total catch (MMO 2017)(Nimmo and Southall 2012). Although brill-specific management is described in the justification section below, Factor 3.1 is scored on the management of the main species in this multispecies fishery. The main targeted or retained species (5% or more of the catch by weight, and retained species of concern) in the beam trawl and demersal trawl fisheries are listed in the table below and discussed in detail in Criterion 2. Control of fishing mortality varies by species and is described in the table. The EU installed a landings obligation ("discard ban") in 2013 for all species managed by total allowable catch (TAC), but some exemptions exist. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and/or CIFCA have established minimum sizes for several species (MMO 2017b) (CIFCA 2018a).

Both species of anglerfish are managed in a combined TAC, which may lead to overexploitation of either species (ICES 2015), and achieving stock-specific MSYs in mixed species fisheries may not be possible (ICES 2017b). Two species of megrim (megrim and four-spot megrim) are also managed under a single TAC, though megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) makes up the majority of the megrim species catch in the UK (ICES 2018g). Mixed fisheries in the Celtic Sea have no defined management objectives, which prohibits ICES from making recommendations specific to these fisheries (ICES 2016a). A multi-annual plan (MAP) is currently

26 being developed to account for the consequences of mixed-species fisheries on single-species stock advice (ICES 2017b). Six out of the eight main species in the UK beam trawl fishery have target and/or limit reference points defined, and are regularly assessed; six out of the eight main species in the bottom trawl fishery also have reference points and regular assessments (see Criterion 2 for details). Management effectiveness for pouting, lemon sole, cuttlefish, and retained ray species is unknown, but it's unlikely that the fishery is having serious negative impacts on those populations. However, several stocks are experiencing overfishing in the beam trawl fishery (megrim, plaice, dover sole, and cod) and bottom trawl (megrim, whiting, haddock and cod); two stocks are overfished (plaice and cod), suggesting management may not be effective for at least 30% of the main retained species. Therefore, we have awarded a score of "ineffective." Justification: Main species determined by Marine Management Organisation catch data (MMO 2017a) and by 2006 to 2010 studies by Food Certification International (Nimmo and Southall 2012) and the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas 2014).

Brill in the northeast Atlantic is considered a single population and broken into two stocks (Celtic Sea Ecoregion and Greater North Sea Ecoregion) for management purposes (ICES 2010), though neither region has a management plan for brill. CIFCA has installed minimum landing sizes (MLS) of 30 cm for brill, but the European Commission has no MLS restrictions for the species (ICES 2017a) (Cornwall IFCA 2018). The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) has advised a total allowable catch (TAC) for brill in the North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, and the English Channel of 3,170 MT in 2018 (ICES 2017b), but has made no advice for brill in the Celtic Sea. The European Union has not established a TAC for brill in the English Channel or Celtic Sea (ICES 2017a) (Seafish 2018 2018).

Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Reference Point (RPs), Minimum sizes, and statuses of main species in UK beam trawl fishery

Min. Overfishing or Overfished Species TAC RPs Reference Size (ICES Division) Black-bellied *42,496 F/F = Overfishing not occurring, MSYproxy No (ICES 2018a) anglerfish t 1 overfished unknown MSY B = White *42,496 trigger Overfishing not occuring, not 22,278 t No (ICES 2018f) anglerfish t overfished FMSY = 0.28 Overfished (7.h–k), European Multiple Yes, multiple 27 overfishing (7.e) (ICES 2018c) (ICES plaice stocks stocks cm overfishing not occuring (7.f, 2018d) (ICES 2018e) 7.g) MSY B = *13,528 trigger 20 Overfishing (7.b–k, 8.a-b, Megrim 41,800 t (ICES 2018g) t cm 8.d) FMSY = 0.191 Yes, multiple 24 Overfishing (7.f, 7.g), Dover sole Yes (ICES 2018m) stocks cm overfished unknown Bib/Pouting No No No N/A

27 MSY B = trigger 35 Overfished (7.e–k), Atlantic cod 3,076 t 10,300 t (ICES 2018j) cm overfishing (7.e–k) FMSY = 0.35 Common No No No N/A cuttlefish

*Species managed under a combined TAC

Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Reference Point (RPs), Minimum sizes, and statuses of main species in UK bottom trawl fishery

TAC Min. Overfishing or Overfished Species RPs Reference (2018) Size (ICES Division) MSY B = trigger Overfishing (7.e–k), overfished Atlantic cod 3,076 t 10,300 t 35 cm (ICES 2018j) (7.e–k) FMSY = 0.35 Common No No None N/A cuttlefish (Good Fish Guide Lemon sole No No 25 cm N/A 2016) MSY B = White *42,496 trigger Overfishing not occurring, not 22,278 t None (ICES 2018f) anglerfish t overfished FMSY = 0.28 Black-bellied *42,496 F/F = 1 None Overfishing not occurring (ICES 2018a) anglerfish t MSYproxy MSY B = *13,528 trigger Megrim 41,800 t 20 cm Overfishing (7.b–k, 8.a–b, 8.d) (ICES 2018g) t FMSY = 0.191

MSY Btrigger = Whiting 22,213 t 35,000 t 27 cm Overfishing (7.b–c, 7.e–k) (ICES 2018h) FMSY = 0.52

MSY Btrigger = Haddock 6,910 t 10,000 t 30 cm Overfishing (7.b–k) (ICES 2018i) FMSY = 0.40

Main species in the UK trawl fisheries in ICES divisions 7.e–h. TAC is total allowable catch as established by the European Commission, RPs are reference points described by ICES, and minimum sizes are determined by either international, national, or regional authorities.

The Landings Obligation rules vary by ICES region for 2018. For Northwest Waters (ICES Vb, VI, and VII), species covered under Landing Obligation include: haddock, hake, megrim, nephrops, plaice, pollack, saithe, sole, and whiting. However, exemptions exist (see below) and several species that are considered in this report (cod, black-bellied anglerfish, white anglerfish, lemon sole, brill, pouting and cuttlefish) are still allowed

28 to be discarded.

Exemptions to Landing Obligation relevant to this report: -Sole caught in beam trawls with increased selectivity in VIId-h and in gill nets in VIId-g -Whiting caught in bottom trawls with mesh size <100mm in VIIb-k -Whiting caught in bottom trawls with mesh size >100mm in VII (except VIIa and VIIk) -Nephrops caught in all gear types in VI and VII

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Moderately Effective Brill is primarily landed in fisheries targeting plaice and sole and typically only accounts for less than 2% of the total catch (MMO 2017) (Nimmo and Southall 2012). Although brill-specific management is described in the justification section below, Factor 3.1 is scored on the management of the multispecies fishery. The main targeted or retained species (5% or more of the catch by weight) gillnet fishery is listed in the table below and discussed in Criterion 2. Control of fishing mortality varies by species. The EU installed a landings obligation ("discard ban") in 2013 for all species managed by total allowable catch (TAC), but some exemptions exist. Hake, anglerfish, and pollock are all managed by TAC. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and/or CIFCA have established minimum sizes for several species (MMO 2017b) (CIFCA 2018a).

The EC has consistently set pollock TAC above recommended levels, sometimes as much as three times the recommended catch (ICES 2017g). Since ICES began issues advice for pollock catch in 2013, actual landings of pollock were below the TAC but above the ICES advice in 2013, 3014, and 2016, but below ICES advice in 2015 and 2017 (ICES 2017g). Both species of anglerfish are managed in a combined TAC, which may lead to overexploitation of either species (ICES 2015), and achieving stock-specific MSYs in mixed species fisheries may not be possible (ICES 2017b).

Mixed fisheries in the Celtic Sea have no defined management objectives, which prohibits ICES from making recommendations specific to these fisheries (ICES 2016a). A multi-annual plan (MAP) is currently being developed to account for the consequences of mixed-species fisheries on single-species stock advice (ICES 2017b). Six of the seven main species in the gillnet fishery are considered healthy (i.e., abundance above reference points when known), data-limited (i.e., IUCN status of "Least Concerned") or not highly vulnerable. Atlantic cod is overfished and undergoing overfishing. The overall effectiveness of management of this fishery is uncertain, but it is unlikely that it is having a serious negative impact on more than 30% of the retained populations, resulting in a score of "moderately effective." Justification:

Overfishing or TAC Min. Species RPs Overfished Reference (2018) size (ICES Division)

29 Overfishing F proxy = 63 (ICES Ling 20,396 t MSY not occuring, 81.25 cm cm 2018p) unknown MSY Overfishing (ICES 111,785 B = 27 not occuring, 2018b), European hake trigger t 45,000 t cm not (MMO FMSY = 0.28 overfished 2017b) Overfishing MSY not *42,496 B = (ICES White anglerfish trigger none occurring, t 22,278 t 2018f) not F = 0.28 MSY overfished Overfishing *42,496 F/F = (ICES Black-bellied anglerfish MSYproxy none not t 1 2018a) occurring (MMO 30 2017b) Pollock 12,146 t None Unknown cm (ICES 2018n) Overfished MSY B trigger 35 (7.e–k), (ICES Atlantic cod 3,076 t = 10,300 t cm Overfishing 2018j) F = 0.35 MSY (7.e–k) (ICES Turbot no no none n/a 2017a) Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Reference Point (RPs), Minimum sizes, and statuses of main species in UK gillnet fishery

*Species managed under a combined TAC

Factor 3.2 - Bycatch Strategy Considerations: What type of management strategy/measures are in place to reduce the impacts of the fishery on bycatch species and when applicable, to minimize ghost fishing? How successful are these management measures? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, the fishery must have no or low bycatch, or if there are bycatch or ghost fishing concerns, there must be effective measures in place to minimize impacts.

30 example, the European Union phased in the landings obligation, or “discard ban,” for demersal fisheries beginning in 2016, and all catches of TAC species must be starting January 2019 (Guillen et al. 2018). As of 2018, hake, haddock, pollack, whiting, sole, megrim, plaice, saithe, and nephrops caught in North Western Waters (ICES areas 5b, 6 and 7) are required to be retained, though some exceptions exist (CIFCA 2017). All vessels using bottom trawls in the Celtic Sea (divisions 7f, g, and j) must use 100 mm mesh or larger—as well as square meshed panels—to improve selectivity and protect juvenile fish in the Celtic Sea (MMO 2017c). With the landings obligation in place, discard rates in 2016 for beam trawlers in the Celtic Sea remained high for cod (29%), haddock (79%), plaice (35%) and whiting (81%) (Rihan 2018). The major discarded species for the same year in the English Channel (western and eastern combined) were plaice (41%) and sole (6%) (Rihan 2018). Most discards were low value or undersized fish (Rihan 2018). Common skate and undulate ray are prohibited species and must be discarded; 50% of skates survived capture by beam trawl in a 2012 study, but mortality may be higher for smaller individuals (Ellis et al. 2012).

The landing obligation was first implemented in 2015 and it is yet to be known how fisheries and species included in the policy have been affected (Guillen et al. 2018). Furthermore, as Guillen et al. (2018) mention, success of this policy is dependent upon compliance, which will vary according to available surveillance resources and economic incentives to land all catches. Although practices are in place to reduce bycatch, discarding is still high for some species, further action may be needed, and we award a score of "moderately effective."

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Moderately Effective Some policies have been installed to reduce bycatch and discards in European fisheries. For example, the European Union phased in the landings obligation, or “discard ban,” for demersal fisheries beginning in 2016, and all catches of TAC species (with the exception of sole in ICES areas VII.d–g) must be landed by 2019 (Guillen et al. 2018). Gillnet fisheries in the Celtic Sea targeting demersal species have lower bycatch than trawl fisheries. In 2016, discard rates for gillnet fisheries in the Celtic Sea ranged from 0% to 7% for target species, with the exception of cod, which had a discard rate of 14%; the only highly discarded species in the English Channel was plaice (36%) (Rihan 2018). Fishing vessels over 12 meters in length are required to use acoustic deterrent devices ("pingers") on gillnets to reduce bycatch of dolphins and porpoises (Crosby et al. 2013). Research suggests that pingers on smaller vessels significantly reduce porpoise activity around nets, which would likely reduce bycatch (Hardy et al. 2012). As of 2014, any UK fishing vessel using bottom set gill or entangling nets in ICES areas VII.e–j are required to use pingers year-round (MMO 2014). Harbour porpoise bycatch as been reduced by 66% to 95% in nets with pingers, depending on net lengths; efficacy on common dolphin bycatch is still under investigation (Knuckey 2013).

The landing obligation was first implemented in 2015 and it is yet to be known how fisheries and species included in the policy have been affected (Guillen et al. 2018). Furthermore, as Guillen et al. (2018) mention, success of this policy is dependent upon compliance, which will vary according to available surveillance resources and economic incentives to land all catches. Bycatch reduction techniques for cetaceans have have been successful in some instances. Although practices are in place to reduce bycatch, discarding is still high for some species, further action may be needed, and we award a score of "moderately effective."

Factor 3.3 - Scientific Research and Monitoring Considerations: How much and what types of data are collected to evaluate the fishery’s impact on the species? Is there adequate monitoring of bycatch? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, regular, robust population assessments must be conducted for target or retained species, and an adequate bycatch data collection

31 program must be in place to ensure bycatch management goals are met.

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Moderately Effective The Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) has conducted fishery-independent surveys for demersal fishes in the Celtic Sea and Bristol channel since the 1980s (Tidd and Warnes 2006) and has monitored bycatch and discarding on UK fishing vessels since 2002 (Cefas 2018). The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) issues advice for several of the main species in this report. ICES stock 1 category assessments include Atlantic cod (age-based analytical assessment), hake (length-based model), and white anglerfish (age-based analytical assessment) (ICES 2018j) (ICES 2018f) (ICES 2018b). Although some data related to stock abundance is collected on other main species, assessments for turbot, black-bellied anglerfish, and pollock are data-limited because recreational catch can be unknown (ICES 2018n) and/or stock sizes are undetermined (ICES 2018a ) (ICES 2018p). Though some research data is collected to monitor stocks of main species, it is not sufficient to meet the "highly effective" category and we award a score of "moderately effective."

Factor 3.4 - Enforcement of Management Regulations Considerations: Do fishermen comply with regulations, and how is this monitored? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, there must be regular enforcement of regulations and verification of compliance.

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Highly Effective The Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) enforce fishing regulations within 6 nautical miles of shore (CIFCA 2018b). Electronic reporting of fishing catches, landings, and sales is mandatory for all vessels above 12 m in length. All EU vessels above 12 m in length are required to participate in the vessel monitoring system, and IFCAs are phasing in monitoring systems for smaller vessels with mobile gear (e.g., trawlers) (D&S IFCA 2018). Fisheries managers also have the authority to use vessel detection systems to help identify vessels and detect their positions at sea. In addition to these measures, local agencies actively patrol fishing efforts and implement a range of enforcement actions, from verbal warnings to prosecutions. CIFCA boarded 191 fishing vessels in 2014 (DEFRA 2015) and D&S IFCA prosecuted several fishing vessels for violations in 2017 (D&S IFCA 2017). Appropriate regulations are in place and there is capacity to ensure compliance, resulting in a score of "highly effective."

Factor 3.5 - Stakeholder Inclusion Considerations: Are stakeholders involved/included in the decision-making process? Stakeholders are individuals/groups/organizations that have an interest in the fishery or that may be affected by the management of the fishery (e.g., fishermen, conservation groups, etc.). A Highly Effective rating is given if the management process is transparent, if high participation by all stakeholders is encouraged, and if there a mechanism to effectively address user conflicts.

32 UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Highly Effective At the international level, the European Commission's (EC) Common Fisheries Policy was recently overhauled to incorporate more extensive stakeholder consultations (European Commission 2018). Regional Advisory Councils are composed of representatives from industry and other interest groups, and make proposals regarding fisheries management to the EC and Member States. The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) covers the Celtic Sea and English Channel, among other areas.

UK gillnet fisheries catching brill primarily occur inshore (Rihan 2018) and are thus under Inshore Fisheries Authority (IFCA) management, and IFCAs considered here in the Cornwall and Devon and Severn districts. Cornwall Inshore Fisheries Authority (IFCA) holds four annual Committee meetings in which stakeholder inclusion is encouraged, and publishes minutes of these meetings to its website (CIFCA 2018b). The Committee itself is composed of researchers, fishers, and members of environmental groups. Likewise, the Devon and Severn IFCA Committee contains diverse stakeholders, including governmental officials, fishers, and marine environmental experts (D&S IFCA 2018). In reference to bylaws, all IFCAs are required to draw on local knowledge and member expertise, advertise potential bylaws for two weeks, and allow for a 28-day consultation period (DEFRA 2015). A very high level of stakeholder inclusion is shown and a score of “highly effective” is thus awarded.

33 Criterion 4: Impacts on the Habitat and Ecosystem

This Criterion assesses the impact of the fishery on seafloor habitats, and increases that base score if there are measures in place to mitigate any impacts. The fishery’s overall impact on the ecosystem and food web and the use of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) principles is also evaluated. Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management aims to consider the interconnections among species and all natural and human stressors on the environment. The final score is the geometric mean of the impact of fishing gear on habitat score (factor 4.1 + factor 4.2) and the Ecosystem Based Fishery Management score. The Criterion 4 rating is determined as follows:

Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and ≤3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score ≤2.2=Red or High Concern

Rating cannot be Critical for Criterion 4.

Criterion 4 Summary

Gear Type and Mitigation of Region / Method Substrate Gear Impacts EBFM Score United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 2 0 Moderate Yellow (the) / Northeast Atlantic / Bottom trawls Concern (2.449) United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 3 0 Moderate Yellow (the) / Northeast Atlantic / Combined gillnets - trammel Concern (3.000) nets United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 2 0 Moderate Yellow (the) / Northeast Atlantic / Beam trawls Concern (2.449)

Criterion 4 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor 4.1 - Physical Impact of Fishing Gear on the Habitat/Substrate Goal: The fishery does not adversely impact the physical structure of the ocean habitat, seafloor or associated biological communities.

5 - Fishing gear does not contact the bottom 4 - Vertical line gear 3 - Gears that contacts the bottom, but is not dragged along the bottom (e.g. gillnet, bottom longline, trap) and is not fished on sensitive habitats. Or bottom seine on resilient mud/sand habitats. Or midwater trawl that is known to contact bottom occasionally. Or purse seine known to commonly contact the bottom. 2 - Bottom dragging gears (dredge, trawl) fished on resilient mud/sand habitats. Or gillnet, trap, or bottom longline fished on sensitive boulder or coral reef habitat. Or bottom seine except on mud/sand. Or there is known trampling of coral reef habitat. 1 - Hydraulic clam dredge. Or dredge or trawl gear fished on moderately sensitive habitats (e.g., cobble or boulder) 0 - Dredge or trawl fished on biogenic habitat, (e.g., deep-sea corals, eelgrass and maerl)

34 Note: When multiple habitat types are commonly encountered, and/or the habitat classification is uncertain, the score will be based on the most sensitive, plausible habitat type.

Factor 4.2 - Modifying Factor: Mitigation of Gear Impacts Goal: Damage to the seafloor is mitigated through protection of sensitive or vulnerable seafloor habitats, and limits on the spatial footprint of fishing on fishing effort.

+1 —>50% of the habitat is protected from fishing with the gear type. Or fishing intensity is very low/limited and for trawled fisheries, expansion of fishery’s footprint is prohibited. Or gear is specifically modified to reduce damage to seafloor and modifications have been shown to be effective at reducing damage. Or there is an effective combination of ‘moderate’ mitigation measures. +0.5 —At least 20% of all representative habitats are protected from fishing with the gear type and for trawl fisheries, expansion of the fishery’s footprint is prohibited. Or gear modification measures or other measures are in place to limit fishing effort, fishing intensity, and spatial footprint of damage caused from fishing that are expected to be effective. 0 —No effective measures are in place to limit gear impacts on habitats or not applicable because gear used is benign and received a score of 5 in factor 4.1

Factor 4.3 - Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Goal: All stocks are maintained at levels that allow them to fulfill their ecological role and to maintain a functioning ecosystem and food web. Fishing activities should not seriously reduce ecosystem services provided by any retained species or result in harmful changes such as trophic cascades, phase shifts or reduction of genetic diversity. Even non-native species should be considered with respect to ecosystem impacts. If a fishery is managed in order to eradicate a non-native, the potential impacts of that strategy on native species in the ecosystem should be considered and rated below.

5 — Policies that have been shown to be effective are in place to protect species’ ecological roles and ecosystem functioning (e.g. catch limits that ensure species’ abundance is maintained at sufficient levels to provide food to predators) and effective spatial management is used to protect spawning and foraging areas, and prevent localized depletion. Or it has been scientifically demonstrated that fishing practices do not have negative ecological effects. 4 — Policies are in place to protect species’ ecological roles and ecosystem functioning but have not proven to be effective and at least some spatial management is used. 3 — Policies are not in place to protect species’ ecological roles and ecosystem functioning but detrimental food web impacts are not likely or policies in place may not be sufficient to protect species’ ecological roles and ecosystem functioning. 2 — Policies are not in place to protect species’ ecological roles and ecosystem functioning and the likelihood of detrimental food impacts are likely (e.g. trophic cascades, alternate stable states, etc.), but conclusive scientific evidence is not available for this fishery. 1 — Scientifically demonstrated trophic cascades, alternate stable states or other detrimental food web impact are resulting from this fishery.

Factor 4.1 - Physical Impact of Fishing Gear on the Habitat/Substrate

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS

35 2 Brill inhabit sandy and mud bottom habitats (Turan et al. 2016); trawls are likely to occur over these substrates. Beam trawls disturb the sediment, can change community composition by selecting for more tolerant species (Dayton et al. 1995), and can decrease habitat heterogeneity (Engel and Kvitek 1998). Demersal trawls have similar impacts and have been shown to reduce species richness and biomass (Prena et al. 1999). Some rare muddy sand species may be completely lost from some areas as a result of mobile bottom gears (Sewell and Hiscock 2005). Effect on habitat depends on substrate and natural disturbance regimes. In areas of high natural disturbance, effects of trawling gear may be relatively short lived. However, demersal trawling in the UK was found to have a greater footprint than all other physical pressure (e.g., oil and gas, cables, wind farms, aggregate extraction, waste disposal) combined (Eastwood et al. 2007), and for more than half of the English seabed in the Greater North Sea, demersal fishing is thought to exceed natural disturbance (Diesing et al. 2013). Bottom trawls were deployed over 26% of the Celtic Sea ecoregion in 2013 and the spatial fishing footprint decreased from 2003 to 2014 because of a decrease in bottom mobile gear effort by 35% (ICES 2016d). Because the gear has a high impact on bottom habitats, we award a score of "2."

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS 3 Brill inhabit sandy and mud bottom habitats (Turan et al. 2016). Gillnets used in this fishery are static gear anchored to the ocean floor; nets targeting plaice, sole, turbot, anglerfish, and brill are set over smooth substrates (i.e., mud and sand) (Seafish 2014a). Disturbance to the seafloor from these nets is typically low. Bottom gillnets catching brill are not typically set in sensitive habitat (rocky reef or coral) and receive a score of "3."

Factor 4.2 - Modifying Factor: Mitigation of Gear Impacts

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS 0 As of 2015, an area of 3,250 to 3,300 square kilometers was closed to bottom-towed gear in England, most of which was along the southern coast (IFCA 2016). Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) cover approximately one- third of English waters, much of which is vulnerable habitat (DEFRA 2016). The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is in the process of developing management measures for MPAs, but these areas are not exclusive of fishing activities (Vaughan 2017). Habitats closed to trawling consist mostly of estuaries, reefs, and seagrass beds (Clark et al. 2017). These habitats may be important for juvenile brill, but trawl prohibitions are unlikely to affect adult brill that inhabit sandy bottoms at depths down to 100 m (van der Hammen et al. 2013). Although some vulnerable habitats are protected, and representative habitat may be protected in some regions, there is no evidence to suggest that 20% of all representative habitats are protected from all bottom contact. Therefore, the fishery doesn't meet the criteria to award mitigation credits.

36 Factor 4.3 - Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Moderate Concern Multispecies fisheries are complex with unpredictable and variable food web interactions. These fisheries, which simultaneously extract several species and life stages, may indirectly affect other species that are prey for target species (e.g., Atlantic cod, whiting, and turbot are primary predators of brown shrimp, and fishing mortality of these finfish may reduce predator pressure on brown shrimp) (Stabler et al. 2016) (Temming and Hufnagl 2015). Large gillnets and bottom trawlers operating in the Celtic Sea have substantial impact on trophic structure, and through predator release, these gears directly and indirectly affect species in trophic levels between 2 and 5 (Moullec et al. 2017).

The Marine and Coastal Access Act was passed in 2009 to pave the way for ecosystem-based management of fisheries in the UK through the creation of ten Inshore Fishery and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) and by providing the mechanism to establish Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) (Vaughan 2017). IFCAs have the authority to create bylaws for areas within 6 NM of shore, while fishing activities from 6 to 12 NM are regulated by the Marine Management Organization (MMO), and offshore management is overseen by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) (Rush and Solandt 2017). The UK government has committed to building an ecological network of marine reserves, deemed the "blue belt"; this network is not designed to exclude fishing, but to ensure that fishing activities are compatible with conservation goals (Vaughan 2017). However, at the local level, bylaws have been introduced that prohibit bottom trawling and scallop dredges in sensitive habitats; trawling and dredging is now prohibited in at least 3,300 km2 of inshore habitats (Clark et al. 2017).

There is some level of spatial management, but detrimental food web impacts are likely, and stronger policies are needed. Therefore, we award a score of "moderate concern." Justification: Brill are primarily piscivorous as adults, but also feed on fast moving crustaceans and cephalopods (Vinagre et al. 2011). Brill are a minor component of the diet of harbor seals (Hall et al. 1998) and cod (Arnett and Whelan 2001), but little information is available on their role in the food web.

37 Acknowledgements

Scientific review does not constitute an endorsement of The Safina Center or Seafood Watch® program, or its seafood recommendations, on the part of the reviewing scientists. The Safina Center and Seafood Watch® are solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report.

The Safina Center and Seafood Watch would like to thank the consulting researcher and author of this report as well as several anonymous reviewers for graciously reviewing this report for scientific accuracy.

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48 Appendix A: Extra By Catch Species MEGRIM Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS Moderate Concern There are two species of megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis and Lepidorhombus boscii), both of which are combined into a single TAC in this fishery. L. whiffiagonis has been shown to be more commonly landed than L. boscii (ICES 2018g). Spawning-stock biomass of megrim has been above the MSY Btrigger reference point since 2008, and is currently well above this target reference point (ICES 2018g). MSY Btrigger is equivalent to Bpa , and B pa is not considered conservative enough by Seafood Watch. There is a considerable amount of uncertainty in the appropriateness of MSY Btrigger and the two species are assessed together. Therefore, we award a score of “moderate" concern. Justification:

Figure 13 Megrim spawning-stock biomass in west and southwest of Ireland, Bay of Biscay - divisions 7.b-k, 8.a-b, and 8.d (ICES 2018g).

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS High Concern Fishing mortality for megrim in divisions 7.b–k and 8.a–b has been above MSY since at least 1984 (ICES 2018g). Nearly all (98.6%) landings of megrim are from trawlers. Landings are not separated for these two species of megrim. There is no mortality data for L. boscii, but mortality is currently above MSY for L. whiffiagonis, overfishing is occurring, and we award a score of “high" concern.

49 Justification:

Figure 14 Megrim fishing mortality in west and southwest of Ireland, Bay of Biscay - divisions 7.b-k, 8.a-b, and 8.d (ICES 2018g).

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS < 100% Beam and bottom trawls have the highest discard rates of any gear in the Celtic Sea ecoregion (Rihan 2018). Discard ratios in bottom trawls depend on mesh size. Smaller meshes (80 to 90 mm) trawls in the Celtic and Irish seas have been estimated to have discard rates around 50%, whereas larger mesh single and pair bottom trawlers have discard rates of 20 to 40% and 60% respectively (EU 2011). Discard rates for the beam trawl fishery targeting sole and plaice in the greater Celtic Sea ecoregion have been estimated at 42 to 67% of total catch (EU 2011). Discard data from 2004 to 2016 shows that discards remained high after the landings obligation was implemented. During this time period, discard rates of main species in the Celtic Sea ranged from 7 to 55% (large mesh bottom trawls), 13 to 59% (small mesh bottom trawls, and 29 to 81% (beam trawls) (Rihan 2018). The discard ratio for bottom and beam trawls remains high, but is less than 100%. Justification:

50 Figure 15 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

51 COMMON CUTTLEFISH Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS Moderate Concern Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN (Barratt and Allcock 2012). The English Channel (divisions 7.e–d) stock was evaluated with a two-stage biomass model, which uses survey, landings and effort data (Gras et al. 2014). Standing stock biomass estimates show no trend between 2002 and 2013, although recruited biomass declined during this same period (ICES 2015b). Previous work suggests high annual variability, making abundance estimates challenging (Gras et al. 2014). No information is available on stocks within the Celtic Sea and there is uncertainty regarding English Channel abundance estimates. Given that abundance relative to reference points are unknown and the IUCN rating, a score of “moderate" concern is awarded.

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS Moderate Concern Cuttlefish is ranked third by both weight and value in all English Channel fisheries (Gras et al. 2014), and accounted for 26% of all beam trawl landings in divisions VIIe-h in 2016 (MMO 2017a). Exploitation rates of common cuttlefish declined from 2001 to 2009 (ICES 2016c) but rates are not suggestive of overexploitation (Gras et al. 2014). There has been no clear trend in landings of this stock since 2009 (ICES 2016c). Cuttlefish have a short lifespan and environmental conditions have a strong effect on recruitment, making management via fishing effort more appropriate than methods used for finfish (e.g., TAC) (ICES 2016c). Indeed, this species is not subject to quota in the EU. There are no trends in recent mortality estimates for cuttlefish, nor established reference points, resulting in a score of “moderate" concern.

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS < 100% Beam and bottom trawls have the highest discard rates of any gear in the Celtic Sea ecoregion (Rihan 2018). Discard ratios in bottom trawls depend on mesh size. Smaller meshes (80 to 90 mm) trawls in the Celtic and Irish seas have been estimated to have discard rates around 50%, whereas larger mesh single and pair bottom trawlers have discard rates of 20 to 40% and 60% respectively (EU 2011). Discard rates for the beam trawl fishery targeting sole and plaice in the greater Celtic Sea ecoregion have been estimated at 42 to 67% of total catch (EU 2011). Discard data from 2004 to 2016 shows that discards remained high after the landings obligation was implemented. During this time period, discard rates of main species in the Celtic Sea ranged from 7 to 55% (large mesh bottom trawls), 13 to 59% (small mesh bottom trawls, and 29 to 81% (beam trawls) (Rihan 2018). The discard ratio for bottom and beam trawls remains high, but is less than 52 100%. Justification:

Figure 16 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

53 BLACKBELLIED ANGLERFISH Factor 2.1 - Abundance

Moderate Concern Two species of anglerfish are commonly landed in the mixed fisheries the Celtic Sea and western English Channel: black-bellied anglerfish (Lophius budegassa) and white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius). Anglerfish are divided into three management units in the northeastern Atlantic: Northern Shelf stock, northern Southern Shelf stock, and southern Southern Shelf stock (Fernandes et al. 2015a). Anglerfish in the areas covered in this report are from the northern Southern Shelf stock. The stock size index showed an increase in biomass in 2016 and has been relatively stable since 2009, but target abundance reference points are not defined (ICES 2018a). Black-bellied anglerfish are assessed by the IUCN as a species of "Least Concern" in the European region, but the global population is considered "Data Deficient" (Fernandes et al. 2015b). Given the uncertainty in this information, combined with the IUCN rating, we have awarded a score of “moderate" concern. Justification:

Figure 17 Biomass index of black-bellied anglerfish (Lophius budegassa) in west and southwest of Ireland and Bay of Biscay - Divisions 7.b-k, 8.a-b and 8.d (ICES 2018a)

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

After two consecutive years above FMSY , fishing mortality of black-bellied anglerfish was below FMSY in 2017 (ICES 2018a). White anglerfish and black-bellied anglerfish are managed under a combined TAC, which could lead to overexploitation of either species (ICES 2016b).54 The total catch in the northern Southern Shelf unit for black-bellied anglerfish was 13,460 t in 2017, 7% of which was landed by beam trawl and 75% was landed by demersal trawl (ICES 2018a). UK vessels accounted for 8.9% of black-bellied anglerfish landings in 2017 (ICES 2018a). Since fishing mortality is fluctuating around FMSY we award a score of "moderate" concern. Justification:

Figure 18 Mortality of black-bellied anglerfish (Lophius budegassa) in west and southwest of Ireland and Bay of Biscay - Divisions 7.b-k, 8.a-b and 8.d (ICES 2018a)

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS < 100% Beam and bottom trawls have the highest discard rates of any gear in the Celtic Sea ecoregion (Rihan 2018). Discard ratios in bottom trawls depend on mesh size. Smaller meshes (80 to 90 mm) trawls in the Celtic and Irish seas have been estimated to have discard rates around 50%, whereas larger mesh single and pair bottom trawlers have discard rates of 20 to 40% and 60% respectively (EU 2011). Discard rates for the beam trawl fishery targeting sole and plaice in the greater Celtic Sea ecoregion have been estimated at 42 to 67% of total catch (EU 2011). Discard data from 2004 to 2016 shows that discards remained high after the landings obligation was implemented. During this time period, discard rates of main species in the Celtic Sea ranged from 7 to 55% (large mesh bottom trawls), 13 to 59% (small mesh bottom trawls, and 29 to 81% (beam trawls) (Rihan 2018). The discard ratio for bottom and beam trawls remains high, but is less than 100%. Justification:

55 Figure 19 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

56 discard rates in UK fixed net fisheries averaged 36% by number and 22% by weight (Enever et al. 2007). Discard rates relative to landings for this fishery are likely to be <100%.

ANGLERFISH Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Low Concern Two species of anglerfish are commonly landed in the mixed fisheries of the Celtic Sea and western English Channel: black-bellied anglerfish (Lophius budegassa) and white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius). Anglerfish are divided into three management units in the northeastern Atlantic: Northern Shelf stock, northern Southern Shelf stock, and southern Southern Shelf stock (Fernandes et al. 2015a). Anglerfish in the areas covered in this report are from the northern Southern Shelf stock. The spawning-stock biomass (SSB) is at its highest level since 1986 and has continuously increased since 2005 (ICES 2018f). Target abundance reference points are not given, but white anglerfish are well above proxies for limit reference points and we award a score of "low" concern. Justification:

Figure 20 White anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) in southern Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay - Subarea 7 and divisions 8.a-b and 8.d. From ICES 2018f

57 Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

Moderate Concern

Fishing mortality of white anglerfish in the northern Southern Shelf stock was above the ICES FMSY in 2015 and 2016 and at FMSY in 2017 (ICES 2018f). White anglerfish and black-bellied anglerfish are managed under a combined TAC, which may prevent the effective control of single-species exploitation rates (ICES 2016b). Total landings of white anglerfish in the northern Southern Shelf unit was 27,836 t in 2017; beam trawlers accounted for 11% of landings, while demersal trawls accounted for 65% of landings from this stock (ICES 2018f). Fishing mortality for this stock has been at or above FMSY over the last three years, and we award a score of "moderate" concern. Justification:

Figure 21 White anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) fishing mortality in southern Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay - Subarea 7 and divisions 8.a-b and 8.d. From ICES 2018f

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS < 100% Beam and bottom trawls have the highest discard rates of any gear in the Celtic Sea ecoregion (Rihan 2018). Discard ratios in bottom trawls depend on mesh size. Smaller meshes (80 to 90 mm) trawls in the Celtic and Irish seas have been estimated to have discard rates around 50%, whereas larger mesh single and pair bottom trawlers have discard rates of 20 to 40% and 60% respectively (EU 2011). Discard rates for the beam trawl fishery targeting sole and plaice in the greater Celtic Sea ecoregion have been estimated at 42 to

58 67% of total catch (EU 2011). Discard data from 2004 to 2016 shows that discards remained high after the landings obligation was implemented. During this time period, discard rates of main species in the Celtic Sea ranged from 7 to 55% (large mesh bottom trawls), 13 to 59% (small mesh bottom trawls, and 29 to 81% (beam trawls) (Rihan 2018). The discard ratio for bottom and beam trawls remains high, but is less than 100%. Justification:

Figure 22 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

59 UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS < 100% Discard rates in gillnets vary widely depending on species, location, net size, and other factors (Bell and Lyle 2016). A study of hake gillnets in Portugal found average discard rates of 42% (Santos et al. 2002), while discard rates in UK fixed net fisheries averaged 36% by number and 22% by weight (Enever et al. 2007). Discard rates relative to landings for this fishery are likely to be <100%.

EUROPEAN DOVER SOLE Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS Moderate Concern Sole (Solea solea) has been assessed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a species of "Least Concern" in European waters and "Data Deficient" globally (Monroe et al. 2015). The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) define limit abundance reference points for stocks covered in this report (Bristol Channel/Celtic Sea, Celtic Sea South, and Western English Channel stocks) and spawning biomass has been above these reference points in recent years (ICES 2018k) (ICES 2018m) (ICES 2018l). However, the Bristol Channel/Celtic Sea stock and Celtic Sea South/southwest of Ireland stock have been at or near MSYBtrigger over the last few years (ICES 2018m) (ICES 2018l). Because MSYBtrigger is equivalent to Bpa , and Seafood Watch does not consider Bpa from ICES advice conservative enough, we award a score of "moderate" concern. Justification:

Figure 23 Spawning stock biomass for sole in the Western English Channel (division 7.e). From ICES 2018k

60 Figure 24 Spawning stock biomass for sole in Celtic Sea South, southwest of Ireland (divisions 7.h-k) From ICES 2018l.

Figure 25 Spawning stock biomass for sole in the Bristol Channel and Celtic Sea (divisions 7.f-g). From ICES 2018m

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS Moderate Concern Fishing mortality on sole is variable between the three stocks covered in this report. Fishing mortality in the Western English Channel (where most of the brill is landed) has been below maximum sustainable yield (FMSY ) since the mid 2000s (ICES 2018k). Likewise, fishing mortality in the Celtic Sea South has been below FMSY since 2012 (ICES 2018l). However, FMSY in the Bristol Channel and Celtic Sea (divisions 7.f–g) has be at or above FMSY since 2009, indicating that overfishing for sole is occurring in this region (ICES 2018m). Most of the beam trawl effort that lands brill occurs in the Western English Channel, but because this fishery has the potential to catch sole in the Celtic Sea stock, where overfishing is occurring, a score of "moderate" concern is awarded. Justification:

61 Figure 26 Fishing mortality for sole in the Western English Channel (division 7.e). From ICES 2018k

Figure 27 Fishing mortality for sole in Celtic Sea South, southwest of Ireland (divisions 7.h-k). From ICES 2018l

Figure 28 Fishing mortality for sole in the Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea (divisions 7.f-g) From ICES 2018m

62 Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS

< 100% Beam and bottom trawls have the highest discard rates of any gear in the Celtic Sea ecoregion (Rihan 2018). Discard ratios in bottom trawls depend on mesh size. Smaller meshes (80 to 90 mm) trawls in the Celtic and Irish seas have been estimated to have discard rates around 50%, whereas larger mesh single and pair bottom trawlers have discard rates of 20 to 40% and 60% respectively (EU 2011). Discard rates for the beam trawl fishery targeting sole and plaice in the greater Celtic Sea ecoregion have been estimated at 42 to 67% of total catch (EU 2011). Discard data from 2004 to 2016 shows that discards remained high after the landings obligation was implemented. During this time period, discard rates of main species in the Celtic Sea ranged from 7 to 55% (large mesh bottom trawls), 13 to 59% (small mesh bottom trawls, and 29 to 81% (beam trawls) (Rihan 2018). The discard ratio for bottom and beam trawls remains high, but is less than 100%. Justification:

Figure 29 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

63 Sole, 7e, beam trawl 0%, 2017 (ICES 2017e) Sole, 7.f and 7.g, beam trawl, 6.4%, 2017 (ICES 2017c) Sole, 7.h–k, trawl, 1.7%, 2017 (ICES 2017d) Lesser spotted dogfish, 6, 7a–c, and 7.e–j, demersal trawl, not quantified and known to be high, (ICES 2017h) Megrim, trawl, 7.b–k, 8.a–b, and 8.d, 12.5%, 2015 to 2017 (ICES 2018g) Whiting, 7.b–c and 7.e–k, demersal trawl, 30.5%, 2017 Haddock, 7.b–k, demersal trawl, 99.7%, 2017 (ICES 2018i) Norway lobster, 7.a, g, j, 7.g and 7.h, demersal trawl, 16 to 35%, 2014 to 2016

BIB POUTING Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS Moderate Concern There is limited information on the abundance of pouting (Trisopterus luscus) and the species has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Our Productivity-Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) demonstrates that pouting has a medium vulnerability (2.66) to fishing (see detailed scoring below). As a result of the PSA score, we have awarded a score of "moderate" concern for abundance. Justification: Risk (1 = low risk, 2 = Productivity Relevant medium attribute Information risk, 3 = high risk) 1 year (females) 2 years (males) Average age at maturity 1 (Labarta et al. 1982) 4 years (Labarta and Ferreiro Average maximum age 1 1982) 207,479 to 835,997 (Fishbase Fecundity 1 2018b) Average maximum size (fish 40 cm (Labarta et al. 1982) 1 only) Average size at maturity (fish 19.2 cm (Alonso-Fernandez et 1 only) al. 2008) Trophic level 3.7 (Fishbase 2018b) 3 Broadcast spawner (Alonso- Reproductive strategy 1 Fernandez et al. 2008)

64 Known fishing impacts on habitat Habitat quality (Husebo et al. 2002), other - factors unknown Productivity score = 1.38 Risk (1 = low risk, 2 = Susceptibility Relevant medium Attribute Information risk, 3 = high risk) > 30% of the species Areal overlap (considers all concentration is fished, 3 fisheries) considering all fisheries High degree of overlap between Vertical overlap (considers all fishing depths and depth range 3 fisheries) of species Species is incidentally encountered AND is not likely to Selectivity of fishery 2 escape the gear, BUT conditions under "high risk do not apply. Post-capture mortality (specific Retained 3 to fishery under assessment) Susceptibility score = 2.33 PSA Vulnerability = 2.66 (medium)

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS Moderate Concern Landings of pouting in the regions covered in this report from UK beam trawls averaged 548.6 MT from 2013 to 2017 (MMO 2017a). Fishing mortality reference points have not been established. The sustainability of fishing mortality is unknown and we award a score of "moderate" concern.

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS < 100%

65 Beam and bottom trawls have the highest discard rates of any gear in the Celtic Sea ecoregion (Rihan 2018). Discard ratios in bottom trawls depend on mesh size. Smaller meshes (80 to 90 mm) trawls in the Celtic and Irish seas have been estimated to have discard rates around 50%, whereas larger mesh single and pair bottom trawlers have discard rates of 20 to 40% and 60% respectively (EU 2011). Discard rates for the beam trawl fishery targeting sole and plaice in the greater Celtic Sea ecoregion have been estimated at 42 to 67% of total catch (EU 2011). Discard data from 2004 to 2016 shows that discards remained high after the landings obligation was implemented. During this time period, discard rates of main species in the Celtic Sea ranged from 7 to 55% (large mesh bottom trawls), 13 to 59% (small mesh bottom trawls, and 29 to 81% (beam trawls) (Rihan 2018). The discard ratio for bottom and beam trawls remains high, but is less than 100%. Justification:

Figure 30 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

66 Megrim, trawl, 7.b–k, 8.a–b, and 8.d, 12.5%, 2015 to 2017 (ICES 2018g) Whiting, 7.b–c and 7.e–k, demersal trawl, 30.5%, 2017 Haddock, 7.b–k, demersal trawl, 99.7%, 2017 (ICES 2018i) Norway lobster, 7.a, g, j, 7.g and 7.h, demersal trawl, 16 to 35%, 2014 to 2016

LESSER SPOTTED DOGFISH Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS Moderate Concern The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) as a species of "Least Concern," and the Northeast Atlantic population is stable or increasing (Serena et al. 2015). Survey data suggest that abundance in the Celtic Sea, West Scotland, Irish Sea, and Western English Channel has increased, but reference points are not established (ICES 2017h). Given the IUCN assessment and that abundance is assumed to be increasing, we have awarded a score of “moderate" concern.

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS Moderate Concern Fishing mortality of lesser spotted dogfish is unknown in this region. Commercial landings of lesser spotted dogfish totaled 3,932 t in 2016, and ICES has advised on maximum landings of 4,296 t for 2018 and 2019 (ICES 2017h). This species may be landed for human consumption or as bait, and has high survivorship when discarded (Serena et al. 2015). Since fishing mortality is not completely understood, but overfishing is not likely occurring, we have awarded a score of “moderate" concern.

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS < 100% Beam and bottom trawls have the highest discard rates of any gear in the Celtic Sea ecoregion (Rihan 2018). Discard ratios in bottom trawls depend on mesh size. Smaller meshes (80 to 90 mm) trawls in the Celtic and Irish seas have been estimated to have discard rates around 50%, whereas larger mesh single and pair bottom trawlers have discard rates of 20 to 40% and 60% respectively (EU 2011). Discard rates for the beam trawl fishery targeting sole and plaice in the greater Celtic Sea ecoregion have been estimated at 42 to 67% of total catch (EU 2011). Discard data from 2004 to 2016 shows that discards remained high after the landings obligation was implemented. During this time period, discard rates of main species in the Celtic Sea ranged from 7 to 55% (large mesh bottom trawls), 13 to 59% (small mesh bottom trawls, and 29 to 81% (beam trawls) (Rihan 2018). The discard ratio for bottom and beam trawls remains high, but is less than 100%. Justification:

67 Figure 31 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

LEMON SOLE Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS

68 Moderate Concern There is limited information on abundance of lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) outside the North Sea ecoregion. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has not advised on catches of Lemon sole in the areas of this report, but biomass in neighboring stocks has been stable since the mid-1980s (ICES 2017f). The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has rated lemon sole as a species of "Least Concern" in both global and European assessments (Monroe et al. 2015). Therefore, we award a score of "moderate" concern.

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS Moderate Concern A tagging study suggested that lemon sole in the western Channel may be considered a separate stock from lemon sole in the eastern Channel and North Sea (Jennings et al. 1993). UK demersal trawlers landed around 739 t of lemon sole in 2016 in the regions of this report (MMO 2017b). No reference points have been established for lemon sole outside the North Sea. The sustainability of fishing mortality is unknown and we award a score of "moderate" concern.

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

69 Figure 32 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

EUROPEAN WHITING Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS

70 Moderate Concern Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) is assessed as a species of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (Nedreaas et al. 2014). The spawning-stock biomass remains above all ICES reference points, including MSY Btrigger (which is equivalent to Bpa ) but has decreased since 2012 (ICES 2018h). Because the stock is above, but approaching MSY Btrigger, and Seafood Watch does not consider Bpa from ICES Advice conservative enough, we award a score of "moderate" concern. Justification:

Figure 33 Whiting spawning-stock biomass in the southern Celtic Seas and western English Channel - divisions 7.b-c and 7.e-k (ICES 2018h)

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS High Concern Whiting is a commercially important fish that is primarily landed in otter trawls. Landings from UK demersal trawls in divisions 7.e–h accounted for approximately one-third of landings for the southern Celtic Sea and western English Channel stock (divisions 7.b–c, 7.e–k) (ICES 2018h). Fishing mortality in the southern Celtic Sea and western English Channel stock was above FMSY in 2017, indicating that overfishing may be occurring; therefore, a score of "high" concern is awarded. Justification:

Figure 34 Whiting fishing mortality in the southern Celtic Seas and western English Channel - divisions 7.b-c and 7.e-k (ICES 2018h).

71 Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

Figure 35 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

Plaice, 7.e, beam trawl, 23%, 2017 (ICES 2018c) Plaice, 7.f and 7.g, beam trawl 166%, 2017 (ICES 2018d) Black-bellied anglerfish, all gears, 7.b–k, 8.a–b, and 8.d, 15%, 2015 to 2017 (ICES 2018a)

72 White anglerfish, all gears, 7.a–k, 9.5%, 2015-2017 (ICES 2018b) Sole, 7e, beam trawl 0%, 2017 (ICES 2017e) Sole, 7.f and 7.g, beam trawl, 6.4%, 2017 (ICES 2017c) Sole, 7.h–k, trawl, 1.7%, 2017 (ICES 2017d) Lesser spotted dogfish, 6, 7a–c, and 7.e–j, demersal trawl, not quantified and known to be high, (ICES 2017h) Megrim, trawl, 7.b–k, 8.a–b, and 8.d, 12.5%, 2015 to 2017 (ICES 2018g) Whiting, 7.b–c and 7.e–k, demersal trawl, 30.5%, 2017 Haddock, 7.b–k, demersal trawl, 99.7%, 2017 (ICES 2018i) Norway lobster, 7.a, g, j, 7.g and 7.h, demersal trawl, 16 to 35%, 2014 to 2016

EUROPEAN HAKE Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Low Concern The IUCN has assessed European hake (Merluccius merluccius) as "Least Concern" in the Northeast Atlantic, where it is managed as northern and southern stocks (Fernandes et al. 2016). This report covers portions of the northern stock. The spawning-stock biomass (SSB) has increased from 1998 to present and is well above historical estimates (ICES 2018b). Current abundance is above a limit reference point, but uncertainty in the assessment for this stock is quite high (ICES 2018b). There are no biomass target reference points, but qualitative evaluations indicate that current biomass is well above possible reference points (Fernandes et al. 2016). Biomass is well above historical estimates, but there some uncertainty, resulting in a score of “low" concern. Justification:

Figure 36 Hake spawning stock biomass in Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas, and the northern Bay of Biscay - (subareas 4, 6, and 7, and in divisions 3.a, 8.a-b, and 8.d) From ICES 2018b

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS

73 Low Concern

Fishing mortality for hake in the northern stock has been below FMSY since 2012, and currently hovers at or below recommended levels for long-term sustainability (ICES 2018b). UK gillnet landings in 2016 were less than 1% of total landings in the Northeast Atlantic (FAO 2018). Because it is probable that fishing mortality from all sources is at or below a sustainable level and this fishery is not a substantial contributor to fishing mortality, we award a score of “low" concern. Justification:

Figure 37 Hake fishing mortality in Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas, and the northern Bay of Biscay (subareas 4, 6, and 7, and in divisions 3.a, 8.a-b, and 8.d). From ICES 2018b

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

EUROPEAN POLLOCK Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Moderate Concern The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed pollock (Pollachius pollachius) as a species of "Least Concern" on a global and European scale, though there is no consensus on stock identity, and data is limited (Cook et al. 2014). ICES doesn’t have the information required to provide Advice based on a MSY approach, and instead has advised on a precautionary approach using the framework for category 4 stocks (stocks for which only reliable catch data are available) (ICES 2018n). In the absence of detailed information on abundance, combined with the IUCN status, a score of “moderate" concern is awarded.

74 Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Moderate Concern Pollock is considered a recreationally important species (Cook et al. 2014), and although specific information is lacking, recreational catches are known to be substantial (ICES 2018n). Pollock landings in mixed fisheries have been stable since the 1990s (ICES 2017g). Reference points are not defined and ICES advice is based on a MSY proxy. Fishing mortality is unknown and we award a score of "moderate" concern.

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

HADDOCK Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS Moderate Concern The IUCN has assessed haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) as species "Least Concern" in Europe, but "Vulnerable" on a global scale (Cook et al. 2015a). The stock considered in this report accounts for ~1% of the spawning-stock biomass (SSB) of all stocks within the European region (Cook et al. 2015). This stock has quantitative assessments and is rated as a Category 1 stock by ICES (ICES 2018i). SSB has decreased since 2011, but is still above limiting (Blim ), precautionary (Bpa ) and trigger (Btrigger ) reference points for the southern Celtic Sea and English Channel stock (divisions 7.b–k) (ICES 2019i). However, target reference points are not defined, and we do not know how abundance relates to BMSY , so a score of "moderate" concern is given. Justification:

75 Figure 38 Haddock spawning-stock biomass in the southern Celtic Seas and English Channel - divisions 7.b-k (ICES 2018i).

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS High Concern Fishing mortality for haddock in the southern Celtic Sea and English Channel (divisions 7.b–k) was above FMSY in 2017, and has been below a sustainable level since the 1990s, indicating that overfishing is occurring (ICES 2018i). Of landings in 2017, 80% were from bottom trawls, but UK bottom trawl fishing in divisions 7.e– h caught just 2% of all haddock in the Celtic Sea and English Channel stock (ICES 2018i) (MMO 2017a). The restrictive total allowable catch (TAC) is likely responsible for increased discarding (50% discard ratio in 2017) for this species. We have awarded a score of "high" concern because overfishing is occurring. Justification:

Figure 39 Haddock fishing mortality in the southern Celtic Seas and English Channel - divisions 7.b-k (ICES 2018i).

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

76 Justification:

Figure 40 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

77 HARBOR PORPOISE Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS

Moderate Concern Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a species of "Least Concern" (LC) (Hammond et al. 2008), and is considered to have a favorable conservation status in UK waters according to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) (IAMMWG 2015). The eastern North Atlantic population is divided into smaller units for conservation and management purposes, but thought to be a single biological population (IAMMWG 2015). Estimated harbor porpoise abundance on the European Atlantic shelf in 2013 was 375,357 (CV=0.197, 95% CI 256,304 to 549,713), with an estimated 177,000 animals in UK waters, but this is based on limited survey data and numbers of these highly mobile marine mammals are likely to vary seasonally and annually (IAMMWG 2015). Because harbor porpoises are rated as LC by the IUCN, we award a score of "moderate" concern.

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Moderate Concern The Agreement of the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS) has suggested that no more than 1.7% of the harbor porpoise population be taken by fisheries, which serves as a limit reference point (IAMMWG 2015). Annual bycatch as a percentage of abundance is between 1.06 to 1.37% (1,137 to 1,472 individuals) in the Celtic and Irish Seas, 0.39 to 0.62% (165 to 263 individuals) in Kattegat and Belt Seas, and 0.36 to 0.58% (1,235 to 1,990 individuals) in the North Sea (OSPAR 2017c).

UK gillnet fisheries are estimated to catch between 1,600 and 1,900 porpoises a year, or up to 0.39% of the population (IAMMWG 2015)(OSPAR 2017c). Estimates have a high degree of uncertainty with the precise population level effects of fisheries unclear (IAMMWG 2015). Effort from smaller commercial vessels (<10 m in length) is not represented, which may underestimate bycatch; however, data comes only from large vessels (with more gear) that may have a higher likelihood of catching porpoises, which may overestimate bycatch rates (OSPAR 2017c).

Bycatch is by far the highest source of human-related mortality, with acoustic disturbance and chemical pollution also considered high risk anthropogenic pressures (IAMMWG 2015). There are an estimated 490,000 harbor porpoises in the European North Atlantic population and bycatch from the UK gillnet fishery may be less than 50% of the limit reference point. However, there are assumptions that fail to account for spatial heterogeneity or differences in gear and effort, which introduce considerable uncertainty in bycatch estimates (OSPAR 2017c). Because there is uncertainty in the sustainability of total fishing mortality, we award a score of "moderate" concern.

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS < 100% Discard rates in gillnets vary widely depending on species, location, net size, and other factors (Bell and Lyle 78 2016). A study of hake gillnets in Portugal found average discard rates of 42% (Santos et al. 2002), while discard rates in UK fixed net fisheries averaged 36% by number and 22% by weight (Enever et al. 2007). Discard rates relative to landings for this fishery are likely to be <100%.

GRAY SEAL Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Moderate Concern Grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in European waters are assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a species of "Least Concern" (LC) (Bowen 2016). Grey seal populations in the Greater North Sea and Celtic Seas are assessed in a single "Assessment Unit" (AU) under the European Union Habitats Directive, but seal distribution is assessed in smaller AUs (OSPAR 2017b). Because seals have been hunted for a long time, it is impossible to identify a baseline condition; seals are assessed on an average annual rate of population change over six-year periods and relative to a fixed baseline defined as the 1992 abundance estimate to determine population trends (OSPAR 2017b). Grey seals have increased in this AU since 1992, and substantially so in portions of the Greater North Sea, are either stable or increasing in all areas, and pup production has increased over the long term and short term (OSPAR 2017b). Grey seal populations continue to grow as they recover from depletion in the 20th century; the carrying capacity and reference condition are not known (OSPAR 2017b). There were an estimated 139,800 seals (95% CI: 116,500 to 167,100) in the UK in 2015 (NERC 2018). Given that grey seal populations are increasing and that the IUCN has rated them as LC, we award a score of "moderate" concern.

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS High Concern Seal bycatch in UK gillnet fisheries has fluctuated between 400 and 600 seals (CV = 0.07; 95% confidence limits 449 to 1,262) per year (Northridge et al. 2017). The Western English Channel and Celtic Sea are areas of highest gillnet effort and sampling levels in other areas are too low to provide area-specific bycatch estimates (NERC 2018). Total human-induced mortality for the entire Northeast Atlantic population is not known and anthropogenic pressures (habitat loss, pollution, noise, resource competition, fisheries bycatch, culling) are still present; the continued population increase suggests that this pressure is less than it was previously (OSPAR 2017b).

Estimated bycatch levels in the Celtic Sea are greater than Potential Biological Removals (PBR) for grey seal populations of SW England, Wales, and Ireland, and the continued increase in populations in Wales and Ireland may be explained by immigration from neighboring populations (NERC 2018). The current estimated bycatch by UK vessels in ICES areas 7.a, e, f, g, j was 391, which is 40% higher than the conservative PBR value of 283 (NERC 2018). Since the majority of seal bycatch is from gillnets and trammel nets, and PBR is exceeded, we award a score of "high" concern.

79 Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS High Concern Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is considered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as a species of "Least Concern" on a global scale, but "Data Deficient" in European waters (Hammond et al. 2008). There is likely a single population in the Northeast Atlantic from Scotland, with separate populations in the Northwest Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea (IAMMWG 2015). A 2016 survey estimated 468,000 (CV: 0.26) common dolphins in the Northwest Atlantic, up from 174,000 (CV: 0.27) in the 2005 survey; a potential explanation for this difference is large-scale inter-annual variation in distribution of this species (OSPAR 2017). Historical data for this species is lacking, making the current data insufficient to assess their status (OSPAR 2017). Marine mammals are considered to have high inherent vulnerability. Because there is no evidence that this population is either above or below reference points, the species is highly vulnerable, and European populations are data deficient, we award a score of "high" concern.

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Moderate Concern The main threat to the common dolphin population in the Northeast Atlantic is bycatch and entanglement in fishing gear, and these effects are often difficult to quantify (Murphy et al. 2013). The current potential biological removal (PBR) rate of 1.7% is based on research with harbor porpoises and applied to common dolphins, but it is largely agreed that this rule is not appropriate for all cetaceans (ICES 2013). UK gillnet killed approximately 285 common dolphins in 2016 (CV 0.108, 95% confidence limits 137 to 922), but this estimate is based on observed bycatch rates (Northridge et al. 2017). Between 154 and 904 common dolphins are believed to have been taken by midwater trawls and static gillnets in Subarea 7 in 2016, while an estimated 1,607 to 4,355 animals were killed in Subrarea 8 (ICES 2018o). From midwater trawling alone, it's estimated that between 0.53% to 1.57% of the best common dolphin abundance estimate is taken as bycatch in ICES Subarea 7 and 8 (ICES 2018o). These data come from observer programs and may not be representative of all fishing mortality (Peltier et al. 2016). However, using stranding data, Peltier et. al (2016) use a drift model to suggest that common dolphin bycatch may be as much as 10 times higher than estimates from observer programs, which indicates an unsustainable mortality rate of 0.9 to 5.7% (Peltier et al. 2016). According to the International Whaling Commission (IWC), these methods have implicit uncertainty around some of the parameters used (ICES 2018o). There is uncertainty in the cumulative effect on mortality of common dolphins, the PBR may be over a sustainable level, but the fishery under assessment does not account for >50% of PBR; therefore, we award a score of "moderate" concern.

80 Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

RAYS (UNSPECIFIED) Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS High Concern Beam and bottom trawls catch various species of skates and rays: blonde ray (Raja brachyura), small-eyed ray (Raja microocellata), spotted ray (Raja montagui), thornback ray (Raja clavata), and cuckoo ray (Raja naevus) make up the majority (by weight) of the elasmobranch catch in these fisheries in ICES regions 7.e–h (MMO 2017a). The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed cuckoo and spotted rays as "Least Concern" globally and in Europe (Ellis et al. 2015b) (Ellis et al. 2015c). However, thornback skate, blonde ray, and small-eyed ray are listed as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN in European waters (McCully et al. 2015) (Ellis et al. 2015) (Ellis et al. 2016).

Occasionally, beam and bottom trawl fisheries also catch "Critically Endangered" common skate complex (Dipturus batis) and white skates (Rostroraja alba) (Ellis et al. 2015d) (Dulvy et al. 2015). The common skate complex consists of two recently separated species, blue skate (D. batis) and flapper skate (D. intermedia); blue skate is the predominant species in the Celtic Sea (division 7.e–k), but both species are currently treated together (ICES 2017c). Undulate rays (Raja undulata), a globally "Endangered" species, but "Near Threatened" in Europe, are also caught by UK demersal and beam trawls (Ellis et al. 2015e).

Blonde ray can be locally abundant in divisions 7.a and 7.f–g, but there is no reliable survey trend for this stock; fishery-dependent data suggest stability since 2011 (ICES 2017c). Thornback rays have shown an increase of 10% in catch rates in recent surveys in divisions 7.a and 7.f, and catch data suggests stable catch rates in the Western English Channel (ICES 2017c). Survey data suggest a negative trend in abundance of small-eyed rays over the last two years in the Bristol Channel (divisions 7.f–g) (ICES 2017c). Survey data suggest spotted ray abundance is increasing in divisions 7.a and 7.e–g (ICES 2017c). Cuckoo ray abundance is 39% higher in the last two years compared to the previous five years, according to survey data. Nonetheless, reference points have yet to be established for these species and all lack quantitative stock assessments. Because multiple species are considered "Near Threatened," "Endangered," or "Critically Endangered," we award a score of "high" concern.

81 Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS Moderate Concern Total allowable catches (TACs) for skates were first set in 2009 and have gradually been set according to individual species after the legal requirement to report most skate landings to the species level in 2010 (ICES 2017c). The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) provides TAC advice based on a precautionary approach for blonde ray, thornback ray, small-eyed ray, spotted ray, cuckoo ray, undulate ray, the common skate complex, and white skate in the Celtic Seas (ICES subareas 6 and 7, except 7.d) (ICES 2017c). Landings in the Celtic Seas peaked in the early and late 1980s at over 20,000 t, but have been less than 10,000 t since 2009, at least partially due to introduction of TACs (ICES 2017c). Some species may be incorrectly identified or unidentified, and reference points have not been established, making it difficult to determine what the specific impact of this fishery is on ray species. Because the sustainability of fishing mortality is unknown, we award a score of "moderate" concern.

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BEAM TRAWLS UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, BOTTOM TRAWLS < 100% Beam and bottom trawls have the highest discard rates of any gear in the Celtic Sea ecoregion (Rihan 2018). Discard ratios in bottom trawls depend on mesh size. Smaller meshes (80 to 90 mm) trawls in the Celtic and Irish seas have been estimated to have discard rates around 50%, whereas larger mesh single and pair bottom trawlers have discard rates of 20 to 40% and 60% respectively (EU 2011). Discard rates for the beam trawl fishery targeting sole and plaice in the greater Celtic Sea ecoregion have been estimated at 42 to 67% of total catch (EU 2011). Discard data from 2004 to 2016 shows that discards remained high after the landings obligation was implemented. During this time period, discard rates of main species in the Celtic Sea ranged from 7 to 55% (large mesh bottom trawls), 13 to 59% (small mesh bottom trawls, and 29 to 81% (beam trawls) (Rihan 2018). The discard ratio for bottom and beam trawls remains high, but is less than 100%. Justification:

82 Figure 41 Landings and discards of main species in the Celtic Sea for beam trawls (BT2), large mesh bottom trawls (TR1) and small mesh bottom trawls (TR2). From (Rihan 2018).

Listed below are the available discard rates (all gears) in ICES reports by: species, ICES division, gear, rate, year(s) and source:

LING Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS

83 Moderate Concern Ling (Molva molva) is a member of the cod family that inhabits deep waters in the Northeast Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. Ling has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There is no evidence to suggest genetically distinct stocks of ling, but migration between populations may be limited and the species is managed under four units (ICES 2011). The stock of interest for this report occurs around the British Isles and northern North Sea (ICES Subareas 4, 6, 7, and 8 (ICES 2011). The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) issues catch advice under a precautionary approach for this stock, but is not able to determine abundance relative to potential reference points (ICES 2018q). Standardized catch per unit effort (CPUE) data from the Norwegian longline fleet is used as an index for abundance, and has been increasing since 2004 (ICES 2018q). The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not assessed this species, so we have conducted a productivity susceptibility analysis (PSA) to assess vulnerability to fishing (see below). Because the species is not highly vulnerable and there is some evidence of a stable population, we award a score of "moderate" concern. Justification:

Risk (1 = low risk, 2 Productivity Attribute Relevant Information = medium risk, 3 = high risk) Average age at maturity 5–6 years (Cohen et al. 1990) 2 Average maximum age 14 years (Cohen et al. 1990) 2 Fecundity 20–60 million eggs/female (Cohen et al. 1990) 1 Average maximum size 200 cm (Cohen et al. 1990) 2 (fish only) Average size at maturity 90 cm (Fishbase 2018c) 2 (fish only) Trophic level 4.4 (Fishbase 2018c) 3 Reproductive strategy Broadcast spawner (Cohen et al. 1990) 1 Known fishing impacts (Husebo et al. 2002) on Habitat quality - habitat, other factors unknown Productivity score = 1.86 Risk (1 = low risk, 2 Susceptibility Attribute Relevant Information = medium risk, 3 = high risk) Areal overlap (considers > 30% of the species concentration is fished, 3 all fisheries) considering all fisheries Vertical High degree of overlap between fishing depths and overlap (considers all 3 depth range of species fisheries) Species is incidentally encountered AND is not likely Selectivity of fishery to escape the gear, BUT conditions under "high risk 2 do not apply.

84 Post-capture mortality (specific to Retained 3 fishery under assessment) Susceptibility score = 2.33 PSA Vulnerability = 2.98 (medium)

Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Low Concern Ling is primarily landed as bycatch in other bottom fish fisheries. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has established maximum sustainable yield (FMSY ) proxy reference points from the length- based indicator method, using data from the standardized catch per unit effort (CPUE) series from the Norwegian longline fleet (ICES 2018q). Of ling landings in 2016, 93% were from longline and trawl fisheries respectively, and gillnets accounted for just 5% of ling landings in all areas covered in ICES Advice (subareas 6–9 and 14, and in divisions 2.a and 4.a). The catch of ling in UK gillnet fisheries averaged 61.53 mt/year over the last five years and accounted for <1% of ling total ling catch by EU vessels in 2016 (ICES 2018q) (MMO 2017a). Landings have been stable, but increasing over recent years, and fishing mortality is below an FMSY proxy. Because the fishery under assessment is not a substantial contributor to fishing mortality, we award a score of "low" concern.

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate

TURBOT Factor 2.1 - Abundance

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Moderate Concern Turbot (Psetta maxima) is a bottom flatfish species found in the Northeast Atlantic from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle (Fishbase 2018d). Turbot has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and there is limited information on abundance. Turbot is known to have strong site fidelity and limited adult migration, suggesting separate biological units throughout their range (ICES 2013b). Turbot from Skagerrak/Kattegat (Subarea 3a) are managed as a separate stock from those in the North Sea

85 (Subarea 4) (ICES 2013b), but management in other populations is minimal. Populations of turbot in the Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay, and Iberian Waters ("Western stock") are thought to constitute a separate stock from turbot in the waters around northern Ireland (ICES 2013b). There is no information on the health of the Western stock. Therefore we award a score of "moderate" concern based on the results of a productivity susceptibility analysis (see below). Justification:

Risk (1 = low risk, 2 = Productivity Attribute Relevant Information medium risk, 3 = high risk) 2–5 years, depending on region and sex (Florin 2005) Average age at maturity 2 (ICES 2012)(Eryilmaz and Dalyan 2015) 10–25 years, depending on region (Panayotova et al. Average maximum age 2 2012) Fecundity 2–16 million eggs/female (Caputo et al. 2001) 1 Average maximum size 90 cm (Miller and Loates 1997} 1 (fish only) Average size at maturity 20–30 cm (Eryilmaz and Dalyan 2015) (Florin 2005) 1 (fish only) Trophic level 4.4 (Fishbase 2018d) 3 Reproductive strategy Broadcast spawner(Caputo et al. 2001) 1 Known fishing impacts on habitat (Husebo et al. Habitat quality - 2002), other factors unknown Productivity score = 1.57 Risk (1 = low risk, 2 = Susceptibility Attribute Relevant Information medium risk, 3 = high risk) Areal overlap (considers all > 30% of the species concentration is fished, 3 fisheries) considering all fisheries Vertical overlap (considers High degree of overlap between fishing depths and 3 all fisheries) depth range of species Species is incidentally encountered AND is not likely to Selectivity of fishery escape the gear, BUT conditions under "high risk" do 2 not apply. Post-capture mortality (specific to Retained 3 fishery under assessment) Susceptibility score = 2.33 PSA Vulnerability = 2.81 (medium)

86 Factor 2.2 - Fishing Mortality

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE) / NORTHEAST ATLANTIC, COMBINED GILLNETS - TRAMMEL NETS Moderate Concern Like brill, turbot is primarily landed as bycatch in fisheries targeting plaice and sole. Turbot landings in UK gillnets (that also landed brill) from the Western stock have averaged 161 MT over the last five years (2013 to 2017); over the same period, total turbot landings by UK and foreign vessels into the UK averaged 500 MT and 100 MT respectively (MMO 2017a). The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) does not issue advice for turbot outside the North Sea (Subarea 4) and Skagerrak/Kattegat (Division 3.a) (ICES 2013b) and there are no reference points for turbot from the Western stock. Because the sustainability of turbot fishing mortality is unknown, we award a score of "moderate" concern.

Factor 2.3 - Discard Rate