FisheryProgress.org - Fishery Improvement Project Progress Tracking Database and Tools

UK Irish Sea, West of Scotland, and North Sea great Atlantic scallop - dredge

Overview

FIP Description 

Project UK is working towards an environmentally sustainable future for UK fisheries by running Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) on 12 UK fisheries that have been selected by the UK seafood supply chain. They were selected due to their importance for the UK market.

Project UK has been developed in response to the demand from the supply chain, retailers, industry and NGOs. The project will commission an MSC pre-assessment to inform and develop an action plan for each fishery, which will identify improvements.

King scallops are found on clean firm sand and fine gravel and in currents, which provide good feeding conditions. They occur along the European Atlantic coast from northern Norway, south to the Iberian Peninsula. The bathymetric range of distribution is from the low tide mark to over 100 m, but it is most common in waters of 20-70 m.

King Scallops are a non-quota species and are therefore not subject to a TAC. Total landings of scallops in 2017 by the UK fleet in the North Sea, West of Scotland and Irish Sea was 15,954t - approximately 60% of total landings were caught in the Central North Sea and the Irish Sea. Landings were dominated by Scottish-registered vessels (77%), with 90% of landings being made by vessels over 10m in length.

How is this FIP Doing?

18% 57% 21% 4%
This shows the proportion of actions in the workplan that the FIP has completed.
0%
This shows the proportion of actions that are behind schedule, on track,completed, or not yet started.
Behind On Track Complete Future
27% 73% 0% 0%
This shows the proportion of actions specifically addressing red indicators that are behind schedule, on track, completed, or not yet started. This helps users understand the progress the FIP is making on the biggest challenges in the fishery.
Behind On Track Complete Future
0% 100% 0% 0%
FIP Progress Rating 
C - Some Recent Progress
FIP Objective(s) 

By December 2024, the FIP aims to address the following:

  • Meet the 80+ score for each MSC performance indicator within 5 years (April 2019- 2024) and be able to enter MSC full assessment. 
  • Support fisheries with the tools to implement changes and ensure their sustainable future as they move towards MSC certification
  • Follow the step by step definition of a credible FIP involving four key stages, each with associated tools & support mechanisms:
  1. Undertake MSC pre-assessment
  2. Develop an action plan for improvement
  3. Implement actions & track progress
  4. Enter full MSC assessment
  • Address and aim to improve all principle indicators scoring below 80 across the MSC as determined in the pre-assessments 
  • Use the model to establish a 'FIP conveyor belt' to identify, improve and certify UK fisheries
  • Track progress consistently and transparently, producing review reports on an annual basis using a consultant body
FIP Type 
Comprehensive
FIP Stage 
Stage 4: Improvements in Fishing Practices or Fishery Management
Start and Projected End Dates
April, 2019
December, 2024
Species 
Common Name 
Scallop spp.
Scientific Name
Pecten maximus
Gear Type 
Dredge
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)
Geographic Scope 
ICES Areas Iv, VIa & VIIa
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
11177 metric tons

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Facilitated by the Marine Stewardship Council
Organization Type 
NGO
Primary Contact 
Lisa Bennett
Email 
lisa.bennett@msc.org
Website Name 
Project UK Fisheries
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Source URL:https://fisheryprogress.org/fip-profile/uk-irish-sea-west-scotland-and-north-sea-great-atlantic-scallop-dredge