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APPLICATIONS are invited by the UK Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for new trials of catch quota schemes in the North Sea and in Western Waters for 2012.
The schemes may be extended to include further species such as plaice, anglerfish and saithe and follow successful trials for cod and sole in 2011 which saw discards of cod and sole cut to 0.25 percent.
Successful vessels will be allocated additional quota of relevant species, subject to the outcome of negotiations at December Council.
Remote electronic monitoring (REM) equipment including CCTV will be used to document and quantify the effectiveness of the catch quota system at reducing discards across a range of fisheries; vessels may occasionally be required to carry MMO observers.
Vessel owners who expect to fish in the North Sea or Western Waters from January 1 to December 31 2012 can apply. Only English registered vessels in membership of a producer organisation are eligible.
Applicants are invited to bid for additional quota for the stocks they are interested in. Detailed information on the stocks that may be available is contained in the information packs. Available stocks will be subject to the outcome of December Council but applications may be withdrawn if terms are not agreeable.
To apply vessel owners should complete an application form which can be obtained from either ukcatchquota@defra.gsi.gov.uk"> ukcatchquota@defra.gsi.gov.uk or Julian Roberts MMO District Office Fish Quay Sutton Harbour Plymouth PL4 OLH.
An information pack is also available which contains details of the project, contract and terms and conditions.
If skippers or owners want to talk informally about the project then contact MMO's Julian Roberts on 01752 228 001.
The deadline for applications is 12 noon on 12 December 2011.
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