Cuttlefish Fishery Action Plan
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-09)

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has implemented actions under the Fisheries Management Plans (FMP) for sustainable fisheries, social and economic goals in English waters of International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) divisions 7d and 7e.

Background

The Channel Demersal Non-Quota Species (NQS) FMP published in December 2023, highlighted the cuttlefish fishery as a data poor species and has no formal ICES stock assessment. The FMP further identified the fishery as being of high economic importance and a critical targeted fishery at risk of over exploitation. MMO has been tasked by the Defra to develop an action plan for the cuttlefish fishery, a specific short-term measure from the Channel Demersal NQS FMP, which covers English waters ICES divisions 7d and 7e.

Action Plan

MMO’s review of stakeholder responses and analysis of landings data concluded that there is no clear indication that the fishery is being exploited beyond sustainable limit and MMO are not looking to introduce any formal management at this time. The long-term aim of the action plan is to deliver sustainable exploitation of the cuttlefish fishery, however in the first iteration of the action plan aims to introduce greater monitoring and data collection to help inform future management.

MMO has developed a series of actions under the FMPs sustainable fisheries, social and economic and evidence goals for the cuttlefish fishery in English waters of ICES divisions 7d and 7e. The rationale for the action plan is to consider the measures proposed for cuttlefish in the FMP. Increase and improve quality of data monitoring and fill evidence and data gaps. Improve egg survivability and protect juveniles to support future cuttlefish repopulation and collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and improve the future iterations of the action plan.

This action plan has been drafted following FMP recommendations and engagement with key stakeholders.

Further information regarding the Cuttlefish Action Plan, can be found at: Action Plan (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cuttlefish-fishery-action-plan#documents) or contact us at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Action Plan Progress

Several of the actions detailed within the cuttlefish action plan are already in the progress of being implemented by the MMO.

Trap & Pot Handling Voluntary Code of Practice ICES 7d and 7e

The voluntary Code of Practice on trap/pot handing in English waters from the 6nm limit out to 200nm in ICES divisions 7d and 7e will be introduced by the MMO from 10 April 2025. The voluntary code of practice outlines recommendations to follow when cuttlefish eggs are attached to pots and traps. This code of practice aims to improve cuttlefish egg survival and to allow eggs to develop, hatch and reach recruitment.

Cuttlefish species ID cards

Species ID cards have been developed for the currently three known species of cuttlefish found in UK waters, common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), elegant cuttlefish (Sepia elegans) and pink cuttlefish (Sepia orbignyana). In line with recommendations in the Channel demersal NQS FMP to improve data beyond genus level recording for cuttlefish, MMO has introduced the following new codes:
- CTC – common cuttlefish
- EJE – elegant cuttlefish
- IAR – pink cuttlefish
Catch Recording App and relevant databases have been updated with the new species codes to improve data on cuttlefish species and gather evidence of catches.

You can request cuttlefish species ID cards from your local MMO office (https://www.gov.uk/contact-local-marine-management-organisation).

What happens next?

The cuttlefish fishery action plan is an adaptive and iterative process, actions will be regularly monitored and reviewed at least every six months. If new evidence or evidence from monitoring of the current plan emerges an interim report will be published and the action plan adapted.

Documents:

MMO Cuttlefish Action Plan (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67f78d456812c7adcf513e94/MMO_Cuttlefish_Action_Plan.pdf) (PDF, 222 KB, 17 pages)

Trap & Pot Handling Voluntary Code of Practice ICES 7d and 7e (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67f78d758b9b26024aef2fd5/Cuttlefish_VCoP.pdf) (PDF, 129 KB, 1 page)

Cuttlefish Species ID Cards (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67f78da704146682e61bc7a1/Cuttlefish_Species_ID_Cards.pdf) (PDF, 566 KB, 3 pages)