Regional Fisheries Groups – North West 7a
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-29)

This area covers English territorial waters in the Northwest of England between the Scottish and West borders.

Back to RFG homepage (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/regional-fisheries-groups)

Meeting Videos and Notes

10.02.25 Meeting Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkJwocI92WA)

*For older meeting recording, please contact the RFG team (xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)).
- 10.02.25 Meeting Notes (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68109106172df773f0305f42/NW_RFG_Meeting_Notes_February_2025-combined.pdf) (PDF, 2.49 MB, 35 pages)
- 17.09.24 Meeting Notes (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68109115dbea49d6a3305f50/NW_RFG_Meeting_Notes_September_2024.pdf) (PDF, 669 KB, 11 pages)
- 23.01.24 Meeting Notes (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6810912611d566056bcae9b7/RFG_Meeting_Notes_NorthWest_7a_23.01.24.pdf) (PDF, 309 KB, 8 pages)
*Meeting notes which occurred over 18 months ago can be accessed by contacting the RFG team (xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)).

Quota Videos and Presentations

17.12.24 Quota Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH716h2RkkY)

17.09.24 Quota Presentation (https://defra.sharepoint.com/:b:/r/teams/Team3037/Regional%20Fisheries%20Groups/North%20West%20-%207a/Formal%20meeting%20notes/2024/September%202024/Presentations/NW%207a%20Quota%20Presentation%20August%202024.pdf?csf=1&web=1&e=PScdYS)

21.08.24 Quota Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih3NAydSQEI)

23.01.24 Quota Presentation (https://defra.sharepoint.com/:b:/r/teams/Team3037/Regional%20Fisheries%20Groups/North%20West%20-%207a/Formal%20meeting%20notes/2024/January%202024/Presentations/NW%207a%20Quota%20Presentation%20January%202024.pdf?csf=1&web=1&e=9kTdD0)

*Older quota presentations can be accessed by contacting the RFG team (xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)).

Projects

North West Initiative

In March 2022, a consultant was commissioned by the NFFO, Seafish, and MMO to conduct an industry feasibility study of the Northwest Region. This comprehensive review examined key aspects of the fishing industry, including supply chains, fishing opportunities, transport infrastructure, market access, and consumer engagement. The resulting report outlined 12 strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening regional connections to establish a more consistent and efficient supply chain. These recommendations have been incorporated into the Northwest Action Plan.

To drive this initiative forward, a steering group was formed, bringing together representatives from across the supply chain to identify and prioritize key actions within the plan. Seafish supported these efforts by gathering economic data to inform discussions and highlight shared industry priorities.

The initiative has focused on two core areas: promoting the Northwest fishing industry and enhancing transport and logistics. Thornback ray, a species abundant in the region but with limited market presence, was selected as the focal point for promotional efforts. To showcase the Northwest’s seafood sector, Seafish collaborated with celebrity chef CJ Jackson, influencer Max Burns, and local industry members to produce a short film and social media campaign. The promotional content has now been released and can be viewed here: Thornback ray: from north-west English waters to your plate - Seafish. (https://www.seafish.org/seafood-for-life/seafood-stories/thornback-ray-from-north-west-english-waters-to-your-plate/)

Next steps include conducting a market analysis on thornback ray sales and developing a transport proposal to improve distribution. The next steering group meeting is scheduled for early April 2025.

7a Cod Quarterly Catch Limits

As of July 31, 2024, cod catch limits in ICES area 7a were adjusted to quarterly catch limits, effective until December 31, 2024. This change aimed to help fishers retain cod bycatch during peak fishing seasons while ensuring effective uptake of the available quota.

In January 2025, the MMO inshore quota team and RFG team hosted a series of meetings in Liverpool, Barrow-in-Furness, Fleetwood, and Whitehaven to discuss the future management of this stock for 2025 and beyond. The proposed approach maintains quarterly limits until March 2025, transitions to monthly limits over the summer, and then reverts to quarterly limits ahead of the winter fishery to better align with fishing patterns.

To support the non-sector fleet, the quota team has actively traded quota and leveraged cross-year trades to sustain a high catch limit, ensuring continued access to this important stock.

Fisheries Management Plan Q&A Videos

Following on from recent Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) events, four Q&A videos have been produced for FMPs currently under consultation.

The RFG team has gathered answers to common questions to help provide clarity on key elements of the plans and to assist with fishers completing the consultations. The videos feature answers from Defra policy leads, with input from Cefas, AIFCA, and the Marine Management Organisation.

Watch the videos here:

North Sea and Channel Sprat FMP - RFG Q&A -North Sea and Channel sprat FMP (https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dbr-iwgAipN0%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&data=05%7C02%7CJonathan.Brooks%40marinemanagement.org.uk%7C52271de3b33948632fc108dd24181e78%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638706408213852462%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=sSzS%2FyyzkyDmDSK4CGUnjMl73U1S6H7bP74oGdZW%2FnU%3D&reserved=0)

Cockle FMP - RFG Q&A - cockle FMP (https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCv0hQa01A5M&data=05%7C02%7CJonathan.Brooks%40marinemanagement.org.uk%7C52271de3b33948632fc108dd24181e78%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638706408213817029%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8e9Dk63Hz%2BGenvS2qvt00XCtsJ2youl%2BPS67zp7T3PU%3D&reserved=0)

Area contacts list
- RFG team: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- NW RFG Lead: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) / xx-xxxx-xxxx
- Whitehaven Office: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) / xx-xxxx-xxxx
- Preston Office: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) / xx-xxxx-xxxx
- NWIFCA: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) / xx-xxxx-xxxx
For further MMO contacts details, please see Contact in the MMO (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-mmo#:~:text=You%20can%20also%20contact%20us,Friday%208%3A30am%20to%205pm.)