UK King Scallop Fishery Improvement Project
Transition to Seafish
Previously the Channel and wider UK FIP were managed separately under two Project UK FIPs (UK Scallops and Channel King Scallops) and were facilitated by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) until June 2024.
The fisheries were not ready to enter MSC assessment at the end of their timeline, partly due to delays from Brexit and Covid and further work required on MSC requirements on harvest strategy, improving reporting on endangered, threatened and protected species and habitat management. However, there is a clear desire from industry and stakeholders to build on the progress made under Project UK and to continue working towards a level where the fisheries could meet the MSC standard.
In July 2024, the two FIPs were combined into one, and the role of FIP secretariat passed to Seafish to take the UK King Scallop FIP forward under the leadership of industry members. Following this, significant industry-led work to secure funding and develop a new management group, was undertaken to establish the new FIP.
Project kick-off
On the 1st March 2025, the new FIP officially launched with an expected project length of 6 years. The project has a Steering Group and a Working Group, made up of representatives from the catching sector, supply chain, regulators, science, eNGOs, and Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies. The Steering Group, chaired by Macduff Shellfish, is responsible for strategic decisions and the overall direction of the FIP. The Working Group, chaired by SWFPA, help identify and deliver actions through the provision of information and advice on specific topics in their field of expertise. The group works on the details of these actions to enable the Steering Group’s vision to be delivered.
Funding for the project is made up of contributions from members of the Steering Group, including the catching sector, processors and retail.
A Project Manager and a Fisheries Expert have been contracted to work alongside the Working Group and Steering Group. The contractors will ensure the project is run smoothly and will collaborate with members of the FIP to develop an Action Plan to help the fisheries progress towards their sustainability objectives.
Southwest Sustainability Hub & the Channel Fisheries
The new FIP currently includes UK and Channel scallop fisheries. However, it is expected that the Channel scallop fishery will be transferred to the new Southwest Sustainability Hub (SW Hub) once it is established and in a position to take it on. An annual review will occur to assess the appropriateness of this move.
Year One Focus
The project aims to help the FIP be in a position to enter MSC certification, if deemed appropriate. Year one of the project will focus on the following work areas:
Working with the industry stakeholders to develop the FIP Action Plan to set out a roadmap to drive improvements and achieve sustainable and well-managed fisheries in line with three core principles: the sustainability of the stock, ecosystem impacts, and effective management. The plan will outline work priorities, actions, and assign roles and responsibilities to members of the FIP. The Project UK End of FIP Report and Year 5 Action Plan will be utilised to guide the development of the renewed Action Plan.
Establishing an overarching work programme. This will include a timeline of milestones for developing and implementing the Action Plan, a review of funding mechanisms for the FIP, and an annual review process for the transition of the Channel scallop FIP to the SW Hub.
Communication materials to share information and updates on the FIP’s progress to wider interested partners. This will include the use of social media, trade media, and the Seafish webpage to spread awareness of the FIP’s work.
All relevant documentation will be published on this page so check back regularly for updates.
Contacts
To find out more about the UK King Scallop FIP, please contact Holly Kaiser (Fisheries Analyst) by emailing holly.kaiser@seafish.co.uk.