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<p>The Government recognises that accidental bycatch in fisheries is one of the greatest
threats faced by sensitive marine species such as cetaceans, and we remain fully committed
to tackling this issue.</p><p> </p><p>The UK introduced new rules in 2021 making it
a mandatory requirement under fishing vessel licence conditions for fishers to report
any marine mammal bycatch to the MMO. On the introduction of this requirement, communications
were sent out by Defra, the Devolved Administrations and the MMO to ensure that industry
understood the new obligations. Responsibility for enforcing licence conditions in
Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the Devolved Administrations.</p>
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