| answer text |
<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 Marine Management Organisation (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. MMO is planning
to communicate again with fishers this summer in order to ensure that rules are clear,
and skippers comply with requirements. Responsibility for enforcing licence conditions
in Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the Devolved Administrations.</p>
|
 |
