The proposal came from work delivered by Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on proposal three (the trial of finer scale management) of the Crab and Lobster Fisheries Management Plan (FMP).

Given the support received during stakeholder meetings and in survey responses to the anticipated long-term benefits to crab stocks, the government has proposed the harmonisation of MCRS will be made a permanent measure in the South West.

Tim Dixon, Head of Fisheries Management, MMO, said:

We are pleased to see there was such overwhelming support from industry for harmonising minimum crab reference size and making it permanent. This will help to safeguard and maintain the species in the South West supporting MMO’s goal of creating sustainable fisheries for the long term.

The harmonisation measures

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