Strategic approach to Welsh fisheries and aquaculture: progress update

We set out our strategic approach to Welsh fisheries and aquaculture in a written statement in December 2024.

This approach focuses on: 

• getting the fundamentals right
• ensuring we have a strong base of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management

This will allow us to support a prosperous and sustainable fishing industry in Wales.

The following updates on progress made between 2 December 2024 and 15 January 2026.

Significant progress has been made across several fisheries management plans (FMPs). 

Bass

The Wales Sea Bass Advisory Group held their 10^th meeting in October 2025.

Evidence gaps are being addressed through Bangor University and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). A review of shore-based netting is complete with a scientific bycatch study commissioned.

Work is underway to:

• introduce a voluntary catch recording system for shore-based nets in the spring
• commission a socio-economic study of the Welsh recreational bass fishery
• complete a review of the current bass authorisation system

King Scallop

The King Scallop Advisory Group has held 8 meetings. These have shaped the implementation plan and proposals for changes to management measures. A public consultation on the proposals launched on 24 October 2025. 

Bangor University is delivering priority stock and seafloor integrity evidence projects.

Crabs and lobsters

The first Wales-only Crabs and Lobsters Fisheries Management Plan is on track for public consultation in early 2026. We have agreed objectives, commissioned stock assessments, and completed a draft plan. 

Pelagic and demersal: joint plans

DEFRA-led Celtic Sea and Western Channel pelagic and demersal FMPs are progressing. The aim is to consult on the draft plans in February 2026.

Development continues on the DAERA-led Irish Sea demersal and pelagic FMPs.

Scottish Government launched a consultation on 20 November 2025 on 11 UK demersal FMPs. This included Northern Shelf Hake, following engagement with Welsh Government. Development continues on the other Scottish led UK pelagic FMPs. Welsh Government is inputting to Mackerel and Blue Whiting.

We consulted on Welsh cockle permitting proposals in March 2025. We have introduced new conditions for the 2025 to 2026 permit period. These include daily catch limits, standard bag sizes, and tagging. We have completed surveys of south and north Wales cockle beds. We assumed management of the Burry Inlet bed in June 2025. This marked the first year without die-offs in 2 decades. 

Work is underway to determine the controls that may be included for the Cockle FMP. We are also preparing for a new Dee Estuary Regulating Order. Estimated total value of catches to the end of October 2025 was £5 million.

Mussels 

An informal consultation preceded the opening of Conwy Bay and Estuary fisheries. This enabled artisanal gathering from1 September 2025 to 30 April 2026. 

Whelks

The whelk permit scheme is operational. It is supported by an advisory group and annual stock surveys by Bangor University. Due to a lack of catch data, catch limits reduced by 5% for the 2025 to 2026 permit period. This is a precautionary measure. The estimated total value of catches to the end of October 2025 was £2.9 million.

Tuna

The Bluefin Tuna recreational fishery opened in August 2025. We have issued 10 permits. 

Salmon and sea trout

NRW duties for salmon and sea trout nets were agreed for 2025. A byelaw closing the Dee net fishery was confirmed. 

Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS)

UK-wide amendments to the JFS were made in late 2024. Work continues on the 3 year progress report, due to be published in spring 2026.

We continue to collaborate with UK partners on international fisheries management through active participation in the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO). Key achievements include: 

• attending ICCAT meetings to approve 2025 fishing plans
• preparing for quota-setting for 2026 to 2028

We collaborated with the Welsh Fishermen’s Association (WFA) to inform the UK fisheries development plan. This laid the basis for a significant uplift in UK bluefin tuna quota, from 63 tonnes (t) to 230t. 

NASCO’s annual meeting for 2025 was hosted in Cardiff, including:

• the presentation of stressor assessments by the parties
• the identification of the top threats to wild Atlantic salmon
• progress on regulatory measures for West Greenland and the Faroe Islands

Negotiations with the EU and other coastal states concluded for 2025 fishing opportunities. Officials responded to the UK-EU ‘reset’ announcement in May 2025. This included progress towards:

• a Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary (SPS) agreement, and
• a new Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund 

We have consistently highlighted the need for EU market access for live bivalve molluscs. We are hopeful this will be resolved through the SPS agreement. 

Negotiations for fishing opportunities for 2026 took place at the end of 2025: 

• the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) levels generally followed the advice. Where that advice was for zero TAC, small bycatch levels were agreed. In some cases, changes to the TAC are constrained by the requirements of multi annual plans
• new technical measures to protect gadoid stocks in the Celtic and Irish seas were agreed
• a 3 bag limit for recreational pollack was agreed
• due to the recovery of bass stocks after years of constraint, catch limits have been increased in line with the advice. The recreational bag limit will be increased from 2 fish per day to 3

Our enforcement teams conducted over 60 patrols in the Welsh zone and 58 inspections at sea. This resulted in 8 successful prosecutions for misreporting Dover sole, totalling: 

• £950,000 in fines and costs
• 20 fixed penalty notices for other offences 

We led multi-agency operations in the Celtic Sea and on closed razor clam and cockle beds. We responded to intelligence on potential breaches. Since June 2025, there has been a particular focus on cockle fisheries. These include the Bury Inlet which reverted to a public fishery under our control. Further enforcement successes include prosecutions for: 

• obstruction
• inshore vessel monitoring systems (iVMS) and catch recording infringements

We are using our resources to provide effective enforcement at sea and along the shore. Particularly since the return of the Lady Megan vessel following major repairs.

The permitting system is functioning well, with the following permits issued in 2025:

• 46 whelk
• 9 bluefin tuna
• 216 cockle
• 492 recreational potting
• 16 scallop

From 10 January 2026 new EU Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing (IUU) requirements came into force. This means UK exporters need to provide additional information on Catch Certificates. A campaign was undertaken to ensure the industry were prepared. A cross-government working group meets regularly. Their role is to identify opportunities to improve current systems and supporting guidance. 

The Wales Vessel Monitoring Scheme provided £194,006 to fishermen. This was to install new iVMS devices on vessels under 12 metres. This will improve reporting accuracy. 

Multi-year science contracts have been launched for the first time. This will provide greater flexibility and free up resources for critical policy advice. 

Socio-economic research is underway across key fisheries including recreational bass research. A carbon audit of the Welsh fleet, using Seafish’s seafood carbon emissions profiling tool is underway. Results are due by March 2026 to inform future funding decisions.

Digital permitting has improved on previous years, with:

• over 1300 permits issued, and
• over 16,000 catch returns submitted

Permits for Bluefin Tuna and scallops are now live. The UK data collection framework workplan for 2025 has been approved. Regulatory reform is underway. 

Work continues to strengthen the Welsh seafood supply chain. Seafish are leading a Task and Finish Group to develop a collaborative roadmap for a modern, resilient, and innovative sector. We will consider the recommendations once received.

In May 2025, Wales showcased its seafood at the Seafood Expo in Barcelona. 

Sector wellbeing initiatives, funded through Welsh Government are taking place. Their purpose is to promote health and wellbeing among fishing families. They include:

• an online directory of support services, and
• Seafit events, upcoming in February and March 

Some Several Order applications are being considered. Conversations about a potential new Dee Estuary Cockle Regulating Order are taking place. The current order expires in 2028. 

Officials continue to monitor the use of Pacific Oysters in aquaculture. They will check if further policy changes are needed as the evidence base evolves. 

Round 5 of the Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme (WMFS) opened in early 2025. It was supported by the Welsh Fisheries Animateur Pilot. It attracted strong interest, with:

• 63 contracts
• a total if £1,146,984 in funding awarded 

The Coastal Capacity Building Fund opened in June 2025, resulting in: 

• 6 successful applications, and
• a commitment of £430,132 over 2 years 

The sixth round of the WMFS opened on 7 January 2026. Due to the success of the animateur pilot, it has been extended for a further 12 months. 

We are allocating the full UK Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund allocation of £1.29 million for 2026 to 2027. This will support and enhance the fisheries sector and our coastal communities. 

The additional budget is intended to focus investment on:

• market development
• environmental protection and sustainability
• workforce investment
• coastal growth and capacity building
• science and evidence