Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) in Division 4.b, Functional Unit 8 (central North Sea, Firth of Forth)

ICES advises that when the MSY approach is applied, and under the assumptions that discarding would occur only below the minimum conservation size (MCS) and that fishery selection patterns do not change from the average (2013–2015), catches in 2017 should not exceed 2123 tonnes. This would imply wanted catch of no more than 1825 tonnes.

In order to ensure the stock in this FU is exploited sustainably, management should be implemented at the functional unit level. Any substantial transfer of the current surplus fishing opportunities from other FUs to this FU could rapidly lead to over-exploitation.