Quota Leasing Scheme
There is anticipated to be excess quota in the non-sector pools. In order to make the best use of this quota and to ensure opportunities are available to as many vessels as possible the MMO are taking the following action for English vessels.
February 2025 - Quota Leasing Scheme
Offer of underutilised quota to vessels in the non-sector with over 10 metre: Category B, C and no-quota annex licences.
The MMO is opening a window for vessels in the non-sector with over 10 metre: Category B, C and no-quota annex licences to apply for access to underutilised quota. Vessels with these licences have a limited number of quota stocks for which they can fish. Under this scheme, these vessels can apply for access to more opportunities for the remainder of 2025. At this stage only stocks where the MMO are confident there is excess within the non-sector pools will be released.
The offer means that a small amount of the quota that England receives from the Trade and Cooperation Agreement will be distributed via the MMO to these vessels upon application and depending on availability. It will enable vessels with restricted non-sector licences to fish above their current limits for the leased quota stocks up to and including 31 December 2025. Any stock under consideration to be included in the Quota Application Mechanism will only be leased until 31st March 2025.
Applications for access to this additional quota should be emailed to: fmc@marinemanagement.org.uk by 08:00 on Tuesday 4 February 2025. Applications made after this date may still be considered on a case-by-case basis and subject to quota availability.
Applications must be completed using the form located below. Where there are competing proposals for stocks the MMO will make decisions on applications based on the economic, environmental and social answers given.
The stocks covered by this initiative are listed below, however other stocks may be considered:
| Anglerfish - Area 7 | Plaice – North Sea |
| Cod - North Sea (up to 31/03/25) | Skates & Rays (6/7xd SRX up to 31/03/2025) |
| Haddock - Areas 7b-k | Sole - North Sea |
| Herring - Areas 4ab (up to 31/03/25) | Sprats – North Sea |
| Mackerel - Western (up to 31/03/25) | Sprats – 7de |
| Megrim - Area VII | Whiting – North Sea |
All non-sector licence holders were contacted via email on Monday 20 January 2025 regarding the Quota Application Mechanism, please refer to this email for further information.