Setting a catch limit and increasing the minimum landing size are among the management measures being considered for those fishing for sole in Lyme Bay.

It comes amid reports of increased sole fishing in the area causing competition for fishing space, 'gear conflicts' and a possible reduction in the volume of sole catches and the size of the fish.

A consultation on potential measures is being run by Marine Management Organisation (MMO) until May 28.

Fishermen have already had a say on the proposals and now stakeholders outside the industry are being encouraged to give their views.

Tim Dixon, Head of Fisheries Management at MMO, said: “We’ve had a great response to the consultation.

“As we want to get the widest possible range of views on the social, environmental and economic sustainability of Lyme Bay’s sole fishery we are now appealing for more people who are associated with the fishery directly or indirectly to have their say.”

Working with a steering group of fishers, scientists, policy makers and fisheries managers, MMO launched a consultation at the end of March.

The total available quota for sole in the area has more than doubled since 2015, enabling MMO to raise monthly catch limits for the non-sector fleets significantly.

The increase in quota availability has led to increased uptake and an increase in the total value earned from sole by those fleets but at the same time concerns have been raised about the potential impact of the increase in fishing activity.

MMO has worked with local and national partners to gather data about the sole fishery in Lyme Bay in response to these concerns and has concluded there is sufficient evidence to suggest that potential management measures should be considered.

Potential changes to current management measures include:

• Set a bespoke catch limit for Lyme Bay

• An increase in the minimum landing size for sole

• Spatial and / or temporal separation of gear types

• Require enhanced visibility of net markers e.g., the use of colour coded buoys and flags

• Gear restrictions:

-a limit on the quantity and/or length of fixed net that can be set within Lyme Bay or

-an increase to the mesh size that can be used in trawls or fixed nets, or

-restrictions on the specification or use of scallop dredges.

* Have your say at https://consult.defra.gov.uk/fisheries-management-team/formal-consultation-lyme-bay-potential-management/