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 assuming that discard rates and fishery selection patterns do not change from the average of the years 2019–2021, catches in 2023 should be no more than 3201 tonnes.

To ensure that the stock in Functional Unit (FU) 8 is exploited sustainably, management should be implemented at the functional unit level.

ICES notes the existence of a management plan, developed and adopted by one of the relevant management authorities for Subarea 4. ICES considers this plan to be precautionary when implemented at the functional unit level.