Description

Chapter 12: COMMERCIAL FISHING AND FISHERIES

This chapter outlines the baseline status of commercial fishing activity within the UKCSA, focusing on the Celtic Sea region. It draws on available fisheries data, including ICES rectangle statistics and publicly accessible datasets, to describe fishing intensity, target species, and fleet characteristics. The section also identifies limitations in data resolution and the importance of engagement with the local fishing industry and representative bodies. This baseline informs subsequent consideration of potential interactions between FLOW development and commercial fisheries.