GovWire

The Marine Management Organisation have been tasked with preparing the Channel Demersal NQS (non-quota species) FMP, which will stretch from Sussex to Cornwall and will cover a range of demersal species.

This FMP is one of 43 FMPs to be developed under the Joint Fisheries Statement to support a sustainable and profitable fishing industry. The Channel NQS FMP will be among the first of six frontrunner FMPs being developed, with an aim to publish the plans at the end of 2023.

The process is being evidence led and the first step is to scope out what we know and identify evidence gaps. We are looking for recently graduated students to gain some excellent experience by taking up an unpaid internship to work with the MMO on this exciting new area.

Successful applicants will be expected to undertake a targeted literature review/evidence gathering process for the following evidence questions:

• What management measures have been implemented previously for the species (exploring amongst these what has or hasnt worked and why).
• Biological distribution of the priorityspecies.
• Biology of the priorityspecies incl. Life history characteristics such as: fecundity, species resilience, vulnerability and size at sexual maturity.
• Associated food webs/forage fish.
• Define low/medium/high impacts of human activities and climate change for these species (going beyond gear/feature interaction to include additional environmental criteria).
• Dealing with sentience within fisheries - focusing on the newly designated status of cephalopods (the scope could expand to include sentience in terrestrial harvest for comparison).

Species currently being looked at include: red (Chelidonichthyscuculus), tub (Chelidonichthys lucerna) and grey (Eutrigla gurnardus) gurnards; bib (Trisopterus luscus); john dory (Zeus faber); red mullet (Mullus surmuletus / Mullus barbatus); lemon sole (Microstomus kitt); brill (Scophthalmus rhombus); turbot (Scophthalmus maximus); lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula); stary smoothhound (Mustelus asterias) and smoothhound (Mustelus mustelus); common (Alloteuthis subulata) and European squid (Loligo vulgaris); common (Sepia officinalis) and elegant (Sepia elegans) cuttlefish; and lastly, the common (Octopus vulgaris) and curled octopus (Eledone cirrhos). Exact species to be prioritised under the FMP will be determined through the evidence gathering and stakeholder engagement processes.

This is a rare opportunity to be involved in helping steer Englands new approach to fisheries management. You will be expected to contribute either 15 hours a week for five to eight weeks or 30 hours a week for three to four weeks and we aim for work to commence at the end of September at the latest. The experience you gain here will be invaluable in terms of your employment prospects going forward.

If you are interested, we request that you submit the following to the addresses given below by midnight on Sunday 4th September:

1. We require a CV and a supportive reference from your dissertation supervisor or tutor with a focus on your research experience. Our minimum requirement is 70% or over in your dissertation and 65% or over in your degree.
2. You must also have evidence of undertaking a literature review related to a marine species or a fishery and include a page excerpt from your dissertation with your application.
3. Please submit a cover letter (1-2 pages) introducing yourself, outlining your topic(s) of interest, topical questions and approach to evidence gathering. Please provide your email and telephone/mobile number with the cover letter. These requirements

Successful applicants will be contacted directly following the sift of applications. Before undertaking any work, applicants will be provided a point of contact to help guide and steer the evidence gathering. An engagement plan, detailing: timeline, milestones, check-in and support sessions will be agreed between the applicant and their designated point of contact.

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch through the submission email below.

Application submissions should be sent to 