Division 7.6.1

As the estimated loss of landings is low it is expected that the impact on the UK fishing fleet and Belgian fishing fleet from this closure will be limited. A number of affected fishers stated during MMO pre-consultation meetings that bottom towed gear is not used over the bedrock reef features, but potential loss of earnings could potentially occur within the buffer areas around the bedrock reef features. This has been estimated in Table 3. Formal consultation from the Belgian fishing industry representatives confirmed that the Belgian fishery is limited in this site. The French fishing industry representatives confirmed that there will be a loss of fishing grounds around the Hatt Rock prohibited area however alternative fishing grounds are easily accessible.