The Western Waters effort regime applies to UK fishing vessels over 15 metres in length fishing in waters to the west of Scotland, Wales, England including the Channel and south west towards France and Spain (ICES Areas VI, VII and VIII). It has become necessary to establish management measures on activity by UK vessels fishing for scallops in ICES Area VII.
The UK fisheries administrations (UKFAs) – the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Marine Scotland, Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Northern Ireland and the Welsh Government – have joint responsibility for the regime.