The Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate has enacted a 21-day Real Time Closure (RTC) in a segment of the northern North Sea, following the detection of a significant abundance of cod during routine sampling operations.
The measure, which came into force at 15:00 UTC on 20 July 2026 and will remain active until 15:00 UTC on 10 August 2026, forms a key component of the UK National North Sea Cod Avoidance Plan.
The restricted zone prohibits all fishing gear types, with the exception of pelagic gears, specifically purse seine and pelagic trawl vessels. This targeted closure aims to bolster the recovery of North Sea cod stocks and assist fishing fleets in managing quota limitations stemming from reduced Total Allowable Catches (TACs).
The closure area is defined by the following coordinates: 59°41.72’N, 001°26.39’W; 59°41.72’N, 000°56.87’W; 59°26.72’N, 000°56.87’W; and 59°26.72’N, 001°26.39’W.
In adherence to the North Sea Cod Avoidance Plan, no part of an RTC is permitted within 12 nautical miles of the coastline. Consequently, the closure boundary follows the 12-nautical-mile limit between 59°41.60’N, 001°02.05’W and 59°26.60’N, 001°14.87’W.
Real Time Closures represent a primary management tool under the broader North Sea Cod Avoidance Plan. Unlike pre-determined seasonal closures, RTCs are designed for rapid deployment in response to actual concentrations of fish encountered by the fishing fleet.
This allows regulators to temporarily cordon off areas where substantial cod aggregations are identified, irrespective of the fish’s age class. These closures typically cover 15-nautical-mile by 15-nautical-mile zones and, as observed in this instance, remain in effect for 21 days, with the possibility of consecutive renewals if high cod concentrations persist.
The activation of an RTC is triggered by inspections conducted at sea by fisheries enforcement officers. Under an agreed protocol, boarding officers examine five boxes of unsorted catch, ideally taken directly from the hopper, to determine catch composition.
An RTC can be declared when cod catches exceed specified thresholds. In ICES Subarea 4a, which encompasses the northern North Sea, closures are initiated if catches reach 80 or more cod per hour, regardless of size. For ICES Subareas 4b and 4c, the threshold is set at 60 cod per hour.
Upon verification, the Commanding Officer of the Marine Protection Vessel assumes responsibility for declaring the closure. The information is then disseminated via the UK Fisheries Monitoring Centre (UKFMC), which notifies vessels, fisheries management authorities, and industry organisations. Details are also published on the Marine Directorate website.
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The North Sea Cod Avoidance Plan was developed with twin objectives: to support the recovery of North Sea cod stocks and to assist the fishing industry in navigating quota restrictions imposed due to significant reductions in TACs.
The comprehensive plan integrates seasonal spawning closures, Real Time Closures, Real Time Reporting (RTR) mechanisms, and selectivity measures aimed at reducing unwanted cod catches. Officials have noted that prior experience with RTCs, particularly during earlier cod recovery initiatives, demonstrated that such spatial management measures can have a discernible impact on cod mortality and stock biomass.
Complementing RTCs, the Real Time Reporting system allows vessel skippers to voluntarily report areas exhibiting high cod abundance. This facilitates a “move-on” arrangement, encouraging vessels to relocate at least 15 nautical miles from the reported area.
