Spurdog fishing has been approved to resume in the UK's waters, following a scientific assessment that shows the stock is recovering. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has updated its previous advice, which had prohibited the species from being fished for five years. The UK has set a total allowable catch of 7,606 tonnes for 2023, with 2,781 tonnes allocated to the North Sea and 4,825 tonnes to Western waters. The government will also keep 25% of the North Sea quota in reserve, and ban landings of spurdog over 100cm in length to protect breeding stock.