Fisheries Bill presents ‘once-in-a-generation' opportunity

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• Read the full report: Beyond the Common Fisheries Policy: Scrutiny of the Fisheries Bill

The inquiry was launched in November 2018, to investigate how the Fisheries Bill will shape the future of the United Kingdom's fishing industry. The Bill will have a significant impact on coastal communities, as well as the sustainability of the UK's fisheries and those it shares with the EU and other coastal states.

Additional fishing opportunities

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, the UK will gain additional fishing opportunities. This presents a unique chance for the Government to allocate these more fairly and transparently across the sector.

Although the Committee welcomes the Government's commitment to establishing a new method of allocation, the proposals do not meet high expectations with the fisheries industry and lack detail.

Common Fisheries Policy

The Bill outlines the Government's plans to leave the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which currently governs European fishing fleets and fish stock conservation.

The CFP has been heavily criticised in the past and the Committee encourages the Government to use the UK's exit from the policy as a chance to rectify the CFP's many issues.

Access to UK waters

In addition, the Committee wants to see the Government secure the fishing industry's access to UK waters and it also has a duty to protect and police these waters.

The UK fishing industry must retain its place in the European market and any future legislation should be made on the basis that fisheries are prone to over-exploitation, and political borders do not apply – many species move freely between national territorial waters.

New fisheries management system

A new fisheries management system will also be established when the UK becomes an independent coastal state. We are calling for an independent advisory body, which can provide a forum for consultation and communication with stakeholders, to be established.

This will help to provide transparency and confidence in the decision-making process, including in the application of the Fisheries Bill's delegated powers.

This body needs to have the credibility to make a real and sustained impact, encouraging support and buy-in for the new system among all stakeholders, including the fishing industry, the scientific community and environmental groups.

Vulnerable coastal communities

The Fisheries Bill also presents a long overdue opportunity for delivering a reversal of fortunes for vulnerable coastal communities and smaller scale fishers.

A fair allocation of new and existing opportunities along economic, environmental, and social lines could lead to the regeneration of coastal communities and sustainable fishing practice. However, once again, the Government needs to clarify what funding will be available to coastal communities and how eligibility for funding would be assessed.

Objectives and goals for sustainable fisheries

During the inquiry, the Secretary of State, Michael Gove echoed Defra's commitment to setting objectives and goals for sustainable fisheries for future generations. Currently, this ambitious approach is not fully matched by the Bill, which lacks details about how the UK's international obligations will be met once the UK leaves the CFP.

Chair's comments

Neil Parish MP, the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, said:

‘What the Fisheries Bill represents is a real, once-in-a-generation chance to overhaul an outdated, overly-rigid policy. The Government needs to cast its net far and wide in order to capture and truly harness the benefits this Bill offers.

‘We must see our waters protected and properly policed. We cannot jeopardise our access to these waters or our place in the European market. It is imperative that if or when we grant access to UK waters to other countries, we do so with our own industry in mind.

‘As the saying goes, there are plenty more fish in the sea, but the question is – which sea? Fisheries move and migrate over time and we cannot face losing our access to valuable produce. The Government has a responsibility to sustain the fish market and the treatment of the fish themselves, something I believe the sector would willingly encourage.

‘As a country, we only use a small percentage of the fish we harvest and export a huge amount due to the pallet of the UK population. People in the UK should benefit from the delicious and healthy fish that is caught by our fisherman. We can all do more to support this vital industry.

‘Coastal communities, which have long been ignored, will also have the chance to flourish through the fair allocation the Bill promises – however, it remains to be seen just how the Government intends to provide the funds and which towns will be eligible.

‘We must also recognise the importance of the recreational fishing sector as a valid, valued stakeholder in UK sea fisheries and recognise the advantages of more joined up thinking between commercial and recreational industries.'

Further information

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