EFRA ‘The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s Scrutiny of the Fisheries Bill report calls on the Government to utilise the opportunities presented by the Bill to evaluate and address the concerns raised about the Common Fisheries Policy.

  • Read the conclusions and recommendations
  • Read the summary
  • 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.

Click here to read more and download the report

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