Bryce Stewart: Here is a blog just after the deal was announced https://ukandeu.ac.uk/fisheries-trade-deal/. Since then a much larger report has been published by UK in a Changing Europe. I wrote the fisheries section for that as well, which is on pages 26 and 27.

The Trade Deal: A Sellout on Fish but maybe not on enforcement

December 29, 2020 by Charles Clover

Throughout the fishing industry, there is talk of “disillusionment, betrayal and fury” and the impression that despite all the assurances the UK government caved in on fish.

As an indication of the likely improvement in the UK share of certain key fish stocks, the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations pointed out that after a five-year adjustment period the UK’s share of English Channel cod will have increased from 9.3 per cent to 10.2 per cent.

Andrew Oliver, one of the most experienced fisheries lawyers in the UK, summed it up on LinkedIn: “My ‘flabbergasted’ moment was learning the EU vessels will still be able to fish inside the UK’s 12 mile territorial limit. Yes, they would always be allowed inside the 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone but after all the huff and puff of sovereignty and claiming back our waters I did think UK territorial waters would be sacrosanct even if for political reasons to soften the pill elsewhere.

“My advice to Boris. Don’t visit any fishing ports unless you like swimming!”

It is clear that access to within six miles of the UK coast will continue for foreign vessels in the south east, south, south west, Bristol Channel and south Wales – to the probable detriment of the inshore fleet. Click here to read more

Defra sets up £23m fund for UK seafood exporters hit by Brexit

Guardian: ‘Seafood exporters hit by Brexit red tape and delays will be able to claim up to £100,000 in compensation, the government has said.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that it was putting in place a £23m compensation package for firms exporting fish and shellfish to the EU that can show they have suffered “genuine loss”.

Boris Johnson originally disclosed the government’s intentions after seafood hauliers descended on Westminster on Monday to protest at the terms of the Brexit trade deal, which has left them struggling to access EU markets. Click here to read more