The UK fisheries policy authorities – DAERA, Defra, Welsh Government, Scottish government – have collaborated to produce a Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS), which arises from a legal requirement in section 2 of the Fisheries Act 2020 (the Act).

The JFS sets out the policies of the fisheries policy authorities for achieving, or contributing to the achievement of, the Act’s eight fisheries objectives and forms part of the UK Fisheries Management and Support Framework (the Fisheries Framework).

Fisheries Management Plans

The JFS also sets out a list of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs), to be delivered over the lifetime of the first statement. FMPs will be key tools to deliver sustainable and well-managed fisheries, helping to meet the JFS’s policy commitments. Some FMPs are joint approaches with multiple administrations. These reflect the geographic extent of the particular fish stocks.

JFS policies

The JFS recognises the importance of fishing, recreational sea fishing and aquaculture to the UK and many of our coastal communities. The fisheries policy authorities commit to promoting the consumption of locally sourced seafood as a healthy, high-quality protein source, and to supporting prosperous and resilient UK and international markets.

The JFS sets out the UK’s approach to implementing the climate change objective by identifying and supporting changes to adapt to and mitigate climate change, including reducing emissions across the fishing industry to support decarbonisation. It also recognises the importance of protecting and restoring blue carbon habitats to support resilience to climate change, whilst ensuring a commitment to work with the scientific community to develop the evidence base.

The JFS recognises a healthy and resilient marine environment is the foundation for a prosperous seafood sector and thriving coastal communities, and sustainable use and conservation of the sea is central to the fisheries management approach. It commits to working with industry to reduce and, where possible, eliminate bycatch and entanglement of sensitive species. It will also inform our international work to ensure we act as global leaders in sustainable fisheries management.

The Joint Fisheries Statement can be read here.