Late Monday night, negotiations between the UK and the EU – covering trade, defence and fishing, came to a dramatic close, as the UK agreed to allow EU vessels continued access to UK waters until 2038.
Reaction to the deal on fishing revealed highly differing views.
The UK Government stressed that the agreement maintains the status quo – stating there will be “no increase in the amount of fish EU vessels can catch in British waters,” and describing the deal as one that brings “stability and certainty” to the sector.
Tavish Scott from Salmon Scotland – representing an export-dependent sector – welcomed the agreement, saying it would “slash red tape and speed up the delivery of our premium Salmon to market.”
Image description: Fishing boat at sunset
However, many observers believe that extending the fishing access was the key concession which resolved the talks late last night and the deal has drawn sharp criticism from many in the fishing industry.
The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations said the UK had given away “the best card that we still had in our hand in fisheries discussions with Europe.” Elspeth MacDonald, from the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, called the deal “a horror show for Scottish fishermen, far worse than Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit agreement” and the Scottish White Fish Producer’s Association labelled the deal an “utter betrayal.” Politicians have also been weighing in on the government’s deal, with Gordon and Buchan Conservative MP Harriet Cross calling it “one of the biggest acts of betrayal that our fishing industry has seen in Scotland.”
The deal comes ahead of the UK-EU summit in London – seen as a milestone in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s push to reset relations with Brussels. Attention now turns to the full details of the agreement as they emerge.
The government have said that the fund will invest in new technology and equipment to modernise Britain’s fishing fleet, deliver new training and skills to back the next generation of fishers and promote the seafood sector to export produce across the world. The government have also said they will work with the industry to target investment where it matters most.