The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is inviting views on their proposals for the forthcoming Fisheries Bill and on their future vision for sustainable fisheries policy.
The Fisheries White Paper sets out the scope of Defra’s proposed new approach to fisheries management. Their aim is to build a vibrant and sustainable UK fishing industry by taking responsibility for managing fisheries resources within UK waters, while continuing to protect and improve the marine environment, in line with their recent 25 Year Environment Plan.
After leaving the EU, the UK will become an independent coastal state under international law and will have the right to control and manage access to fish in UK waters out to 200 nautical miles or the median line. In line with UNCLOS, UK will continue to co-operate closely with the EU and coastal states on the sustainable management of fish stocks that cross borders.
As an independent coastal state, UK will decide who can access our waters after 2020 and on what terms, for the first time in over 40 years. Any decisions about giving access to our waters for vessels from the EU, or any other coastal states including Norway, will then be a matter for negotiation.
Fisheries will be a separate strand of our future relationship with the EU. Through the fisheries strand the EU and the UK, as an independent coastal state, will negotiate on access to waters and fishing opportunities on an annual basis. This is consistent with the approach to fisheries taken by other coastal states including Norway.
For more information on to take part in the consultation click here