UK Secures Fishing Opportunities Valued at Over £970 Million for 2024
UK Fishing Industry Secures Over £970 Million in Fishing Opportunities for 2024
Fishing boats docked at a port
According to a government report released today (Wednesday, April 10), the UK fishing sector has secured fishing opportunities valued at over £970 million for 2024.
In its fourth year as an independent coastal nation, the UK achieved an increase of approximately 61,000 tonnes (a 9% rise) and an added value of around £53 million (6%) in fishing opportunities compared to the previous year. Key negotiations were held in three primary forums: UK-EU, UK-EU-Norway, and coastal state discussions. The total fishing opportunities for the UK fleet in 2024 now stand at approximately 752,000 tonnes, translating to a value of roughly £973 million.
Post-Brexit, the UK has gained a greater share of various quotas established in these negotiations, particularly for species like Western mackerel and North Sea herring. It is estimated that the UK has acquired an additional £132 million in fishing opportunities for 2024 compared to what would have been allocated as an EU member state.
Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer remarked:
We are dedicated to negotiating access to premium fish stocks that will foster a sustainable and profitable fishing industry in the UK for years to come.
By leveraging our independence outside the EU, we have negotiated a better arrangement for our fishermen while continuing to safeguard our marine ecosystems.
The ‘Economic Outcomes of Annual Negotiations for UK Fishing Opportunities in 2024’ report details the tonnage and estimated value of the UK’s total quota for 2024 derived from all sources. This publication is accompanied by an assessment of the sustainability of the fisheries catch limits negotiated by the UK for 2024.
The UK employs a comprehensive approach to ensuring sustainability in its negotiated outcomes, featuring more rigorous reporting standards than other coastal states. For this year, 46% of total allowable catches (TACs) were established in accordance with scientific recommendations, a rise from 40% in 2023, marking this as the most sustainable agreement since the UK exited the EU.
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Published on April 10, 2024
Elena Rossi is a graduate of the University of Hohenheim in Germany, where she earned her degree in Agricultural Economics. Her coursework centered on farm management, agricultural policy, and rural development. Elena is dedicated to enhancing the economic viability of small farms and works as a policy analyst, advising on agricultural economics and food security issues in Europe.