Post-Brexit Opportunities for Enhanced Support in UK Sustainable Fishing

On Thursday, December 14, new strategies aimed at safeguarding and revitalizing vital fish stocks were unveiled, leveraging the UK’s newfound independence post-Brexit to bolster coastal employment and preserve marine ecosystems.

This release marks a pivotal advance toward establishing a flourishing, sustainable fishing sector and a robust marine habitat separate from the EU framework.

The initial five Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) delineate the government’s collaborative efforts with the fishing sector and various stakeholders to ensure the sustainable future of critical UK fish species, including crab, lobster, king scallop, and bass. These plans have been crafted following thorough consultations with industry participants.

These initiatives are designed to support the enduring economic viability of the UK’s essential commercial fish populations through strategies such as raising minimum conservation reference sizes and enforcing seasonal or area closures to safeguard juvenile and spawning stocks.

In conjunction with the unveiling of these plans, the government announced an additional £4 million from the £100 million UK Seafood Fund to finance projects within the catching sector aimed at enhancing vessel efficiency, port facilities, and health and safety standards.

Beyond local actions, the UK has also officially ratified the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, a treaty that prohibits damaging fisheries subsidies contributing to the global decline of fish stocks. This agreement will help curb harmful overseas subsidies linked to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, fostering sustainable fish populations worldwide—crucial for the UK fishing sector, particularly those operating in the North Atlantic.

Mark Spencer, Fisheries Minister, stated:

We are fully embracing our role as an independent coastal nation outside the EU to benefit the UK fishing industry and the coastal communities that depend on it.

Today’s announcements reflect extensive dialogue with industry players over several months, aiming to foster sustainable fish stocks and a modern, profitable fishing industry for the future.

Mike Cohen, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, remarked:

Fishers and fishing communities have the most at stake if fish stocks are not managed sustainably. These Plans represent a genuinely ambitious effort to enhance that crucial function.

With knowledgeable stakeholders engaged and high-quality scientific insights guiding the process, FMPs are positioned to sustain and expand our fishing fleet, continuing to provide affordable, nutritious, and low-carbon food.

The announcements follow the UK Government’s successful negotiation of access to 420,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities for the UK fishing industry, representing a value of up to £700 million stemming from agreements with the EU and Norway.

This brings the total fishing opportunities secured for the UK fleet in 2024 to 750,000 tonnes—80,000 tonnes more than in 2023—valued at up to £970 million based on historical landing prices.

Additional Information

Fisheries Management Plans

Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) are the foundation of the UK’s advanced fisheries management framework post-EU, leveraging the best available science and the expertise of our fishermen to guarantee healthy and sustainable fish stocks for the long term.

FMPs arise from extensive discussions with the fishing industry, recreational anglers, and other stakeholders and outline short, medium, and long-term strategies to protect and enhance fish stocks. Immediate priorities include: 

• Enhancing management of scallop, lobster, and crab fishing, including potential permit or licensing systems for whelk fishing
• Implementing new or raised Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes for crawfish, brill, lemon sole, and turbot
• Expediting the review of shore and inshore netting practices for bass to reduce bass bycatch
• Setting engine restrictions for vessels using ‘flyseine’ nets and mandating a minimum mesh size in the Channel to protect juvenile fish
• Accelerating measures to mitigate the impact of mobile bottom trawl nets on seabed ecosystems, especially in the scallop fishery
• Collaborating with stakeholders to devise a sustainable harvesting strategy for cuttlefish

UK Seafood Fund

The government will also allocate an additional £4 million through the UK Seafood Fund to modernize the UK commercial fishing fleet by enhancing vessels, port facilities, and health and safety measures. This funding is in addition to the £2 million previously set aside this year for supporting new, eco-friendly engines.

Eligible projects are categorized to directly benefit the catching sector: 

• Projects improving energy efficiency and emissions reductions on vessels can receive grants ranging from £65,000 to £200,000.
• Port infrastructure improvement projects can qualify for grants between £150,000 and £500,000.
• Initiatives aimed at improving health, safety, and worker well-being can apply for grants starting at £100,000 for vessels and £150,000 for ports, with a maximum cap of £500,000.

The UK Seafood Fund is currently supporting nearly 200 initiatives across the nation:

• 52 businesses have secured funding for trialing new, greener engines to develop a safer, more sustainable fleet.
• 29 projects are underway to enhance infrastructure and deliver social and economic advantages to coastal regions.
• Over 100 projects are focused on scientific innovation through collaborative research and new technologies.
• 11 initiatives aim to meet the current and future training and skills requirements of the fishing sector.
• Investing £1 million to enhance seafood exports to both new and established markets.

WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

This treaty is the first of its kind within the WTO to emphasize environmental sustainability, establishing binding, multilateral guidelines to eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies that contribute significantly to the depletion of global fish stocks.

The UK’s ratification of the treaty includes a commitment of up to £1 million to the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism, aimed at providing targeted technical support and capacity building for developing and least-developed WTO members to implement the Agreement.