ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP ON FISHERIES POLICY BRIEF POLICY BRIEF NO. 19 - JANUARY 2023
Competition for space in UK waters is regarded by many fisheries stakeholders as the single greatest challenge now facing the fishing industry. On 30 November 2022, the APPG on Fisheries organised an event bringing together Parliamentarians, policymakers, fishing industry representatives, and other marine stakeholders to discuss challenges around marine spatial planning (MSP) and potential policy solutions.
This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the group. www.fisheriesappg.org | secretariat@fisheriesappg.org
Various activities in UK waters contribute to marine spatial competition, including offshore wind farm development, Marine Protected Area designations, aquaculture, and pipelines and cables. However, attention at the APPG event focused mainly on offshore wind, which is viewed by the fishing industry as the most significant threat, especially as the expansion of offshore wind capacity accelerates to help meet the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 target (1, 2).
"There's always an assumption that fishing can move without harm. But it's like a piece of elastic - when it gets so far it runs out of stretch. And we're at that point now."
This briefing synthesises discussions from the APPG event. Where additional sources have been consulted in producing this briefing, citations are provided.