The NFFO is very disappointed with today’s deal and its impact on fishermen and their communities.

 The NFFO gave its opinion on today's announcement on Fishing.

"Giving the EU twelve years of guaranteed access to UK waters up to the six-mile inshore limit gives away the best card that we still had in our hand in fisheries discussions with Europe. This surrenders the best prospect that the fishing industry and coastal communities had for growth over the coming decade. We had reason to believe that our government understood the economic, symbolic and conservation value of reclaiming exclusive access for UK boats to our territorial waters within 12 miles of the coast. Clearly, however, they did not value such things as much as their European counterparts.

The Prime Minister and EU have claimed that the SPS agreement will benefit the UK fishing industry, in the form of boosted exports. It is true that it may help producers of farmed shellfish and salmon, as well as the biggest retailers and exporters, but it is very unlikely that any savings from reduced export costs will be passed down to the men and women who go to sea. If the Government has a plan to ensure these cost savings go down the supply chain, we are eager to hear it and happy to work with them on it.

Moving forward, the Government must work hard to rebuild trust in the fishing industry and in coastal communities, where fishing remains integral to their economy and identity. Many people in these communities will now think the Government does not care about them.

The Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund announced today sounds significant, but the devil will be in the detail. We need the Government to work closely with us, to ensure the money is actually spent in ways that directly benefit fishermen. There must be a long term plan to help fishing business to grow and coastal communities to thrive. Having given away our best tool for achieving that, the task will be harder now, but it is no less important.

The NFFO wants to continue working closely with the Government, for the benefit of our industry and the communities we support. With significant existential threats, including the rush to expand offshore wind farms onto productive fishing grounds, we have had nothing but bad news for too long. The Government must show that it cares for our sector and for people on the coast. Close and constructive collaboration on the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund and a national strategy on fishing would be a good start."

Here's another view from across the Channel https://eutoday.net/starmer-brussels-fishing-betrayal/