Have Your Say: Shaping the Future of UK-EU Fishing

Have Your Say: Shaping the Future of UK-EU Fishing - Call for Evidence Launched!

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries has just announced a crucial Call for Evidence aimed at gathering insights from the heart of the UK's fishing industry and related sectors. This initiative comes at a pivotal time, with the review of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) on the horizon and the Adjustment Period for fisheries drawing to a close in June 2026.

For those working tirelessly in the fishing industry, from catching to processing and beyond, this is your opportunity to directly influence the future landscape of UK-EU fisheries arrangements. The APPG on Fisheries is actively seeking your priorities and experiences to better understand the needs of a sustainable and thriving UK fishing and seafood industry.

Why is this important?

Since the UK's departure from the EU, the TCA has set the rules of engagement, replacing the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This agreement covers vital aspects such as fishing opportunities, access to waters, and trade. While a five and a half year Adjustment Period was put in place, we are now approaching a critical juncture.

The TCA brought about a gradual transfer of fishing quota from the EU to the UK. Post-2026, the existing quota shares are set to remain stable, forming the baseline for future annual negotiations – unless both sides agree to changes. When it comes to access, the agreement currently allows full access to each other's Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), with specific arrangements for the 6-12 nautical mile territorial zone for certain fish stocks. After June 2026, the level and conditions of this access will be subject to annual agreements tied to quota shares.

The implications are significant. While the UK could, in theory, exert greater control over its waters or adjust quota allocations after the Adjustment Period, the TCA includes mechanisms that allow either side to take action if operating arrangements are substantially altered. For example, limiting EU vessels' access to UK waters could lead to reciprocal measures from the EU, such as tariffs or restricted access for UK fishing in EU waters. Currently, the TCA ensures tariff-free seafood exports to the EU, albeit with considerable administrative hurdles.

It's also crucial to remember that the fisheries section of the TCA is interwoven with other critical parts of the agreement, including trade, aviation, and road transport. This interconnectedness means that any changes to the fisheries agreement could have wider repercussions. Furthermore, the coinciding expiry of the energy cooperation agreement and the end of the fisheries Adjustment Period could potentially link these crucial areas in future negotiations. Even discussions around defence have recently been connected to fisheries.

Despite the current framework, there are potential avenues for the UK to pursue a more favourable agreement for its fishing industry, particularly concerning access and the rebalancing of quota allocations. It's no secret that the UK fishing industry voiced significant concerns about the initial TCA, citing unmet government promises, lower-than-expected quota gains, and the continued access of EU vessels to UK waters.

Now, with the TCA review on the horizon, the APPG on Fisheries wants to hear directly from you – the diverse voices within the UK fishing and seafood sector. They are keen to understand your priorities for the future of UK-EU fisheries arrangements. For more detailed information on the TCA's fisheries provisions, you can refer to the APPG Briefing [Insert Link to APPG Briefing Here if Available].

Quotes from the APPG on Fisheries Co-Chairs:

"The fishing industry is part of the fabric of our coasts and islands. The future of this industry will depend on a future fisheries deal with the EU that can support a viable and prosperous fishing industry. This must be a priority for the Government. We know that it is for our European counterparts, and we know that our counterparts are clear on their industry’s priorities. With this in mind, the APPG on Fisheries are seeking views of our industry on future arrangements that can support the UK’s fishing industry in the long-term."

— APPG on Fisheries Co-Chair, Alistair Carmichael MP

"We are entering a critical time in EU negotiations. Fisheries provide livelihoods around the coast of this nation – not just at sea, but on land in processing and retail. This sector also provides, and has the potential to provide nutritious food for the nation’s population. The more information we have going into these negotiations the better served the interests of our fishing industry and wider seafood sector, in all its diversity, will be."

— APPG on Fisheries Co-Chair, Melanie Onn MP

Have Your Voice Heard: Key Questions for Respondents

The APPG on Fisheries is particularly interested in hearing from individuals and organisations across the fishing industry and wider seafood sector on the following questions:

• What sector do you work in? Please describe the nature of your operations.
• How have post-Brexit arrangements relating to fisheries changed your operations?
• What are your priorities for future fisheries arrangements between the UK and EU?
• What changes would you like to see to secure your livelihood into the future?
• Do you have any additional comments?

How to Respond:

Your valuable insights will be collated and used to develop a briefing for APPG Members, helping to shape their work in Parliament. All responses will be anonymised.

Please send your submissions to the Call for Evidence via email to: secretariat@fisheriesappg.org

The deadline for submissions is Friday 9 May, 2025.

Don't miss this crucial opportunity to contribute to the future of the UK's fishing industry. Your experiences and priorities are vital in ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for this important sector. Make your voice heard through this important Call for Evidence!

"Recognising and Protecting the National Benefit of Sustainable Fisheries in the UK" paper.

Exemplar sustainable fishery - MSC Cornish Sardines - current annual take, just 3% of the total stock.

Summary of the paper:

The paper discusses the societal and national benefits derived from sustainable fisheries in the UK, emphasizing the necessity to reconceptualize fisheries governance under the UK's Fisheries Act 2020. It argues for a "full-spectrum" vision that balances environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and social justice to ensure fisheries contribute maximally to national well-being.

Key points include:

• The need to clearly articulate and evidence the broad range of societal benefits provided by sustainable fisheries, going beyond just fish stock management to include social, economic, and cultural dimensions,,.
• Recognition that the fishing fleet is in decline across the UK, with some sectors (especially small-scale vessels under 10 meters) and regions disproportionately affected, which threatens the benefits fisheries provide,.
• The call for a governance approach that "leaves no one behind," focusing on inclusion and support for those most vulnerable within fishing communities by understanding varying sensitivities and vulnerabilities not solely related to vessel size,.
• Emphasis on local and regional engagement in policymaking as a vital way to tailor interventions to diverse community needs and avoid uniform policies that do not account for local socio-economic conditions.

The paper also highlights growing public awareness and consensus on the importance of protecting sustainable fishing fleets as a public good, which should be leveraged to advocate for unified government action.

In conclusion, the authors call for urgent and committed action by government, industry, and science to halt the decline of the fishing fleet to preserve both the tangible and intangible benefits of fisheries for current and future generations,.

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The Eight National Benefits of Sustainable Fisheries:

The paper conceptualizes eight ‘National Benefits’ which collectively represent a public good arising from sustainable fisheries. While the document does not list them as a numbered bullet list, it distills these benefits as follows:

• Coastal Economy Benefits: Sustainable fisheries support local employment both on boats and auxiliary industries like processing, repair, sales, and tourism, contributing to regional wealth across rural and urban settings.
• Public Accessibility & Quality of Benefits: The importance of fish landing sites accessible to the public, where people can directly engage with fishers and purchase fresh fish, thereby distributing benefits socially and culturally.
• Social and Cultural Well-being: Maintenance of cultural continuity, local traditions, and community identity connected to fishing livelihoods.
• Environmental Sustainability Benefits: Ensuring fishing respects marine habitats and fish stocks, maintaining long-term ecosystem health.
• Livelihoods and Inclusion: Sustaining viable livelihoods for those dependent on fishing, ensuring no one is disproportionately disadvantaged,.
• Diversity in Fishing Fleet: A diverse fleet comprising small, medium, and large vessels employing various gears is critical for balanced delivery of economic and social benefits.
• Resilience and Adaptation: Capacity of fisheries to adapt to changing conditions to avoid irreversible decline or crisis.
• National Food Security and Well-being: Contribution to food supply and public health through providing sustainable seafood.

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How Decline of Fishing Fleets Threatens These Benefits:

The paper documents a clear and widespread decline in fishing fleet size across almost all UK regions, with the greatest losses in smaller vessels (<10 m), which typically represent small-scale fisheries,. This decrease leads to reduced employment time in fishing, losses of boats actively working, and weakening of local economies and cultures tied to fishing,.

Unequal regional impacts exacerbate vulnerabilities for specific communities, potentially accelerating social and economic exclusion. The paper highlights:

• Decline directly diminishes coastal employment and ancillary economic activities that rely on fishing,.
• Loss of public access to fisheries and fish landing sites, which undermines social and cultural connections and public engagement with fishing.
• Reduction in fleet diversity, which is necessary to balance economic and social benefits and ensure resilience.
• If unaddressed, the decline risks permanent loss of fishing communities and the benefits they provide,.

The authors urge targeted research and policy engagement to understand and address differential vulnerabilities within fishing fleets beyond a simplistic focus on vessel size, considering local context and broader social dynamics,.

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Recruitment and Vulnerability of Fishing Communities:

The paper explicitly discusses the need to recognize those disproportionately burdened within the fleet, which relates directly to recruitment issues: attracting and sustaining new fishers is critical to maintaining viable fishing livelihoods and fleet diversity,. It stresses that vulnerability is complex and not solely determined by vessel size, meaning that recruitment challenges may similarly be distributed unevenly.

An all-inclusive interpretation of "leaving no one behind" involves championing regions and groups with declining recruitment and increasing exit from the sector, to prevent further erosion of fishing activity,. Local ownership and decision-making, supported by coherent social science research, are needed to understand recruitment dynamics and support fishers facing disproportionate challenges.

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In summary:

• Sustainable fisheries deliver multiple and diverse national benefits vital to social, economic, cultural, and environmental well-being.
• The UK fishing fleet is declining, risking loss of these benefits, with small-scale sectors and certain regions particularly vulnerable.
• Addressing this requires inclusive governance that tackles vulnerabilities holistically, including recruitment challenges, through locally contextualized policies aligned with "leaving no one behind."
• Coordination among government, industry, and society is urgent to maintain and enhance the national benefits sustainable fisheries offer.

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Recognising and Protecting the National Benefit of Sustainable Fisheries in the UK: A Call to Action

Sustainable fisheries in the UK are about much more than just fish stocks. They are vital to coastal economies, cultural identity, local livelihoods, public access, and our national food security. Yet, as recent analysis reveals, the UK fishing fleet is in widespread decline, notably within small-scale sectors and certain regions—a trend that threatens to erode these essential benefits.

The UK’s Fisheries Act 2020 lays down a national benefit objective, but what exactly does that mean? This paper presents eight clear “National Benefits” that all well-managed sustainable fisheries should deliver across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. These include supporting local jobs both at sea and onshore; maintaining public access to fish and fishing culture; safeguarding coastal community resilience; promoting environmentally responsible fishing; and ensuring fisheries contribute to a secure, sustainable food supply.

But these benefits are at risk. Data show shrinking fleet numbers, particularly vessels under 10 meters that often sustain small-scale, local fishing. This gradual loss not only diminishes employment opportunities but also impacts cultural continuity, social networks, and the resilience of coastal places. Public engagement with fishing is also jeopardized, as smaller fish landing sites fade away or become less accessible.

A critical point is that vulnerability varies widely. Size alone doesn’t define who is most at risk—regional differences, social fabric, and community dynamics all matter. The paper cautions that fisheries governance must adopt a “leave no one behind” approach, focusing on inclusion and fairness. Recruitment into fishing, a key concern for the future viability of the fleet, must be part of this conversation, highlighting the need for policies that support new and existing fishers alike.

There is growing public awareness and support for protecting the sustainable fishing fleet. Now, coordinated and decisive action from government, industry, and communities is urgent. Without it, valuable national benefits may be lost—likely forever.

The takeaway? Sustainable fisheries are a public good that deserve greater recognition, protection, and promotion if the UK is to secure the broad societal benefits they provide for generations to come.

The full paper can be read or downloaded from here.