The UK government is carrying out a consultation as part of plans aimed at increasing the benefits the UK and coastal communities get from fisheries.
According to DEFRA, new proposals seek to ensure more catch is landed in UK ports and view are being sought on how to allocate new opportunities as a result of the UK becoming an independent coastal state.
‘As we take back control of our fisheries, we are creating new powers to set fairer fishing opportunities for industry and coastal communities through our flagship Fisheries Bill,’ stated fisheries minister Victoria Prentis.
‘We want your help to design a more profitable fishing industry. This includes ensuring that more fish are landed in UK ports, providing a boost to the whole supply chain, from auction houses to fish processors.’
The UK government has launched a series of consultations to seek opinions on a strengthened economic link for English licensed fishing vessels to help ensure genuine economic benefits for our coastal communities – including plans for an increased landing requirement of 70%.
The strengthened economic link proposals put forward for consultation would see English licensed fishing vessels land 70% of their catch in the UK, up from the current 50% figure. Such plans would allow vessel owners to use a combination of landings and quota donation to meet the economic link requirement, ‘recognising the importance of flexibility to support ongoing business practices,’ according to DEFRA.
Views are also sought on how to allocate opportunities between Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, in a way that is fairer and more profitable for fishing communities across the four nations, as well as how England’s share of those new opportunities would be distributed across the English fleet.
Consultations are open until 10th November.
