Purse seiner hauling herring. (Photo: Seafish)
Post-Brexit UK's fishing proposals promote sustainability
UNITED KINGDOM
Friday, July 13, 2018, 23:10 (GMT + 9)
The UK government has released its proposals for the future trade with the European Union after leaving the bloc, next March.
In connection to fishing, it proposes post-Brexit annual negotiations and “fairer” access to waters based on more scientific methods promoting sustainable management of stocks.
Many fisherman in Britain supported Brexit, hoping it would give them a bigger share of the catch in one of the world’s richest fishing grounds surrounding the country, Reuters reported.
Trade access, however, is also vital to Britain because it exports the bulk of the seafood it catches, while importing the majority of what it consumes.
The proposals forming part of Britain’s negotiations with the EU over the future shape of trading links include the following, among others:
- Putting in place new arrangements for annual negotiations on access to waters and the sharing of fishing opportunities based on fairer and more scientific methods.
- Any agreement should promote sustainable fishing and respect the UK’s position as an independent coastal state.
- Despite leaving the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the UK is committed to working closely with Member States and other coastal states to ensure sustainable management of shared stocks and the wider marine environment.
- The UK will publish an annual assessment on the state of fish stocks and its approach to setting opportunities for the year ahead. If particular stocks are becoming depleted, it will work with all interested parties to draw up and implement recovery plans.
- The UK remains fully committed to ending the wasteful discarding of fish.
- Trade in fisheries products should take place without tariffs or quotas.
Related articles:
- Scotland shows disappointment at post-Brexit UK’s fishing policy draft
- UK hopes to regain its fishing ground control after Brexit
- ClientEarth dissatisfied about UK's fisheries plans
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Photo Courtesy of FIS Member SEAFISH - Sea Fish Industry Authority
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