Thank you for contacting me about fishing and protecting the ocean.
The UK has some of the finest fish stocks in the world, forming an integral part of healthy marine ecosystems while providing livelihoods, enjoyment and prosperity to coastal communities. As an independent coastal state, the UK is able to build a modern, resilient and profitable fishing industry underpinned by sustainable fish stocks and a healthy marine environment for the future.
Sadly, the Government has given away the prize most desired by EU member states, access to UK fishing waters. Extraordinarily, the Government has agreed 12 years access for the EU to UK waters. It is hardly surprising that the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations has described the deal as a surrender and a giveaway. The Government has shown again that when it negotiates, Britain loses.
I note your concerns about bottom trawling. As I understand it, bottom trawling is a broad term describing methods of pulling fishing gear along the seabed to catch fish and/or shellfish. Bottom trawls are used by all parts of the fishing fleet, including both small day boats and large offshore vessels. I understand that bottom trawling and other fishing methods are prohibited when they have a negative impact on the habitats or species protected by a Marine Protected Area (MPA). You may be interested to know that 60 per cent of England’s MPAs have bottom trawling restrictions already. However, I understand that the Government is consulting on extending this further to ban the destructive practice in more Marine Protected Areas.
I hope that the Government's approach considers the UK's domestic and international nature conservation obligations and also the sustainability of the fishing sector.
