Found: This is a sad departure from the promises in the Fisheries Act and the Joint Fisheries Statement that

Found: .  Measures that meet the sustainability and ecosystem-based objectives set out in the UK Fisheries Act

Found: We were set up by the Fisheries Act 1981 and our sponsor is the Department for Environment, Food and

Found: invested in initiatives that will help to restore inshore fisheries, achieve the objectives of the Fisheries Act

Found: legislative drivers and commitments, including supporting with meeting the ecosystem objective of the Fisheries Act

Found: legislative drivers and commitments, including supporting with meeting the ecosystem objective of the Fisheries Act

Found: The UK Government should also use the forthcoming Post-Legislative Scrutiny of the Fisheries Act to put

Found: .  The UK Government should also use the forthcoming Post-Legislative Scrutiny of the Fisheries Act

Found: Closing these gaps is a legal requirement under the Fisheries Act (2020), the Fisheries Management Plans

Found: fishing-related activities” – the BBNJ Bill will implement this exception by reference to the Fisheries Act

Found: fishing-related activities” – the BBNJ Bill will implement this exception by reference to the Fisheries Act

Found: fishing-related activities” – the BBNJ Bill will implement this exception by reference to the Fisheries Act

Found: fishing-related activities” – the BBNJ Bill will implement this exception by reference to the Fisheries Act

Found: fishing-related activities” – the BBNJ Bill will implement this exception by reference to the Fisheries Act

Found: Supporting delivery of the Fisheries Act (2020), but also wider marine governance, the evidence statement

Found: That is very important and that has been taken forward through the Fisheries Act, which has now set

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help meet the National Benefit objective of the Fisheries Act 2020.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The UK requires that vessels fishing against UK quota demonstrate a tangible economic contribution to the UK.

This is primarily achieved through the economic link licence condition, embedded in fishing licences. As part of the Quota Application Mechanism trial in England, we score applicants based on environmental commitments but also on delivered social and economic benefits.

We have begun independently evaluating new fishing opportunities to ensure they are realising the social and economic benefits intended. For instance, two recent reports show that bluefin tuna fisheries provide multiple social and economic benefits for coastal communities.

To ensure social and economic benefits in the national interest can be assessed, we have inaugurated a new Fishing Industry Social Survey to complement the existing economic fleet Survey. Over 400 fishermen responded this year, and results of the survey will be published in the near future.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the fixed quota allocation system for distributing the catch quotas.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Fixed Quota Allocation (FQA) system was introduced in 1999 and is only one of the ways in which quota is allocated. While the UK Government does not routinely conduct formal assessments of the FQA system itself, it continually monitors fish stocks based on the latest scientific advice. In addition to the FQA system, quota is also distributed through the Quota Application Mechanism trial in England supporting our commitment to the Fisheries Act objectives.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure Fisheries Management Plans deliver sustainable fisheries management.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

In line with the UK Fisheries Act 2020 Defra is committed to managing our fisheries sustainably. Defra has published the first set of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) and are on course to publish the next five by the end of 2025, with a further four to be published by the end of 2026. The plans are evidence based, collaboratively developed, and set out measures to maintain or restore stocks to sustainable levels. Implementation is underway, with critical actions already taken such as an increase in minimum conservation reference size (MCRS) for crawfish to protect the juveniles of these stocks from being landed before they have matured. Plans will be kept under review to ensure they remain effective.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the report of Oceana UK Deep Decline in October, what steps they are taking to ensure that North Sea cod is fished at sustainable levels.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is committed to restoring our stocks to sustainable levels and supporting the long-term viability of the UK fishing industry. This is in line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement. We work with the EU and Norway to set annual catch limits for shared North Sea cod stocks, informed by the best available scientific advice on the state of these stocks. This is principally advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. The UK continues to lead the trilateral (UK, EU and Norway) cod management working group to further our joint understanding and collaboration on existing management measures, and to consider improvements or modifications which could provide additional protection to cod substocks.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the report of Oceana UK Deep Decline in October, what steps they are taking to ensure that all commercial fish stocks have catch limits set that do not exceed scientific advice.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is committed to restoring our stocks to sustainable levels and supporting the long-term viability of the UK fishing industry. This is in line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement. We work with international partners to set annual catch limits for shared fish stocks, informed by the best available scientific advice on the state of those stocks. This is principally advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the report of Oceana UK Deep Decline in October, what consideration they have given to setting a legally binding deadline to end overfishing.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Fisheries Act 2020 contains a commitment to recover stocks to sustainable levels through the development of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs). We are taking this approach having learned from the well-intentioned but ultimately unachievable single deadline set out in the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy for getting all fish stocks to “Maximum Sustainable Yield” (MSY). Our FMPs allow us to assess the state of the stocks and set out a series of tailored and evidence-based short-, medium- and long-term measures to maintain or restore stocks to MSY.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to ensure that all commercial fish stocks have catch limits that do not exceed scientific advice.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is committed to restoring our stocks to sustainable levels and supporting the long-term viability of the UK fishing industry. This is in line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement. We work with international partners to set annual catch limits for shared fish stocks, informed by the best available scientific advice on the state of those stocks. This is principally advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that North Sea cod is fished at sustainable levels.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is committed to restoring our stocks to sustainable levels and supporting the long-term viability of the UK fishing industry. This is in line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement. We work with the EU and Norway to set annual catch limits for shared North Sea cod stocks, informed by the best available scientific advice on the state of these stocks. This is principally advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. The UK continues to lead the trilateral (UK, EU and Norway) cod management working group to further our joint understanding and collaboration on existing management measures, and to consider improvements or modifications which could provide additional protection to cod substocks.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to prevent the overfishing of commercially important species.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is committed to restoring our stocks to sustainable levels and supporting the long-term viability of the UK fishing industry. This is in line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement. We work with international partners to set annual catch limits for shared fish stocks, consistent with the best available scientific advice on the state of those stocks. This is principally advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. We are also taking action to sustainably manage our marine resources through Marine Protected Area management and Fisheries Management Plans, which apply to all vessels in UK waters.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) sustainability and (b) economic resilience of small-scale shellfish fisheries post-Brexit.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Fisheries Act 2020 enshrines in law the Government’s commitment to sustainable fishing, including to produce Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) to ensure our stocks are being fished sustainably and the marine environment is protected.

Through FMPs we are working to further develop and implement effective, evidence-based management to deliver long-term sustainability of our important shellfish fisheries.

Once the new partnership with the EU is implemented, we expect the SPS Agreement will allow exports of undepurated Class B live bivalve molluscs from GB to the EU to resume.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people have been fined by the Environment Agency for fishing with a rod licence since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

All anglers caught fishing without a licence are subject to enforcement action as outlined in the Environment Agency’s Enforcement and Sanctions Policy here. Rod licence income is ring fenced to be used by the Environment Agency to maintain, improve and develop freshwater fisheries in England and Wales.

Please see below the number people and actions for Offences for fishing without a Rod licence (Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act Section (1) (a).

NB: The table includes for actions taken between 04/07/2023 to 01/09/2024, for comparison purposes.

Please note, the EA has brought prosecutions against people, however the court imposes penalties after convictions, and the EA itself does not have the power to fine individuals for Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act offences. Fines are imposed by the courts and go to Treasury.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish a report on the implementation of the policies set out in the Joint Fisheries Statement, published on 22 November 2022.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The fisheries policy authorities are required to publish a report every three years setting out the extent to which the policies in the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) have been implemented, and the contribution these policies have made towards achieving the Fisheries Act 2020 objectives. The first report must cover the policies implemented in the three-year period following the publication of the JFS on 22 November 2022. We therefore expect to publish the first report in 2026.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure a (a) sustainable and (b) supportive approach to the fishing industry.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

We are committed to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the UK fleet and will continue to work closely with the fishing industry and coastal communities. In line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, we strive to improve the sustainability of our fisheries, and publish annual independent assessments of our progress.

In addition, on 19 May 2025 we announced the £360 million Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund will help invest in the next generation of fishermen and on 9 June we reopened the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, two schemes that will support the industry.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research his Department is supporting to facilitate the sustainable expansion of British (a) deep-sea species, (b) aquaculture and (c) other fisheries.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

Defra is committed to supporting the UK fishing industry in line with our domestic and international obligations, including those in the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement. Defra routinely supports significant scientific research to facilitate the sustainable management of fisheries, including through investments in the Seafood Innovation Fund and the Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships Scheme under the UK Seafood Fund. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, (a Defra Executive Agency) also support a variety of innovative solutions to ensure a sustainable future for our seas, such as a recent project on the nitrogen and carbon sequestration potential of mussel and seaweed aquaculture.

Found: ) (notice of intended prosecution); (d)paragraph 10 of Schedule 4 to the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act

Found: ), and 203 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23); section 15(1) and (2) of the Sea Fisheries Act

Found: subsection (1)(a)(i) and (ii) exclude fishing using a UK craft by reference to the provisions of the Fisheries Act

Found: subsection (1)(a)(i) and (ii) exclude fishin g using a UK craft by reference to the provisions of the Fisheries Act

Found: of a UK craft for fishing— (i) in accordance with a licence issued under section 15(1) of the Fisheries Act

Found: a UK craft for fishing— 10(i) in accordance with a licence issued under section 15(1) of the Fisheries Act

Found: For example, licence conditions and powers under the Fisheries Act 202018 could be used to implement

Found: fishing-related activities” – the BBNJ Bill will implement this exception by reference to the Fisheries Act

Found: 99.9 Other triable either way (non motoring) 9888 09888 - Triable either way offences under Sea Fisheries Act

Found: The Fisheries Act 2020 may offer a helpful case-study here.

Found: environment, FMPs must follow expert guidance and be aligned with the eight objectives of the Fisheries Act

Found: Relevant Context Monitoring: • Fisheries Act 2020: Introduces sustainability objectives and strengthens

Found: In addition to this, the UK government enacted the Fisheries Act 2020, which may have also influenced

Found: Net Limitation Order (NLO) – Mechanism within the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act, 1975 whereby

Found: The Fisheries Act 2020 may offer a helpful case-study here.

Found: Required water undertakers to submit a draft drought plan to Defra by 1 April 2021 ✓ 2020 Fisheries Act

Found: circumstances where the fishing or taking may be authorised under s27A of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act

Found: eels on 3 August 2024, Wieclaw was charged under section 27 (1) (a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act

Found: 1995/C21 - Schedule 13 (38)A 2009/C23SI 2019/746 - Reg. 2A 2020/C22 - Schedule 4 A1.30 The Sea Fisheries Act

Found: Delivery Partners to provide underpinning evidence to meet the requirements set out in the Fisheries Act

Found: FMP Delivery Partners to provide underpinning evidence to meet the requirements set out in the Fisheries Act

Found: year Environment Plan, with new powers and duties from the Environment Act, Agriculture Act and Fisheries Act

Found: recorded;“British sea-fishery officer” means any person who by virtue of section 7 of the Sea Fisheries Act

Found: of the sustainability, precautionary, scientific evidence and bycatch objectives set out in the Fisheries Act

Found: recorded; “British sea-fishery officer” means any person who by virtue of section 7 of the Sea Fisheries Act

Found: the sustainability, precautionary, scientific evidence and bycatch objectives set out in the Fisheries Act

Found: offence. 1 British Sea Fishery Officer” has the meaning given by section 7 of the Sea Fisheries Act

Found: Ministers have a wide discretion when using their sea fishing licensing powers under Schedule 3 of the Fisheries Act

Found: objective for natural capital; • Scotland’s National Marine Plan; • Joint Fisheries Statement and Fisheries Act

Found: In addition, the Fisheries Act 2020 amends the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to allow Scottish

Found: In addition, the Fisheries Act 2020 amends the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to allow Scottish Ministers

Found: The Fisheries Act 2020 amends the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to allow Scottish Ministers to

Found: • Fisheries Act 2020 : Set out provisions in relation to fisheries, fishing, aquaculture and marine

Found: the EU in 2020, the UK no longer falls under the CFP legislation and has since implemented the Fisheries Act

Found: Firth of Clyde) Order 2024 sustainable economic activity in-line with our obligations under the Fisheries Act

Found: balance our environmental and economic responsibilities in-line with our obligations under the Fisheries Act

Found: 2020-2030 environmental and economic responsibilities in-line with our obligations under the Fisheries Act

Found: Fisheries Statement outlines the policies for achieving the eight fisheries objectives in the Fisheries Act

Found: power to grant sea fishing licences is conferred on Scottish Ministers under Section 15 of the Fisheries Act

Found: International   The Scottish Ministers in exercise of their powers under paragraph 1 of schedule 6 of the Fisheries Act

Found: International   The Scottish Ministers in exercise of their powers under paragraph 1 of schedule 6 of the Fisheries Act

Found: principle which reflects national and international commitments and objectives, including the UK Fisheries Act

Found: International The Scottish Ministers in exercise of their powers under paragraph 1 of schedule 6 of the Fisheries Act

Found: International   The Scottish Ministers in exercise of their powers under paragraph 1 of schedule 6 of the Fisheries Act

Found: accordance with our statutory responsibilities as set out in Sections 13-18 and Schedule 3 of the Fisheries Act

Found: been clear our resources are currently focussed on delivering the statutory commitment in The UK Fisheries Act

Found: Programme for Government 2024-25, National Marine Plan including Regional Marine Planning, The Fisheries Act

Closed Consultation: Clyde Seasonal Closure

Found: balance environmental and sustainable economic activity in-line with our obligations under the Fisheries Act