Sustainable Fisheries Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Melanie Onn
Main Page: Melanie Onn (Labour - Great Grimsby)Department Debates - View all Melanie Onn's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(5 years, 10 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Michael Gove
I absolutely share the concern about pulse fishing, which has been articulated by my hon. Friends the Members for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) and for Waveney (Peter Aldous). Yes, absolutely. She and I may differ on one or two aspects of politics, but one of the many things that we are united on is our belief that we need to ensure that, as an independent coastal state, we control access to our waters and that, separately, we secure the deepest and friendliest trade, economic and other relationship with the EU.
Mr Speaker
Oh, yes, there are lots of fish in Grimsby. Let us hear about the situation.
Melanie Onn
The Secretary of State made reference in his statement to the fact that more than half the fish in our waters are caught by foreign vessels. If the Government are so committed to supporting UK fisheries, why have four out of the six most lucrative fishing licences in the world been awarded to a Norwegian company rather than SG Fisheries or Fortuna Ltd, both of which are UK-led companies? Is that how he treats his true friends?
Michael Gove
I simply remark that Norway outside the European Union seems to be doing rather well.