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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration has she given to the potential merits of introducing a government wide strategy to reduce overfishing in UK waters.

The Government is committed to maintaining or restoring fish stocks to sustainable levels whilst supporting the long-term viability of the UK fishing industry.

The Government's approach to reducing the risk of overfishing is set out through the Fisheries Act 2020, Joint Fisheries Statement and Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs), which together provide the UK's strategic framework for sustainable fisheries management. Eleven Defra-led FMPs have been published and are being implemented, with the final four due to be published this year.

Our approach is based on the best available scientific advice and supports the sustainable management of fish stocks over the long term.