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 the British fishing industry operate sustainably.

HM Government is committed to sustainable fishing and the principle of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) as set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and our Fisheries White Paper.

The draft Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) included a list of proposed Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) around the UK with a timetable for their publication. FMPs will be evidence-based action plans developed with fishermen and stakeholders to deliver sustainable fisheries for current and future generations.

The £100 million UK Seafood Fund (UKSF) is being used to reform and modernise infrastructure, encourage new entrants to the industry and ensure the best science research and technology is used in fisheries management. One of the key objectives of the Fund is to enable an environmentally sustainable fishing industry that gives most value for money and reflects the long-term needs of the sector.

In addition to the UKSF, HM Government delivers an annual investment of £32.7 million to support the fishing and seafood sectors and protect the marine environment. Funding is divided between each of the four fishing administrations and is designed to deliver grant funding schemes, support evidence gathering and protect our waters. The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme invests at least £6 million annually to help support the long-term sustainability, resilience, and prosperity of the seafood sector in England. Funding across the UK has been secured every year until April 2025, providing long term investment to the sector.