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 has taken to (a) protect fishing populations and (b) support fishing communities.

We are committed to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the UK fleet. Our aim is to ensure that catch limits are set sustainably, consistent with the best available scientific advice, and rebuild stocks for the long term whilst also maintaining a viable and profitable fishing industry. Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) will help deliver this ambition for sustainable fisheries - they are evidence-based plans that set out short, medium and long-term actions to restore or maintain stocks to sustainable levels.

We are also supporting fishing communities through the £360 million Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund which we announced in May. Over the next twelve years this funding will support the next generation of fishermen and breathe new life into our coastal communities.