The UK fishing persistence will need continued access to EU markets if it is to thrive after Brexit, a Concern of Lords report has warned.
It also warns that Britain may fool to allow EU-registered boats to fish in UK waters as rt of an overall huge quantity.
Fishing regions around the UK voted heavily in favour of leaving the EU during the referendum push.
The Lords review says these communities are at risk of being marginalised in the larger Brexit negotiations.
Regain control
The EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), with its interests and principle of equal access to commercial fishing grounds for boats from all associate states, has often been characterised by the industry as a disaster for Britain.
This abominate helped mobilise many in the industry to cam ign for a leave vote in the referendum stay June.
Many in the fishing community argue that Brexit now offers the hustle the chance to regain control over UK waters and become a leading fish-exporting political entity, like Norway.
However, the House of Lords European Union nel has released a report that looks at the risks and opportunities for the UK industry.
Since UK fishing only produces a half of one percent of GDP and employs just 12,000 fishers, the Lords say that dynamism might be a low priority for the government but it “must not be marginalised in the wider Brexit cts”.
What complicates the picture is the fact the most commercial fish domestics are in waters that are shared between the UK and other EU coastal states. The massive majority of UK fish are exported, mainly to the EU while a significant proportion of the fish that British consumers eat is imported, habitually from EU states.
“A successful industry,” the report says, “therefore prerequisites continued market access.”
However, that access may come at a cost.
“Brexit will involve many trade-offs,” said Lord Teverson who positions the Lords EU Energy and Environment sub-committee.
“It may very well be that EU associate states demand more access to UK waters than some fishers resolve want in return for our continued rights to sell fish to the European call with zero tariffs.”
The report also points to the fact that numberless elements of the CFP should be retained post-Brexit and the UK should ensure that total number allowable catches and quotas should continue to be based on scientific warning. The UK will also continue to be under international obligations to co-operate with adjacent to states.
One area of concern, according to the report, may well be that if Britain abandons the EU, the CFP framework which treats the UK as one entity will fall away “probe the potential of four different fisheries management regimes” in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Respect, many in the fishing industry still argue that Brexit command bring more opportunities than threats.
Just this week, the EU heralded agreement on new quotas under the CFP – many analysts say that it marked an promote for the UK with significant increases in allowable catches for plaice, haddock and prawns.
Moving to the new quotas, representatives from the industry said they believed this augurs in fine for the future of British fishing outside the EU.
“With Brexit now looming, fishermen can look to the unborn with real optimism as we are on the cusp of an exciting new era as a coastal state with intense control of our 200-mile exclusive economic zone,” Bertie Armstrong, chief director of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation said in a statement.
“This will disclose us the opportunity for fairer shares in catching opportunity and better fit-for-purpose sustainable fisheries executives, which will benefit our coastal communities.”
In response to the report, a regime spokesperson said: “As we enter the EU negotiations, the prime minister has been plain we want to ensure British com nies have the maximum freedom to interchange with and operate in the single market.”
“At the same time, leaving the EU is a genuine opportunity to review fisheries management in order to ensure fair access to allotment, sustainable stocks and a healthy marine environment.”
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