Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Annual Fisheries Negotiations with EU and North Atlantic States

20 December 2022 · 9 other contributors

Opened by Mark Spencer Con Sherwood

BrexitAgriculture & Rural Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Mark Spencer raised concerns about annual fisheries negotiations with eu and north atlantic states in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • UK has secured deals with EU and Norway for 2023
  • Fishing opportunities worth over 750 million for UK fleet
  • Nine more catch levels aligned with scientific advice for sustainability

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Mark Spencer

The UK has secured vital deals with coastal state neighbours, including the European Union and Norway, for 2023. These deals have secured more than £750 million-worth of fishing opportunities for the UK fleet in 2023, £34 million more than last year. The negotiations prioritised sustainability by aligning nine more catch levels with scientific advice compared to the previous year, ensuring sustainable fishing practices for future generations. Agreements were reached on total allowable catches (TACs) for 69 stocks and arrangements for non-quota stocks in the UK-EU bilateral forum, securing opportunities worth around £282 million and access arrangements for albacore tuna and spurdog. In the trilateral arrangement with Norway, significant increases for North sea whitefish quotas were secured at levels recommended by scientists or below, adding over £313 million to the industry's revenue. The UK also reached deals on mackerel, blue whiting, and Atlanto-Scandian herring in the north-east Atlantic, aligning with scientific advice and worth over £250 million for 2023.

Other contributors (9)
  • Peter Aldous Con Waveney

    Question

    The MP highlighted the £750 million deal secured by the UK for 2023 and questioned why negotiations were delayed, requesting more transparency on negotiating positions. He also inquired about preparatory work carried out to secure better outcomes as an independent coastal state and monitoring after each annual negotiation.

    Minister reply

    The minister explained that setting false deadlines does not guarantee a good deal for the UK and thus there was no rush to meet a specific deadline. He also stated that he is not prepared to share negotiating positions in public, arguing it would undermine the process of securing favourable deals.

  • Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge

    Question

    I congratulate the hon. Member for Waveney on securing the urgent question and express frustration that it took an urgent question to hear about the negotiations. I remind the Minister of the continuing anguish caused by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency towards inland fleets, and ask about the status of the Faroe talks, efforts made to keep Russia’s fleet out of their waters, details of sand eels fishing ban in UK waters, the environmental impact of recent deals, the role of devolved Governments in fisheries management, and the impact on English North sea fishing ports. I also question why the English distant fleet has fared so badly.

    Minister reply

    We tabled a written statement as soon as we signed the deal this morning. We are working with the Faroe Islands to address challenges such as Russian fleet access once their Fisheries Minister is appointed. Regarding sand eels, details will be provided in writing. We work closely with devolved Administrations and strive for balance across UK regions. The English distant fleet's situation has been a priority.

  • Peter Grant

    Question

    Surprised to hear the Minister could not make a statement before today, despite an earlier Government website announcement. Welcomes agreement in North sea but calls for improved market access to EU for Scotland’s fishing industry and asks about Brexit's impact on UK fishing communities. Questions the significant increase in blue whiting quota.

    Minister reply

    The deal is better than what we would have negotiated within the EU. We are working with European colleagues to secure better market access. The 30,000 tonnes of fish secured is a significant amount. Scotland benefits from increased cod, whiting, saithe in North sea, megrims and anglerfish in Irish Sea among others.

  • Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre

    Question

    What assessment has the Minister made of how much of this increased quota will be landed in English ports to bring jobs and economic opportunities to coastal communities such as Fleetwood?

    Minister reply

    We need to support UK fish processing in UK ports. We continue working with Home Office for staff access and plentiful employment. Support is provided to ports like Fleetwood.

  • Luke Pollard Lab Co-op Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

    Question

    Places on record thanks to the crew of Arcturus for their rescue efforts in the channel. Asks if it's time to ban foreign-owned super-trawlers from fishing in marine protected areas, ensuring they land all catch in UK ports.

    Minister reply

    Pays tribute to the brave actions of Arcturus crew. Discusses support for small boats and challenges for north-east shipping fleet.

  • Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife

    Question

    Congratulates hon. Member for Waveney on securing the urgent question. Asks about steps taken to ensure robust data on monkfish stocks, which was a critical part of UK-EU deal.

    Minister reply

    Discussed with Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and Marine Management Organisation to obtain accurate data on monkfish. Secured more anglerfish and monkfish quota during negotiations with Norwegians.

  • Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

    Question

    A merry Christmas to you, Mr Speaker. Many constituents in Newcastle enjoy fresh fish landed locally from the North Sea; can the Minister confirm if more fish will be landed in English ports due to this deal? Additionally, will there be an increase in local fish being landed locally in North Sea ports as a result?

    Minister reply

    Many decisions about where to land fish are made by individual skippers. However, securing more quota and tonnage is hoped to encourage boats to land within our ports. The Government will support the processing industry and markets to ensure this happens.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Panic was setting in there, Mr Speaker. Thanking the Minister for his previous answers on fisheries issues in Strangford and Portavogie; will he provide assurance that necessary parliamentary time will be given to ensure the urgent passage of a statutory instrument removing spurdog from prohibited species, allowing British fishermen to take advantage of potential 2023 fishing opportunities?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Gentleman is well-informed. A new quota for spurdog requires a statutory instrument; it must be processed rapidly. While the Minister cannot commit on behalf of the Leader of the House, the Department will work hard to ensure the SI is ready and business managers will be pressed to expedite its passage through the House.

Shadow Comment

Peter Aldous

The shadow minister highlighted concerns about the impact of Brexit on the fishing industry and questioned the delays in concluding negotiations. He emphasised that East Anglian fishermen will see limited immediate benefit but stressed the importance of improved management and increased access for local fishermen moving forward. Aldous requested more details on preparatory work, monitoring after negotiations, reasons behind the delay, transparency in UK positions during negotiations, and a progress report on government plans to enhance fisheries management.

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