Fishing Industry 2026-01-22

Fishing is vital to communities like Orkney and Shetland, where it makes up about one-third of the local economy. The industry needs better cooperation between UK and devolved governments, fair allocation of funds, and consideration for the spatial squeeze affecting traditional fishing grounds.

Warmer sea temperatures have led to unexpected octopus invasions in South Devon, decimating crab and lobster catches by up to 80%. Fishermen need support from the Government to adapt or decommission boats.

The allocation of the fishing and coastal growth fund shows how devolved administrations can fail fishermen, with Shetland receiving only 5% despite accounting for 20% of Scotland’s fishing product. There is a need for better cooperation between UK and Scottish governments.

Charter fishermen in Torbay are worried that the three-bag limit on pollack could devastate their industry, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of such regulations to avoid adverse impacts.

Suggests the marine spatial prioritisation programme will address spatial squeeze issues. Acknowledges lack of national fisheries strategy but hopes initiatives can still be effective.

Appreciates support for fishing communities from charities and safety courses, calling for safer vessels with personal locator beacons. Emphasises the importance of training pathways and funding for new entrants to maintain generational knowledge transfer. Supports a ring-fenced allocation for a Cornish pilot fishing strategy. Discusses challenges faced by sustainable fishermen regarding pollack quota.

Supports investment in new vessels to improve profitability and quality of life for crews, suggesting this would be more efficient than funding old vessels. Highlights the need for modernisation and better living quarters on fishing boats.

The hon. Member for Portsmouth North agrees that sustaining the UK's fishing industry requires training routes for young people in coastal communities to ensure a sustainable future.

In response, Anna Gelderd emphasises the importance of working with young fishermen to sustain the industry and secure its future. She also urges the Government to support small-scale owner-operator fishermen by introducing regional support officers or similar systems in concentrated fishing areas.

The hon. Member for St Ives emphasises the need for full consultation and engagement with the fishing industry before funding announcements, particularly regarding small projects that might not reach central management. He highlights the historical context of fishing practices and the importance of animal welfare in the supply chain.

The hon. Member for Great Grimsby emphasised the importance of continuing investment in modernisation, innovation, marketing, and workforce skills within the UK seafood industry. She praised the £360 million fishing and coastal growth fund aimed at boosting skills, business security, expansion, and promoting fishing as a career. Onn also discussed spatial squeeze issues between offshore wind energy and fisheries.

The hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway addressed the issue of red tape preventing Scottish seafood from reaching French markets efficiently, suggesting that these difficulties stem more from French protectionist policies rather than Brexit. He warned about the potential impact of renegotiating SPS agreements on future free trade deals such as the CPTPP.

Praised the resilience of the fishing industry in the Western Isles, highlighted successes and challenges such as the impact of proposed marine protected areas, recruitment issues, high fuel costs, and logistical barriers. Argued for more support from the Government to ensure sustainable management of fisheries.

Defended Scottish fishing communities, noting significant economic contributions from Fraserburgh and Peterhead ports. Criticised UK Government decisions such as the EU-UK agreement on fishing access and allocations from the fishing and coastal growth fund for Scotland.

Responded to Mr Logan's statement, questioning the expectations of the Scottish Government when they requested devolution. He emphasised that with devolution comes Barnettisation and asked if the SNP had previously suggested rebasing as seen now.

Agreed on several points but pointed out that past issues should not impact future cooperation. He noted that the fund will be available for a decade and encouraged working together through the fisheries APPG to ensure more of the fund goes to coastal communities, especially fragile inshore ones.

Praised the fishermen and women in his constituency for their work. He welcomed the fishing and coastal growth fund but was cautious about its allocation over 12 years, noting it may not cover major capital projects required by harbours like Bridlington. He discussed issues of spatial squeeze due to offshore wind farms and concerns over upcoming EU technical fisheries management rules that could impact UK fishermen negatively.

Expressed appreciation for the debate's set-up by Mr Logan. He mentioned issues faced by his Northern Ireland constituency, particularly focusing on the strong fishing community in Portavogie. Acknowledged the work of Dr Lynn Gilmore from the Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Organisation and hoped for a collaborative approach to address these concerns.

The fishing industry in Northern Ireland faces significant challenges including visa restrictions, loss of fishing grounds, and lack of local labour. The Northern Irish fishing sector supports 18 seafood processing operators generating £62 million and supporting 570 full-time jobs. There is a need for a bespoke visa for fishing crew post-2026 to protect British businesses while sourcing more domestic labour long-term.

The fishing industry in Newhaven, Sussex faces similar challenges including loss of local processing jobs and bureaucratic issues impacting charter boat fleet. The Government needs to support coastal infrastructure that supports both commercial vessels and charter boats to maintain a thriving coastal economy.

I congratulate my right hon Friend on securing this debate. The UK’s fishing industry contributes more than £1.4 billion annually, supports over 11,000 fishers but faces numerous challenges due to insufficient Government support post-Brexit. Despite a comprehensive agreement across trade and defence, the extension of EU boats' access to UK waters until 2038 is concerning. Poor communication regarding new gear marking and catch reporting has caused confusion in the industry. The sewage scandal affecting watercourses also impacts coastal communities economically. Tougher regulations must be delivered to prevent raw sewage spillages into our waterways.

The UK's fishing industry is crucial for food security and local economies. While praising contributions from Members across the House on various issues such as spatial squeeze, workforce concerns, and marine protection areas, Dr Hudson criticises the current Government's renegotiation of EU quotas and access, describing it as a 'sell-out'. He highlights that the Conservative-led government secured £970 million in fishing opportunities by 2024 with an uplifted quota worth £146 million. The opposition fears this deal will restrict fishing capabilities and industry representatives have described it as a 'horror show'.

The debate highlights the importance of balancing ecological standards with economic viability, addressing spatial squeeze caused by offshore wind projects, and promoting workforce development. The speaker also emphasises the need for improved mental health support for fishermen and women.

She supports the debate's focus on the fishing industry and its importance to coastal communities, cultural significance, and economic contributions. She highlights the need for collaboration with industry experts and measures to support workforce development.

The speaker acknowledges the cultural and social importance of fishing in coastal communities, highlighting challenges such as workforce ageing, financial instability, tough working conditions, and the need for mental health support.

The speaker raises issues related to recruitment difficulties and the need for entry into the industry. He calls for meetings with Northern Ireland representatives to find a better way forward.

The Minister discussed a range of issues related to the fishing industry, including negotiations on fishing opportunities for 2026, securing UK fishing quotas worth approximately £1.06 billion, rebuilding trust with fishing communities, securing decent jobs, restoring fish stocks, more opportunities for sea bass and other commercially viable fisheries, and working closely with the sector to improve scientific understanding of fish stocks. The Minister also addressed bilateral arrangements with Norway, aiming for a new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the EU by 2027 to reduce red tape for UK seafood exporters, supporting offshore wind development as part of achieving clean energy goals, and providing strategic steer to the Crown Estate on key risks associated with offshore wind development. The Minister emphasised the need for collaboration between the Government and the fishing industry.

Mr Carmichael acknowledged the contributions of various fishing organisations and highlighted the range of issues covered during the debate, including tax, quotas, spatial squeeze, humane killing methods for lobsters, and eel reintroduction. He expressed appreciation for the Minister’s engagement with the industry and encouraged her to view the list of asks from stakeholders as a positive indication of the sector's desire to develop and grow. Mr Carmichael concluded by thanking the Minister for allowing issues to be ventilated during the debate.