Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fish Stocks

Thursday 23 February 2023 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Fisheries Act 2020 sets out the legal framework for managing fish stocks.
  • The Government meets regularly with the NFFO to discuss spatial prioritisation and other issues.
  • The Secretary of State is willing to travel to Teesside to meet with the fishing community if an event is set up.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sheryll Murray Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP raised concerns about fish stocks in UK waters and the impact of various pressures such as offshore wind and marine protected areas.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to protect fish stocks. The fishing industry across the UK has highlighted concerns about loss of fishing grounds due to an array of pressures, including offshore wind and marine protected areas. What assurances can the Government give that they will speak to the NFFO and ensure that fishing is an important factor?

Answer from Mark Spencer

Our landmark Fisheries Act 2020 sets out the legal framework for managing fish stocks. We welcome the NFFO's report and meet regularly to discuss spatial prioritisation, including concerns outlined in the report.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific assurances requested were not explicitly provided.

How: Welcoming The Report, Acknowledging Regular Meetings

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Q2 Sheryll Murray Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP hosted a launch of a report by the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations highlighting concerns about fishing grounds loss.

Question

What assurances can the Government give that they will speak to the NFFO and ensure that fishing is an important factor in spatial planning discussions?

Answer from Mark Spencer

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for her work on fisheries and welcome the NFFO's report highlighting the need for holistic spatial planning. I meet regularly with the NFFO to discuss a wide variety of issues, including spatial prioritisation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assurances about prioritising fishing in spatial planning were not given.

How: Paying Tribute, Welcoming The Report

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Q3 Alex Cunningham Lab
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

There have been ongoing deaths of marine life off the coast, raising concerns among the fishing and wider community.

Question

Will the Secretary of State and the Minister travel to Teesside to meet people from the fishing and wider community who are looking for answers about the ongoing deaths of crustaceans, fish and other sea life? If I set it up, will they come to explain what is causing this crisis?

Answer from Mark Spencer

I share the hon. Gentleman's desire to know the cause and the scientists have concluded it was likely a pathogen, but we may never know unless there is another event which I sincerely hope does not happen.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to travel to Teesside was not made.

How: Sharing The Desire For Knowledge, Referencing Scientific Conclusions

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