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Fisheries Management
13 July 2021
Lead MP
Alistair Carmichael
Orkney and Shetland
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Victoria Prentis
Tags
TaxationBrexitAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Word Count: 14778
Other Contributors: 11
At a Glance
Alistair Carmichael raised concerns about fisheries management in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Minister is asked to revisit how the compensation scheme has worked for exporters who faced significant losses due to gridlock at the start of the year. The need for access to skilled labor for processors should be addressed with the Home Office. Details on when in-year quota swaps will be operational are requested. The speaker urged the Government to address these issues urgently, including finding a proper solution for live bivalve molluscs export and ensuring fair treatment of small boat fleets. He called for a proper plan to support the fishing sector, robust scrutiny ahead of annual negotiations, and an apology from the Prime Minister for the poor deal given to fishers.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The fishing industry feels let down by the promises made during Brexit negotiations. Skippers report difficulties with small cod quotas, plans for further quota cuts, and concerns about uncontrolled foreign vessel fishing in UK waters. A significant gridlock was observed at the start of the year when exporters were unable to transport fish to European markets. Compensation schemes promised by the government have not adequately addressed these issues. Processors face labor shortages, impacting their profitability. There are also problems with in-year quota swaps and unequal treatment during sea boardings by fisheries enforcement officers. The speaker expressed deep concerns about the betrayal of fishing communities by the Government after Brexit. He highlighted issues such as the lack of promised fish quotas, difficulties faced by small boat fleets in accessing financial support during the pandemic, unnecessary digital bureaucracy imposed on fishermen, and the potential collapse of the shellfish industry due to failed export negotiations with the EU. He also mentioned the plight of the distant water fleet which he termed 'hugely betrayed'.
Angus MacNeil
SNP
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
I highlighted the impact of the Norwegian fishing deal on UK fisheries, emphasising the need for a trade remedy. The cost and bureaucracy in exporting fish to the EU have increased dramatically since Brexit, with export costs tripling from 32p per kilo to £1 per kilo due to additional paperwork requirements. I urged the Government to streamline these processes to reduce administrative burdens on fishing businesses.
Anthony Mangnall
Con
Brixham
Mangnall congratulated the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland on his speech, highlighted the importance of the fishing industry in Brixham, Salcombe and Dartmouth, and praised the efforts of Jim Portus and Juliette Hatchman. He emphasised the need for political will to support the industry's opportunities post-Brexit and mentioned the progress made by the Food Standards Agency regarding bivalve molluscs. Mangnall also expressed concerns about highly protected marine areas and advocated for collaboration between fishermen and regulators. He noted the importance of timely implementation of the £100 million fisheries and seafood scheme, and discussed the need for certainty in the future relationship with the EU after 2026. Highlighted the work of the National Coastwatch Institution, mentioning its thousands of volunteers and significant stations. Acknowledged visits to Brixham where he met people dedicated to the fishing industry, emphasizing their expertise in managing fisheries sustainably.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Fishermen in Argyll and Bute are struggling with falling prices, loss of markets, bureaucracy, labour shortages, and logistical problems due to Brexit. Jonathan MacAllister has seen his catch price fall by a third since 2019; Fiona McFarlane's company faces worker shortages, while Connie Macaskill's office is burdened with French customs and VAT regulations.
David Duguid
Con
Banff and Buchan
Paid tribute to the fishing industry for its resilience during difficult times, highlighting the importance of flexible and sustainable management.
Deidre Brock
SNP
Glasgow North West
Discussed the challenges faced by Scotland's fishing industry due to Brexit, including reduced market access and administrative burdens. Highlighted a £2 billion loss in EU sales and expressed frustration over lack of transparency from the Government.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Mr Jamie Stone discussed the challenges faced by local fishing businesses due to increased transportation costs and unfair inspection rates. He highlighted issues such as price hikes from hauliers, aggressive behaviour at sea among foreign boats, and proposed penalties for disruptive vessels, suggesting a roundtable meeting with industry representatives.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The MP expressed gratitude for the restoration of access to Ireland's inshore waters and called on the Minister to resolve issues with territorial seas around the island. He highlighted displacement of fishing effort due to the hard fisheries sea border and urged better communication between statutory authorities and the fishing industry. Shannon also requested adaptive management approaches and expressed concerns about offshore wind farms affecting fish spawning grounds.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Ms Saville-Roberts expressed concern over the disruption faced by UK fisheries post-Brexit, particularly in Wales. She highlighted the Welsh shellfish industry's struggles with losing access to main export markets and ongoing uncertainty regarding water classification impacts. The MP noted the lack of devolved control over territorial waters for Wales, questioning why this was allowed without consulting the Welsh Government. She also raised concerns about displacement risks due to marine conservation measures and wind farm expansion, advocating for Crown Estate devolution to support holistic fisheries management.
Neil Parish
Con
Tiverton and Honiton
The right hon. Gentleman spoke for 11 minutes and 30 seconds, exceeding the initial 12-minute limit agreed by the Chair. Mr Parish highlighted several issues within the fisheries sector, including difficulties accessing Norwegian waters for cod fishing, problems with class B waters for shellfisheries trade, limitations on international quota swaps impacting companies' flexibility in quota management, and underrepresentation of English viewpoints in fisheries discussions. He also advocated for increased capital allowances to encourage investment in new boats and gear. He asked how quickly the money could be provided to the shellfishing industry, as delays might result in many businesses going out of operation.
Peter Aldous
Con
Waveney
He highlighted the lack of transparency in recent fisheries negotiations and criticised the agreement not to enforce tonnage limits for non-quota species, which he argued would advantage EU fleets and damage the English inshore fleet. He also emphasised the need for sustainable management of fishing stocks, improved support for the inshore fleet, banning bottom-trawling in marine protected areas, managing the southern North Sea as a mixed species fishery, and using data to better manage conflicts between fishing and other marine activities.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
Ms Chamberlain expressed concern about the challenges faced by the fishing industry, including issues such as changes in consumer taste, overfishing, and the climate emergency. She highlighted the short-term impact of COVID-19 and Brexit on the industry. The Select Committee on Scottish Affairs sessions revealed a sense of disappointment and anxiety among industry representatives regarding how the Government handled the UK's departure from the EU.
Government Response
Victoria Prentis
Government Response
Praised the resilience of the fishing industry and acknowledged the challenges they faced during the pandemic. Highlighted the government's commitment to reforming fisheries management through new legislation, including the Fisheries Act 2020. Emphasized the implementation of quota allocation methods and in-year quota exchanges between administrations. Mentioned investments in control and enforcement, with a £32 million increase in resources over three years for fisheries protection. Addressed concerns about safety at sea and bullying behaviour towards UK vessels, stressing the importance of real-time reporting. Discussed funding measures including £100 million investment for modernizing and developing the seafood sector across infrastructure projects, science innovation, and training qualifications. Announced plans to secure new markets and promote domestic consumption.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.