Gove: We’ll take back control of our seas
THE UK will “take back control” of its seas, Michael Gove insisted yesterday as the Government prepared to publish their Brexit plans for the fishing sector today.
The fisheries white paper will outline how the UK will take charge of its waters and regain the ability to set fishing quotas.
Environment Secretary Gove said: “Leaving the EU BY TORCUIL CRICHTON creates a sea of opportunity for our fishing industry in Scotland.
“Outside the common fisheries policy, we can take back control of our waters and revitalise our coastal communities.
“We will be able to put in place our own systems, becoming a world leader in managing our resources while protecting the marine environment.”
The UK will negotiate access to its waters as an independent coastal state once the Brexit transition period ends in 2020.
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation welcomed the forthcoming white paper but urged Gove to resist any attempt to link access to fishing waters to access to EU markets.
Scottish Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing said the UK Government had failed to engage with him over the plans.
Ewing said: “This near lack of formal engagement presents a significant risk to the current devolved settlements and is totally unacceptable.”