THE FISHERIES BILL

here’s the Angling trust’s handy guide to the basics of the proposed legislation

What does it all mean?

There’s only one specific mention of recreational fishing in the Fisheries Bill, which is in reference to it being able to receive funding for development and promotion. This could be a game changer for sea angling.

The financial assistance will replace the EU European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, which recreational fishing didn’t qualify for.

Other plans for recreational fishing don’t need to be included in the Bill and can be brought in as Statutory Instruments, or secondary legislation, at a later date. Some of the areas being considered include whether some fishing opportunities should be reserved for the recreational angling sector, how to further integrate recreational angling into fishery management governance and decisions, managing some stocks specifically for the recreational angling sector only, and looking at how the recreational sector could work in closer partnership with Government while making a greater financial contribution.

When will the Bill come into force? A ‘no deal’ Brexit would mean the Bill would come into effect in March next year when we leave the EU.

If there is a successful deal, the current transitional period (at the time of writing) would mean the Bill would take effect in 2021 when we leave the Common Fisheries Policy. However, the transitional deal could be extended, meaning the Bill could be delayed from coming into force until 2022, or perhaps even later.

What about sea angling licences? There is no specific mention of licensing for recreational fishing. Licensing only applies to boats in the Bill. While it states “Fishing anywhere by a British fishing boat is prohibited unless authorised by a licence.” It then goes on to say that this does not apply to “a boat used wholly for the purpose of conveying persons wishing to fish for pleasure”.

There is very little political appetite to suggest licensing members of the public sea fishing recreationally.

What happens next? The Bill goes for its second reading in the House of Commons where MPs ask questions and make statements and suggestions on how it could be amended. The Angling Trust has produced a briefing for all supportive MPs.

After that, the Bill gets scrutinised by a committee. Supportive MPs have been asked if they would be prepared to sit on the committee.

Will the Bill stop foreign fishing vessels fishing in UK waters? The Bill will give the UK exclusive rights for the UK to fish in UK waters. However, there is likely to be negotiated access for other EU vessels to fish in UK waters.

Will it stop overfishing? The Bill commits the UK to fishing sustainably and to a level called Maximum Sustainable Yield, which is what the Common Fisheries Policy and the UK are already working towards.

Unlike with the Common Fisheries Policy, the Angling Trust wants measures that prevent fishery managers and politicians setting fishing limits above the levels advised by scientists.

Until this happens there will always be a temptation for politicians to take short-term decisions that benefit the fishing industry and ultimately lead to overfishing.

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