Landmark fisheries law hailed as ‘ start of new era’

CONSERVATIONISTS HAVE hailed the UK’s landmark postBrexit fisheries legislation becoming law as the “start of a new era of fishery management in the UK”.

The Fisheries Act, the first legislation of its kind in nearly 40 years, came into force yesterday.

The Marine Conservation Society said the Act had some good objectives, but expressed disappointment that the Government had removed key amendments, while making promises on sustainability.

Head of fisheries Sam Stone said rolling out remote electronic monitoring with cameras on larger vessels should be top of the agenda “if future policy is to be as well informed as possible”.

He said the Fisheries Act was a “genuine opportunity to create fisheries that deliver for coastal communities and for the environment” but it means moving away from “business- as- usual”.

He said: “The UK and devolved governments now have the powers to move forward with progressive new management in their waters. That means proper incentives for low impact fishing, proper monitoring of catches and proper commitments to sustainable fishing.

“In the short term, the four nations must work together to make impactful changes, starting by addressing the UK’s most at risk fish stocks. Recovery plans are needed for our depleted stocks, including new catch limits, selectivity and avoidance measures, protection of vital habitats and fully documented catches.”

Bridlington- based fisheries consultant Andy Wheeler said the way forward was more local management “because one size doesn’t fit all”. One example was that a lot of local shellfishermen, including the smaller businesses, were in favour of limiting the number of pots that are fished.

He said: “We are not big Russian super trawlers in this country. People realise they have to have a future for their businesses. If you fish everything out there is no future.”