Amid continued uncertainty in the UK, the European Commission has adopted two legislative proposals to help mitigate the impact of a no-deal Brexit on EU fisheries.
This is part of the EC’s ongoing preparedness and contingency work and will help ensure a coordinated EU-wide approach in such a scenario.
Firstly, it is proposed that fishermen and operators from EU member states receive compensation under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund for the temporary cessation of fishing activities. This will help off-set some of the impact of a sudden closure of UK waters in a no-deal scenario.
The second proposal amends the Regulation on the Sustainable Management of the External Fleets to ensure that the EU grants the UK access to EU waters until the end of 2019, on the condition that EU vessels are also granted reciprocal access to UK waters.
The amendment also provides a simplified procedure to authorise UK vessels to fish in EU waters and EU vessels to fish in UK waters – should the UK grant that access. This proposal is limited to 2019.
The EC stresses that these contingency measures cannot mitigate the overall impact of a no-deal scenario, nor do they replicate the full benefits of EU membership or the terms of any transition period, as specified in the withdrawal agreement.
These proposals are subject to the co-decision procedure and the EC will work with the European parliament and the council to ensure the acts are in force by 29 March 2019.
