Industry is concerned the UK’s new fisheries strategy fails to factor in its biggest challenge – spacial squeezing

Published by UK government towards the end of last year, the post-Brexit Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) is supposed to bring improved social, economic, and environmental benefits to the country’s seafood industry as an independent coastal state. But for many stakeholders, the strategy doesn’t go far enough in its support of industry, particularly in safeguarding access to fishing grounds.

Setting out high-level rules on how to deliver key fisheries objectives in the Fisheries Act 2020 and how to manage fisheries while restoring the marine environment, the JFS forms a key part of a new Fisheries Framework. It contains positive elements, including recognising the importance of the UK’s fishing, aquaculture and processing sectors and working with supply chains on key issues like access to labour.