New measures for the UK's fishing industry

Securing the Benefits responds to recommendations made in the Net

Benefits report published last year by the Prime Minister's Strategy

Unit. The Prime Minister commissioned Net Benefits after the state of

cod stocks led to the introduction in 2003 of limitations on the time

fishing vessels could spend at sea, and in turn to significant

decommissioning of UK boats.

Securing the Benefits has been developed by the four fisheries

administrations of the UK. It sets out a range of measures to

secure a sustainable future for the fishing industry including:

* on the Common Fisheries Policy, seeking simpler rules and stronger

focus on regional management, and helping members of Regional

Advisory Councils to maximise their contribution to the Councils'

work;

* making more use of fishermen's information in the assessment of

fish stocks;

* developing on a regional basis a shared understanding with the

fishing industry of what is needed to enable the different parts of

the fleet to be profitable, considering where relevant the need for

further selective decommissioning;

* improving arrangements for quota management in the UK, for example

to provide greater clarity about the ownership of quota. This

should help businesses plan for the future;

* using grants to help the fishing industry apply to the Marine

Stewardship Council or other organisations for certification that

particular fisheries are sustainable.

Comments

The Prime Minister said:

"I welcome this response. I am grateful to all those who gave their time to work out the next steps in the development of a modern and sustainable fishing industry. We can give a lead to this process during our Presidency of the EU, focussing on simplifying EU rules and strengthening the regional focus of the management of fish stocks."

Marine & Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw said:

"Securing the Benefits sets out how we intend to achieve a,

profitable fishing industry while protecting the wider marine

environment. It has been developed in close partnership with the fishing industry and other interested groups. We will maintain that partnership as we deliver the actions we have mapped out.

Mr Finnie, Scottish Fisheries Minister said:

"The fishing industry is of particular importance in Scotland. The measures we are taking forward together with UK partners will make a real contribution to securing its future. I am also setting out a number of additional measures which Scottish Ministers will be taking together with our industry and others to ensure that Scotland's Sea

Fisheries are sustainable, profitable and well managed".

The Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside Carwyn Jones said

"Fisheries in Wales are an important part of the rural economy. The Net Benefits exercise gave the Welsh Assembly Government the opportunity to work more closely with the Welsh industry and this partnership will now be taken forward in the production of a Welsh

Fisheries Strategy."

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland has also published a response on Inshore Fisheries Reform in Northern Ireland. Lord Rooker, Minister for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland, said:

"My administration looks forward to working closely with the other UK Fisheries Departments and stakeholders to deliver the actions and strategies outlined in the response.

My Department also recognises the importance of inshore fisheries and, in Northern Ireland, we shall undertake a full review of inshore fisheries management commencing Autumn 2005 and, following the

review, will establish a standing inshore stakeholder advisory group to advise on development and management issues related to the inshore sector"