The House of Lords European Union Committee has published a report outlining the risks and opportunities of Brexit for the UK fishing industry.
Post-Brexit, the UK will have the right to control who fishes within its exclusive economic zone. The report says that exiting the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is an opportunity to develop regulations that are tailored to the UK.
But the report also warns that in order to thrive, the UK must continue to co-ordinate the exploitation of shared stocks with the EU and access to the single market.
It also says that Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas should continue to be based on scientific advice and that the UK should not discard the positive elements of the CFP that successive governments have worked hard to achieve.
Lord Teverson, Chairman of the House of Lords EU Energy and the Environment Sub-Committee, said: "Many people in the UK fishing industry were vocal supporters of Brexit and there is a strong sense that it presents an opportunity for them to grow and develop the industry.”
"The UK fishing industry relies heavily on trade with the EU. Brexit will involve many trade-offs, and it may very well be that EU member states demand more access to UK waters than some fishers would want in return for our continued rights to sell fish to the European market with zero tariffs.”
The report concludes that the fishing industry and the coastal communities who rely on that industry should not be overlooked and must be fully consulted throughout the negotiations. It is the last of six reports published in six days this week as the Committee scrutinises Brexit ahead of the expected triggering of Article 50 in March 2017.
