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Brexit vote was great relief for UK fishing industry, peers told Brexit vote was great relief for UK fishing industry, peers told
(35 minutes later)
Brexit is a big “prize” for the fishing industry and will enable it to become a world-leading seafood exporter like Norway, the House of Lords has been told.Brexit is a big “prize” for the fishing industry and will enable it to become a world-leading seafood exporter like Norway, the House of Lords has been told.
Withdrawal from the EU will enable Britain to regain control of its waters after decades of “common grazing” rights assigned to European neighbours, fishing leaders said. Withdrawal from the EU would enable Britain to regain control of its waters after decades of “common grazing” rights assigned to European neighbours, fishing leaders said.
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fisherman’s Federation, said the referendum result was fantastic news for his industry. It marked the first real opportunity since quotas were imposed in 1983 to return to “being a world leader in sustainable seafood”, he said.Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fisherman’s Federation, said the referendum result was fantastic news for his industry. It marked the first real opportunity since quotas were imposed in 1983 to return to “being a world leader in sustainable seafood”, he said.
Armstrong said the British fishing industry would like to emulate Norway, which is the world’s leading producer of salmon and the second largest seafood exporter in the world with annual sales of more than £7bn, compared to the UK’s £1bn. Armstrong said the British fishing industry would like to emulate Norway, which is the world’s leading producer of salmon and the second largest seafood exporter in the world with annual sales of more than £7bn, compared with the UK’s £1bn.
He told a special Brexit hearing of the Lords EU select committee that the fishing industry was not opposed to sharing British waters with French or other European partners, but it would be “on our terms”.He told a special Brexit hearing of the Lords EU select committee that the fishing industry was not opposed to sharing British waters with French or other European partners, but it would be “on our terms”.
Bryce Stewart, a marine ecologist and fisheries biologist, said Brexit could harm trading relations, although he said it was an opportunity to iron out problems in the much-criticised common fisheries policy.Bryce Stewart, a marine ecologist and fisheries biologist, said Brexit could harm trading relations, although he said it was an opportunity to iron out problems in the much-criticised common fisheries policy.
Most British fish ends up on foreign tables while British consumers remain fiercely loyal to varieties of fish not caught by Britons, such as cod.Most British fish ends up on foreign tables while British consumers remain fiercely loyal to varieties of fish not caught by Britons, such as cod.
Barry Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fisherman’s Organisations, said the fishing quota system has led to some “gross anomalies”, with the UK ending up with 9% of the cod catch in the Channel and the French 84%.Barry Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fisherman’s Organisations, said the fishing quota system has led to some “gross anomalies”, with the UK ending up with 9% of the cod catch in the Channel and the French 84%.
He said he had no interest in a return to the bitter cod wars between the UK and Iceland in the 1970s, but Brexit offered an opportunity to leave “something that is dysfunctional”.He said he had no interest in a return to the bitter cod wars between the UK and Iceland in the 1970s, but Brexit offered an opportunity to leave “something that is dysfunctional”.
He told the committee: “We see a number of important opportunities: the main one is an opportunity to move away from common fisheries policy, which hasn’t been covered in glory, in that it is a centralised, one size fits all, blanket measure.He told the committee: “We see a number of important opportunities: the main one is an opportunity to move away from common fisheries policy, which hasn’t been covered in glory, in that it is a centralised, one size fits all, blanket measure.
“There has been recognition by the commission [that fishing policy does not suit everyone] but over the years has tended to create unintended consequences and blind alleys. So it is with a great deal of relief within catching sector that we have an opportunity to move away from that and design something more tailored for our fleets.”“There has been recognition by the commission [that fishing policy does not suit everyone] but over the years has tended to create unintended consequences and blind alleys. So it is with a great deal of relief within catching sector that we have an opportunity to move away from that and design something more tailored for our fleets.”
According to Armstrong, the flaws in the EU fishing policy had their roots in the politics of joining the European Community in 1973. “Fishing was considered expendable and British waters were given to the EC as part of the accession negotiations. It was a deliberate act but an act of folly. Now we have the opportunity to right it,” he said.According to Armstrong, the flaws in the EU fishing policy had their roots in the politics of joining the European Community in 1973. “Fishing was considered expendable and British waters were given to the EC as part of the accession negotiations. It was a deliberate act but an act of folly. Now we have the opportunity to right it,” he said.
British waters make up a vast swath of European fishing territory outside the 12-mile exclusion zone along the coast of each member state. One argument for Brexit was that it would give the fishing sector sole control of the waters.British waters make up a vast swath of European fishing territory outside the 12-mile exclusion zone along the coast of each member state. One argument for Brexit was that it would give the fishing sector sole control of the waters.
However, neither fishing federation is seeking this, as fish – particularly mackerel, herring and cod – are highly mobile. Instead they want access arrangements to British waters controlled according to British needs. However, neither fishing federation is seeking this, as fish – particularly mackerel, herring and cod – are highly mobile. Instead, they want access arrangements to British waters controlled according to British needs.
The House of Lords EU select committee is gathering evidences on a wide range of issues to help it understand the complexity of Brexit negotiations.The House of Lords EU select committee is gathering evidences on a wide range of issues to help it understand the complexity of Brexit negotiations.