The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries is calling for evidence from individuals and organisations with a stake in the future of the UK fishing industry. This evidence will support the development of the Action Plan for the sector that is being prepared by the APPG.
Background:
Launched in November in response to industry calls for a long-term sector strategy, the APPG on Fisheries is developing an Action Plan for the UK fishing industry. Providing a roadmap to support the sector’s future, the Plan will make the case for a Government-led sector strategy, outline priority areas for action, and set out recommendations to address key challenges currently facing the industry.
With this work, the APPG aims to offer a framework for a forward-looking UK fishing industry that is geographically diverse; supports good jobs, resilient communities and thriving regional economies; provides climate-smart, nutritious seafood; strengthens national food security and public health; and safeguards fish stocks and healthy marine ecosystems.
The Action Plan is being delivered under the guidance of Daniel Zeichner MP, Independent Chair and former Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, alongside APPG Chairs Melanie Onn MP (Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes) and Alistair Carmichael MP (Orkney and Shetland).
The Terms of Reference for the Action Plan can be found here.
A Terms of Reference for the broader inquiry underpinning this work can be found here.
Why are we collecting evidence:
As part of this process, the APPG on Fisheries is now launching a Call for Evidence from stakeholders. Evidence submitted will help improve understanding of sector needs and inform the development of the Action Plan and the priority measures it sets out.
Topics for input:
We are inviting submissions on four key action areas, developed alongside the Action Plan’s Review Board and the APPG’s Expert Panel, covering management, infrastructure, workforce, supply chains and domestic consumption. We are also seeking views on enabling factors, including public perception of the industry, policy, knowledge, and investment.
Submissions may include written responses or documentary evidence from other relevant initiatives (further details and questions are outlined below).
Who can respond:
We welcome submissions from anyone with a stake in the industry, including fishermen and women, vessel owners, representatives, communities, upstream ancillary services such as boat builders, gear manufacturers, and suppliers, downstream sectors such as processors, retailers, logistics and distribution, as well as scientists, academics, managers, NGOs, policy experts, decision makers, devolved administrations, regulators and wider interested stakeholders.
Instructions:
Respondents may answer any or all questions that are relevant;
Evidence should be submitted in writing; supporting documents (i.e. reports, research articles etc.) are welcome also (further details below);
Alternative submission methods are welcomed and can be arranged by contacting the APPG Secretariat (contact details below);
Where possible, please provide examples from your own experience, case studies, or supporting evidence.
Questions for Respondents:
We want to hear your views on challenges, opportunities, support needed and priorities across the four key action areas and four enabling factors outlined below.
Please please structure your response, where possible, under the following headings:
Challenges i.e What are the main issues facing the sector in this area?
Opportunities i.e Are there opportunities for improvement or innovation in this area?
Support needed i.e What resources, changes, or other other support would help address these issues or harness these opportunities?
Priority actions i.e What actions are needed from Government, industry, or other stakeholders in this area?
Written submissions are invited on any or all of the areas outlined below. Where possible, please provide examples or evidence to support your views.
Sustainable Management and Access: What are the key challenges, opportunities, support needs, and priority actions relating to the management of UK fisheries? In your response, you may wish to consider factors such as environmental, social and economic sustainability, access to fishing opportunities, space at sea, and changing environmental conditions.
Fleet Modernisation, Infrastructure, and Technology: What are the key challenges, opportunities, support needs, and priority actions relating to fleet modernisation, fishing gear and onboard equipment, and supporting infrastructure such as ports, harbour, processing, and distribution? In your response, you may wish to consider factors such as the adoption of new technologies and meeting sustainability demands (e.g. net zero, discards, monitoring, animal welfare etc.).
Workforce and Labour: What are the key challenges, opportunities, support needs, and priority actions for the sector relating to the recruitment, retention, training and skills development? In your response you may wish to consider factors such as accessibility of the sector to new entrants, pathways for progression, working conditions, and worker wellbeing.
Supply Chains and Domestic Consumption: What are the key challenges, opportunities, support needs, and priority actions relating to seafood supply chains, market access, and domestic consumption? In your response, you may wish to consider factors such as value adding, supply chain transparency and sustainability, and markets for UK seafood at home and internationally.
Narrative and Social Licence: What are the key challenges, opportunities, support needs and priority actions relating to public perceptions of UK fisheries? In your response, you may wish to consider factors such as trust and engagement with the sector.
Policy and Governance: What are the key challenges, opportunities, support needs and priority actions relating to the UK fisheries policy and regulatory frameworks? In your response, you may wish to consider existing arrangements (e.g. across departments, or strategies) and representation of the sector in decision-making.
Science and Knowledge: What are the key challenges, opportunities, support needs and priority actions relating to science and knowledge for sustainable fisheries? In your response, you may wish to consider factors such as data, monitoring, and knowledge sharing.
Funding and Investment: What are the key challenges, opportunities, support needs and priority actions relating to funding and investment in the sector? In your response, you may wish to consider factors relating to public funding, private investment, and other financial support to support the sector’s long-term sustainability.
Additional Evidence: Are there other topics, challenges, opportunities, needs, or priorities not captured above that should be considered in the Action Plan?
You may also submit published or unpublished reports, case studies, or initiatives as supporting evidence (further details below)
Submission of Other Outputs:
In addition to the questions detailed above, the APPG is inviting evidence from published or unpublished outputs that:
Demonstrate the social, economic and environmental value/contribution of the UK fishing sector;
Relate to the action areas and enabling factors (outlined above);
Reflect the needs and perspectives of sector stakeholders (e.g. other action plans, visions, research, inquiries etc.).
Submission Details:
This Call for Evidence is being administered by the APPG’s Secretariat. This information will be collated and used as part of the development of the Action Plan. All responses will be anonymised.
Please send responses or queries to the APPG Secretariat at: secretariat@fisheriesappg.org
The deadline for submissions is 23:59, 20 May.
Please clearly state who the submission is from i.e. if you are submitting evidence in a personal capacity or on behalf of an organisation.
If you are submitting on behalf of an organisation – please state the name of the organisation and provide a brief description of the organisation.
If you are submitting as an individual, please provide details of your operations and/or the sector most relevant to you.
What will happen to my evidence?
Your evidence will only be used for the purposes of this Call for Evidence – to inform the Action Plan being developed by the APPG on Fisheries. All submissions that respond to the lines of inquiry set out above will be analysed and considered by the APPG.
Responses will be stored securely and anonymised, and will not be shared with third parties. Data will only be kept for as long as is deemed necessary for the need of the APPG’s work on the Action Plan.
Any personal data that is provided will be processed and stored in compliance with all applicable Data Protection laws in effect at this time, including but not limited to the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR.