What should a long-term strategic plan for UK fisheries look like, and what could it mean for our fishing communities, and our nations? Steered by former Fisheries Minister Daniel Zeichner MP and the Group’s Chairs, these are the questions the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries seeks to answer as it sets about development of a National Fisheries Action Plan and delivery of an urgently needed roadmap for UK fishing and seafood.
Making a clear case for development of a coherent, cross-departmental strategy for the sector, the high level co-created plan will map the UK’s fishing and seafood industry and its value, and outline key priority areas for action in support of a vibrant, diverse industry. As part of this, the plan will set out recommendations to address key challenges currently facing the sector.
Acting as Independent Chair, former Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs and former Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner MP has been appointed by the cross-party Group of MPs and Peers to lead the APPG’s action plan. He will work alongside APPG Chairs Melanie Onn, MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes and Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael to steer delivery of the ambitious framework for the sector.
Sector insights
APPG Chair, Melanie Onn MP said, “Fishing and seafood is a sector which is vital around our coasts and has much to offer our communities. Over the past twelve months, however, the APPG on Fisheries has heard of a range of challenges threatening fishing’s viability. The common thread across each is the gap left by the absence of a holistic strategy for the industry. Drawing on insights from the sector, the APPG is developing an action plan that will set out the need for a Government-led National Fisheries Strategy, and offer a co-designed framework to support its development. We are delighted to welcome Daniel Zeichner to the process, who will build on previous engagement with the APPG to work with us to deliver this much-needed sector plan for fishing and seafood, that can add to the initiatives already underway within Government to support the UK’s fishing industry.”
APPG Chair, Alistair Carmichael MP added, “Over the past years the context in which the UK’s fleets and seafood businesses are operating has changed dramatically. Fisheries today are faced with numerous challenges from spatial squeeze, new marine protection proposals, questions relating to investment, access and training for workers across the sector, safety issues, exacerbated by concerns surrounding cuts to critical stocks, ongoing trade challenges and negotiations over quota and access. Adding to this, responsibility for issues relating to the sector sits across multiple departments and agencies. If this sector – so important to coastal and island communities right around our country – is to succeed, it needs a clear strategy. This is why the APPG is developing this action plan.”
The Value of Fishing and Seafood
Though the UK has made inroads in recent years on the development of ambitious plans for the management of UK fisheries, a plan for fishing more broadly – as an economic food production sector, has remained absent, despite calls from experts and in contrast with other economic sectors. Vital to many coastal and regional economies, and producing low carbon, nutritious food and a highly valuable commodity, the sector also has much to offer in terms of meeting climate change and biodiversity targets, and contributing to the nation’s food security.
Independent Chair, Daniel Zeichner MP said, “Fishing holds great potential in terms of our food system, health, economy, commitments on nature, and security as an island nation. But there are urgent challenges facing the sector. I have witnessed these on quaysides around our coasts. Over the coming months we will be seeking evidence from fishermen and women, processors, retailers, communities and other fisheries stakeholders to address these challenges and ensure we can develop a whole-sector plan that can meaningfully contribute to a strategy for the sector’s future. This is a much-needed initiative, which I am delighted to be a part of.”
Long term goals
With support from The Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust, publication of the National Fisheries Action Plan is anticipated in summer 2026. Its delivery will be overseen by a dedicated Review Board, with insights also from the APPG’s Expert Panel – both of which comprise cross-sectoral representation from across each of the UK’s nations. The Review Board will hold its first meeting next month. In line with the work of the APPG more broadly, the action plan will cover UK fisheries as a whole in a manner attuned to questions of devolution, and the realities of various national and regional fisheries.
Andrew Wallace, Fisheries Director at The Fishmongers’ Company said, “We are thrilled to see this work by the APPG on Fisheries progress. This is an exciting new endeavour for the Group, a very worthwhile pursuit, and we are proud to facilitate this via our support to the Secretariat. Alongside economic potential, the true value of fishing and seafood extends far beyond this to encompass culture, heritage, place and identity. The sector also holds great promise in terms of food provision, health and sustainability. This action plan by the APPG will offer much that can contribute to a long term vision for our fisheries, while also supporting our environmental and societal goals.”
Mike Cohen, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) said, “We have been calling for a national strategy for fishing for quite some time. In the last twelve months, that need has become even more pressing. We need a plan that recognises the value of our sector as a food producing economic industry; safeguards our space at sea; protects our grounds; promotes sustainability; supports livelihoods; champions our sector; and allows us to deliver our full national benefit. We commend the APPG for driving this forward by developing an action plan for the sector, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to support this process and collaborate further with the Group as a member of the Review Board.”
Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) said, “Development of this action plan by the APPG is coming at a crucial time for the industry. Our primary producers, and consequently our ability to produce renewable, healthy food from our seas, are under threat as never before. The rich waters around our coasts and islands are the envy of many, but without support and a strategic direction for the sector across each of the UK’s nations, we will fail to deliver long term benefits for food security, public health and the economy. I look forward to our continued engagement with the APPG, and to working with the Chairs and others on the Board on development of an action plan that recognises and respects the key role that the devolved administrations have in fisheries matters.”
George Clark, UK & Ireland Programme Director at the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) said, “Right across the UK fishing and seafood supply chain, businesses from the catching sector through to processing and retail, are working hard to provide high-quality, nutritious and sustainable seafood to consumers both here and abroad. As a crucial component of our food system, and with lots of potential to play a more central role in the UK’s food security, health and sustainability agenda, an action plan for UK fishing and seafood that makes these connections is a timely and much needed opportunity. I really welcome this initiative from the APPG on Fisheries, and look forward to providing insights to the process as a Review Board member.”
The Review Board members are:
Daniel Zeichner MP (Independent Chair)
Alistair Carmichael MP (APPG Chair)
Melanie Onn MP (APPG Chair)
Aoife Martin (Independent consultant, formerly Seafish Operations Director)
Elaine Whyte (Clyde Fishermen’s Association)
Elspeth Macdonald (Scottish Fishermen’s Federation)
George Clark (Marine Stewardship Council)
Harry Owen (Western Fish Producers’ Organisation)
Jeremy Percy (Former New Under Tens Fishermen’s Association (NUTFA), Low Impact Fishers Europe)
Dr Magnus Johnson (Fisheries Research Yorkshire)
Mike Cohen (National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations)
Phil Haslam (North Atlantic Holdings)
Sally Chamberlain (Seafish)
Dr Sarah Coulthard (Newcastle University)
Tom Pickerell (World Resources Institute)
Secretariat:
Lia ní Aodha (Mindfully Wired)
Charlotte Browne (Mindfully Wired)
Georgia Penrose (Mindfully Wired)