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Welcome to the APPG on Fisheries stakeholder newsletter. Through regular updates, we aim to keep you informed of policy developments, Parliamentary announcements and sector headlines. We also provide round-ups of current Committee inquiries and fisheries-focused monitoring of the Parliamentary record, Hansard.

Contents
Use the links below to rapidly navigate around the newsletter.

Parliament News | Fisheries News | Hansard Monitoring | Committees

Parliament News

New Funding Announced for Fisheries in England

A £15.4 million funding boost for the English fishing industry will be administered by the Marine Maritime Organisation. The new £14.7m Maritime and Fisheries Fund aims to support coastal communities by providing funding across the seafood supply chain, ensuring the industry continues to thrive after Brexit. The remaining £700k is for lifesaving safety measures.

Defra Publishes Summary of Consultation Responses: UK Marine Strategy

Defra has published the summary of responses submitted to its recent consultation on the UK Marine Strategy. It has also published the Government’s response to the consultation. The consultation sought views on how the UK Marine Strategy would achieve or maintain Good Environmental Status (GES) across UK waters.

Fisheries Agreement Signed Between UK and Faroe Islands

The UK and the Faroe Islands have signed a fisheries agreement that ensures UK vessels can continue to access Faroese fishing waters after Brexit. Much like the UK-Norway agreement signed in September 2019, this agreement honours existing UK-Faroes arrangements.

Track the Progress of the Fisheries Bill

The Fisheries Bill should be resuming its progress through the House of Commons, picking up at the report stage. However, an impending General Election will again dissolve all active legislation - so it's possible the Fisheries Bill will 'fall' again. To get up to speed on the content of the Bill you can read our digest of the Bill here, on the APPG blog.

Fisheries News

A round-up of the latest UK-relevant fishing news from a variety of sources.

Government Response to the House of Lords Report on the EU Landing Obligation
The Government has released its response to the House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee report, which reviews implementation of the EU Landing Obligation in UK fisheries.

Total Allowable Catches for EU Stocks Released for 2020
The EU Commission has released its proposal for fishing opportunities in 2020. 32 stocks will see their total #quotas increase or remain the same, whilst 40 stocks will see their quotas reduced.

Cross-Nation Deal Reached on Northeast Atlantic Stocks
The EU has reached a deal with other stakeholder nations on Atlantic pelagic stocks, including mackerel. Following ICES advice, Total Allowable Catch for mackerel will increase by 41% for 2020.

New Tool Provides Global Overview of Sustainable Seafood Production
The newly available Sustainable Seafood Data Tool, released by the Certification and Ratings Collaboration, can give performance snapshots of sustainable seafood for specific regions or sectors around the world, based on certification data.

East Anglia Develops Strategy to Reinvigorate Fishing Industry After Brexit
The Renaissance of the East Anglia Fisheries group has set out the UK’s first regional, post-Brexit fishing strategy at Westminster. Recommendations include boosting fleet numbers, disbanding the quota pool system, and investment in a regional fishing port.

Marine Stewardship Council to Double Funding to the Ocean Stewardship Fund
The MSC’s Ocean Stewardship Fund will now be valued at almost £2 million per year. The fund seeks applications for research and work into sustainable fishing around the world.

Norwegian Seafood Council Says Norwegian Cod Remains Sustainable Choice
The Norwegian Seafood Council has urged UK consumers to be aware of the provenance of their purchases, in light of the dramatic declines in North Sea cod stocks.

Hansard Monitoring

Hansard is the official record of debates, votes and ministerial statements in Parliament. Our newsletters gather together any debates or questions concerning fisheries that have recently taken place.

Debate during second reading of the Environment Bill, including fisheries policy

Discussion of petition related to 'restoring nature and climate change', including fish stocks and environment

Question on increased patrolling of UK waters

Discussion on plastic food and drink packaging, including reference to UK ocean environment and fish

Question regarding checks on goods in Northern Ireland after Brexit, including landing tariffs on fishing vessels

Question regarding export health certificates under a no-deal Brexit, including the relevance for exporting fish products

Debate on the European Union Withdrawal Agreement Bill, including references to fisheries policy

Question regarding plans for enforcement in UK fishing waters, in the event of a no-deal Brexit

Discussions about preparations for leaving the European Union, including access for UK fishers and export of UK seafood products

Mention of fisheries during a motion to take note during the Brexit debate

Debate on the European Union Withdrawal Acts, including discussion of fisheries policies

Debate following Prime Minister's statement, including discussion of fisheries policies and access to fisheries following Brexit

Committees

UK Parliamentary Committees consist of a small number of MPs and/or Peers appointed to deal with particular issues. There are several Committee inquiries and reports relevant to the fisheries industry.

UK Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals Inquiry
In July, the International Development Committee published its latest Report of Session on the UK's progress on Sustainable Development Goals: The Voluntary National Review. The government responded in September.

Scrutiny of the Fisheries Bill Inquiry
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee examined the proposed scope, provisions and powers in the Fisheries Bill (which is currently progressing through Parliament). Their report is available and is awaiting government response.

Sustainable Seas Inquiry
The Environmental Audit Committee launched an inquiry examining how to protect marine life and how the government can create a more sustainable blue economy. Their report is available and has received government response.

EU Landing Obligation Inquiry
The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee's inquiry concluded that the UK is 'unprepared for new fisheries conservation rules.' The government responded to that report and the Sub-Committee's follow-up report was published in July. The government released an additional response in October.

No-Deal Preparations: Energy and Environment
The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee is examining the UK’s preparation for a no-deal Brexit, including consideration of potential impact on fishing rights. Oral evidence gathering has concluded and ministerial correspondence is ongoing.

Trade in Seafood: Exports in a No-Deal Scenario

The International Trade Committee examined the possible impact of a no-deal Brexit on UK seafood exports, in a one-off session on Tuesday, 8 October 2019. Oral evidence was submitted to the committee at the hearing, and while the inquiry remains open, no additional hearings have been scheduled.

For more information, contact the APPG on Fisheries Secretariat

Katrina Ryan, Sara Mynott, Jacob Ashton and Rebecca Kaye
secretariat@fisheriesappg.org

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