Found: The Fisheries Act 2020 granted the MMO powers to create byelaws for marine conservation, including in

Found: The UK Fisheries Act balances environmental considerations with social and economic factors.

Found: This is a measure required by the Fisheries Act 2020, which states: When distributing catch

Found: Fisheries Act 2020 Royal Assent date: 23 November 2020 In planning the post legislative scrutiny

Found: fisheries negotiations and cap limits, fundamentally we are observing the requirements of the Fisheries Act

Found: fisheries negotiations and cap limits, fundamentally we are observing the requirements of the Fisheries Act

Found: Obviously, we operate within the legislation from the Fisheries Act from a few years ago and try to

Found: The Fisheries Act 2020 allows the UK to restrict where and how fishing takes place immediately via vessel

Found: For example, The Fisheries Act (2020) Section 3b is incompatible with UN SDG14.

Found: This is essential to meet the ecosystem objective of the Fisheries Act to minimise and where possible

Found: undertaking illegal fishing activities are not subsidised in this way - this is despite the UK Fisheries Act

Found: One of the (few) benefits of Brexit was that the Fisheries Act (2020) extended the MMO’s byelaw making

Found: The UK Fisheries Act includes a commitment to eliminate and minimise the impacts of bycatch, but the

Found: Fisheries Act 2020 s. 57 ‘“the marine and aquatic environment” includes … (b) features of archaeological

Found: take place.GME0045 - Ineffectual time bound targets within pieces of legislation such as the Fisheries Act

Found: of the MACA 2009 byelaw making powers (129A53) provided to the MMO through Schedule 10 of the Fisheries Act

Found: The Fisheries Act 2020 provides the framework to manage our fisheries as an independent coastal state

Found: The Fisheries Act says decisions about the sea should be made taking account of the needs of the environment

Found: The Fisheries Act says decisions about the sea should be made taking account of the needs of the environment

Found: In accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Fisheries Act 2020 (“the Act”), the consultation draft

Found: the Marine and Coastal Access Act, Merchant Shipping Acts, the Environment Act 2021, and the Fisheries act

Found: Section 25 of The Fisheries Act 2020 already offers a framework for more sustainable fishing by allocating

Found: Existing legislation appears to be ignored, with the WFD (UK) and Salmon Fisheries Act both including

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking through Fisheries Management Plans to help ensure the requirement under Article 6.3 of the Fisheries Act 2020 to restore fish populations to sustainable levels is met.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Fisheries Management Plans are evidence-based plans developed in accordance with the Fisheries Act 2020. They set out short, medium and long-term actions to restore or maintain fish stocks at sustainable levels and meet the requirements of Article 6.3.

To date, Defra has developed and published six FMPs which are available at www.gov.uk/government/collections/fisheries-management-plans#published-fmps which we are now beginning to implement. For example, last year we introduced legislation to better manage fly seine fishing in the English Channel, increased the minimum conservation reference sizes for brill, lemon sole, turbot and crawfish to protect the juveniles of these species.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-EU trade deal on the sustainability of the fisheries sector.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The deal announced on 19 May secures the continuation of current access arrangements and sees no changes in the level of EU vessel access to UK waters and no changes to the quota shares set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The UK also retains control over its waters to pursue its own sustainable fishing policies. There are areas where we’re going further and faster than the EU to protect marine life and support sustainable fisheries. That’s not changing.

We are committed to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the UK fleet and will continue to work closely with the fishing industry and coastal communities. In line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, we strive to improve the sustainability of our fisheries, and publish annual independent assessments of our progress.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department had discussions with the UK fisheries sector on negotiations with the EU for the UK-EU trade deal.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The deal announced on 19 May secures the continuation of current access arrangements and sees no changes in the level of EU vessel access to UK waters and no changes to the quota shares set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The UK also retains control over its waters to pursue its own sustainable fishing policies. There are areas where we’re going further and faster than the EU to protect marine life and support sustainable fisheries. That’s not changing.

We are committed to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the UK fleet and will continue to work closely with the fishing industry and coastal communities. In line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, we strive to improve the sustainability of our fisheries, and publish annual independent assessments of our progress.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures are in place to ensure that all catches are accurately recorded and accounted for in line with the bycatch objective under section 1(6)(b) of the Fisheries Act 2020; what assessment they have made of the adequacy of these measures in achieving this objective; and what plans they have to enhance monitoring of catches in the short term.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As fisheries control and enforcement is a devolved matter, each UK Fisheries Administration is responsible for ensuring catches from their waters are reported accurately. In English waters, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) monitors all catches from commercially licensed fishing vessels, for vessels over 10 metres, information is recorded in logbooks whilst English vessels under 10 metres record their catches using a purpose-built mobile app or website. All catch data is submitted to the MMO to provide an accurate picture of how much fish we are taking from our seas. To ensure catch details are accounted for correctly, the MMO regularly conduct inspections of fishing vessels based upon a risk-based intelligence led marine enforcement model.

Defra has been reviewing the operation of the landing obligation as part of wider reforms to discards management in England. In 2025, these reforms include trialling changes to how we account for catches. This work aims to help ensure that catches are recorded and accounted for and contribute to the achievement of the bycatch objective.

Found: the powers conferred by section 36(1)(b) and (c), (4)(a), (c) and (d) and (6)(a) and (c) of the Fisheries Act

We call on the UK Government to amend the Fisheries Act 2020 to recognize heritage rights for UK fishermen, ensuring their historical and cultural access to UK waters is protected as a national priority, drawing on global precedents like indigenous fishing rights.

Found: Amending the Fisheries Act 2020 would prioritize UK vessels, especially small-scale fleets, in UK waters

Found: • Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975. • Eels (England and Wales) Regulations 2009.

Found: Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 Created to protect particularly salmon and trout from commercial

Found: AoS Report – Appendices Vol. 1 76 Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 Created to protect

Found: • Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975. • Eels (England and Wales) Regulations 2009.

Found: approaches in key areas, including the Environment Act 2021, the Agriculture Act 2020 and the Fisheries Act

Found: IFCAs stated that they have also supported the implementation of the Fisheries Act 2020, sitting on

Found: are underpinned by the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009)104, Environment Act (2021)105, Fisheries Act

Found: Coastal Access Act (2009) UK’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution 38 (2021)105, Fisheries Act

Found: opportunities for British fishing boats Presented to Parliament pursuant to section 24(2) of the Fisheries Act

Found: The Secretary of State makes these determinations under section 23 of the Fisheries Act 2020.

Found: The Fisheries Act contains precautionary, ecosystem and sustainability objectives which align closely

Found: In January 2021 MMO received new powers (under schedule 9 of the UK Fisheries Act 2020) to make byelaws

Found: • In utilising powers introduced by the Fisheries Act 20202F2F 3, MMO must have regard for UK EU Trade

Found: This is also consistent with the precautionary objective in the Fisheries Act 2020 which states “the

Found: Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act

Found: evidence, social and economic and sustainable fisheries, contributing towards delivering the Fisheries Act

Found: The Secretary of State makes this determination under section 23 of the Fisheries Act 2020 (except

Found: SECRETARY OF STATE: 20 December 2023 19 ▪ Consent /Licence/ Permit under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act

Found: along with legislative and policy considerations such as the fisheries objectives outlined in the Fisheries Act

Found: This is in line with the Fisheries Act sustainability objective and Section 25 of the Fisheries Act which

Found: Contrary to section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975. 

Found: .—(1) Notwithstanding anything in the Salmon and Fresh- water Fisheries Act, 1923, but subject

Found: ........................................................ 33 4 Executive Summary The Fisheries Act

Found: End of Life Vehicles) • fisheries legislation (for example, under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act

Found: In distributing fishing opportunities, these rules are in compliance with section 25 of the Fisheries Act

Found: 2020 (the Fisheries Act).

Found: The UK’s objectives for the sustainable management of fish stocks are set out in the Fisheries Act 2020

Found: facto IFG for 11 Note that these FMPs are different from those under development under the Fisheries Act

Found: UK Fisheries Act 2020 and Fisheries Objectives Fishing activity in UK waters is managed in line with

Found: level.Fishing activity in UK waters is managed in line with UK fisheries legislation (which includes the Fisheries Act

Found: the current consultations SFF is working on: - 6 fisheries management plans (FMP) under the UK Fisheries Act

Found: Those Instruments made under the Fisheries Act 1981, the Fishery Limits Act 1976 and the European Communities

Found: The Scottish Ministers in exercise of their powers under paragraph 1 of schedule 6 of the Fisheries Act

Found: Scot) Act 1951 • Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries (Consol) (Scot) Act 2003 • Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act

Found: of the sustainability, precautionary, scientific evidence and bycatch objectives set out in the Fisheries Act

Found: recorded;"British sea-fishery officer" means any person who by virtue of section 7 of the Sea Fisheries Act

Found: of the sustainability, precautionary, scientific evidence and bycatch objectives set out in the Fisheries Act

Found: recorded; “British sea-fishery officer” means any person who by virtue of section 7 of the Sea Fisheries Act

Found: recorded; “British sea-fishery officer” means any person who by virtue of section 7 of the Sea Fisheries Act

Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people were prosecuted on the suspicion of committing an offence in Scotland listed in the Sea Fish Conservation Act 1967, broken down by offence, in each year since 2021.

Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

The Scottish Government does not have the powers to prosecute Marine and Fisheries offences, these powers lie with the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) who prosecute on our behalf. This is a technical point.

The 1967 Act is a parent act under which orders were made, it is therefore more likely that any offence would be taken against a subordinate order rather than the act itself. Other acts have also superseded the 1967 Act, such as the Fisheries Act 2020, which is where licensing powers comes from. Any licence breaches are therefore pursued under the 2020 Act.

Additionally, the Scottish Government has powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) in lieu of reporting cases to the COPFS. Most cases where a penalty was deemed appropriate were dealt with in this way. Details of FPNs are published, link Reporting statistics from marine and fisheries compliance - gov.scot

Table detailing cases prosecuted under the 1967 Act or subordinate orders.

Found: undertakings29 in limited circumstances (i.e. for an offence committed under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act

Found: legislative competence relating to fishing and amendments have been made by section 45 of the Fisheries Act

Found: Fisheries, as evidenced by the amendments to the Fisheries Act 2020 d.

Found: Fisheries Act 1981 13. —(1) Section 30 of the Fisheries Act 1981(c) is amended as follows.

Found: The Fisheries Act 2020 sets out a framework for UK fishing policy.

Found: 1975 £220 £98 19-Oct-21 Keiran Price No Rod and Line Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act

Found: 1975 £220 £98 19-Oct-21 Keiran Price No Rod and Line Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act

Found: legislation that relates to fishing, fisheries or fish health and is made after section 45 of the Fisheries Act

Found: legislative competence relating to fishing and amendments have been made by section 45 of the Fisheries Act

Found: legislation that relates to fishing, fisheries or fish health and is made after section 45 of the Fisheries Act

Found: overlaps with the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 (which includes a target setting process) and the Fisheries Act

Found: These Regulations are made under Paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 of the Fisheries Act 2020. 4.

Question

What measures are in place to safeguard marine protected site features which may be sensitive to disturbance caused by commercial fishing vessels?

Answered by Minister for Climate Change

The Welsh Government takes a risk-based approach to fisheries management and enforcement in our MPAs, based on likely interactions between fishing gear types and protected features irrespective of vessel size.

All features within sites are assessed against potential harm from these activities and management provisions are proposed where necessary. For fisheries, in scenarios where there is evidence to demonstrate potential harm to a feature, it is possible to manage impacts within sites using mechanisms such as Fishing Orders. For example, the Scallop Order (2010) prohibits scallop dredging within 1 nautical mile of the Welsh coast and extends protection to include many of our coastal MPAs.

Wales is supporting the UK approach to combine the cetacean and seabird bycatch plans into one UK Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (BMI). The BMI will describe and implement practical and effective methods to improve monitoring and mitigation of sensitive species in UK waters. This will also align with the Ecosystem Objective under the Fisheries Act 2020. Policies for achieving, or contributing to the achievement of, the Fisheries Objectives will be set out in a Joint Fisheries Statement, which is currently being developed by all four Administrations.

Question

What measures will the Welsh Government take to ensure sensitive species by-catch in Welsh waters is minimised and where possible eliminated?

Answered by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Wales cover approximately 50% of the Welsh marine zone and play a key role in protecting some of our most sensitive species. Additional management measures can be used to regulate activities such as fishing where a risk is highlighted to the designated ‘feature’ species.

The status of the MPA network is assessed through ‘indicative condition assessments’ based on available data. Where designated ‘features’ species are not in a ‘favourable’ condition, additional management measures may be considered.

Wales is supporting the UK approach to combine the cetacean and seabird bycatch plans into one UK Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (BMI). The BMI will describe and implement practical and effective methods to improve monitoring and mitigation of sensitive species in UK waters. This will also align with our objective under the Fisheries Act to avoid or reduce bycatch under the ecosystem component. 

Question

What consideration has the Welsh Government given to the use of remote electronic monitoring on fishing vessels in Wales, including those vessels registered outside of the UK?

Answered by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd

Remote Electronic Monitoring is being considered jointly by all UK Fisheries Administrations for inclusion in the Joint Fisheries Statement which will set out policies to achieve or contribute to the achievement of the Fisheries Objectives in the Fisheries Act 2020.

Question

What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the risk to seabirds and cetaceans from accidental capture in fishing gear used in Welsh waters, including by non-UK registered vessels?

Answered by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd

The Welsh Government is working with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on the Assessing Welsh Fishing Activities (AWFA) project to evaluate the impacts of fishing activities on features of Marine Protected Areas in Wales. NRW will continue to conduct a number of assessments of interactions between fishing gears and features, including mobile species such as seabirds and cetaceans.

Additionally, Wales is supporting the UK approach to combine the cetacean and seabird bycatch plans into one UK Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (BMI). The BMI will describe and implement practical and effective methods to improve monitoring and mitigation of sensitive species in UK waters. This will also align with the Ecosystem Objective under the Fisheries Act 2020 which includes for incidental catches of sensitive species to be minimised and, where possible, eliminated. Policies for achieving, or contributing to the achievement of, the Fisheries Objectives will be set out in a Joint Fisheries Statement, which is currently being developed by all four Administrations.

Question

Will the Minister confirm whether Natural Resources Wales has given licenced commercial salmon netsmen permission to start netting as of 1 June in contravention of the coronavirus regulations?

Answered by Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs

Natural Resources Wales has an obligation under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 to issue net licences to catch salmon and sea trout. At present, in response to dwindling salmon stocks, all net fishers must release any salmon they catch. In common with other commercial fishers, should these net fishers choose to fish commercially, they must comply with current Covid-19 restrictions.

I have asked NRW to remind licensed net fishers of their obligation to comply with current Covid-19 restrictions when fishing.

Found: the Welsh zone, for which the Senedd also recently gained full legislative competence in the Fisheries Act

Found: 4 repeals powers for the Fisheries Administrations to provide financial assistance under the Fisheries Act

Found: Part 5: Shellfisheries This Part makes several amendments to the Sea Fisheries Act (Shellfish) Act

Found: Taking of fish The Marine and Coastal Access Bill amends: ƒ The Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act

Found: Acts that will be reviewed include: ♦ The White Herring Fisheries Act 1771; ♦ The Sea Fisheries Act