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 to ensure fishing takes place at sustainable levels.
As an independent coastal State, the UK sets total allowable catches (TACs) through negotiations with other coastal States, led by the best scientific advice, including advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) on maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Our Fisheries Management Plans will set out how to maintain or recover the stocks and species covered to MSY. Our first five plans, to be published shortly, cover valuable non quota stocks.