Fisheries

Introduction to Fisheries

Fish stocks are national and international resources that have to be husbanded carefully. If we lose them from over-fishing, they may take many years to regenerate. We also have to protect all marine species from sea pollution which could wreck their ecology.

Latest information:

13 November 2003: Regional Advisory Councils for fisheries management: consultation on draft Council Decision. Deadline for responses is 6 February 2004.

24 September 2003: Defra to review marine fisheries and environmental enforcement arrangements in England and Wales

Our pages on fisheries information are divided into the following subject areas:

Fishing industry - general overview of the UK fishing industry, including statistical data

Grants and financial assistance - information and reports on the schemes available to the fisheries sector

Conservation - information on the controls on the volume and methods of fishing within the framework of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Aquaculture and fish health - information on aquaculture and on fish/shellfish health

Marine environment - links to the pages on the Environment area of our site describing how Defra helps to protect our seas and coastal waters through strict controls and monitoring

e-commerce - Findings of an ICL research project conducted for the Fisheries Departments in the UK

Restrictive Licensing System for Fishing Vessels - information on UK fishing fleet including multi-annual guidance programme (MAGP)

£5 million Fishing Vessel Decommissioning (2003) Scheme opens - The 2003 Decommissioning scheme for England announced by Fisheries Minister Elliot Morley in January opened on 24 March 2003.

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) - The scientific research and advisory centre for fisheries management and environmental protection.

Information regarding angling and fresh water fishing can be found on the Environment Agency website.