Marine Fisheries Policy
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Fisheries 2027
Fisheries 2027, a long-term vision for sustainable fisheries, was published on 2 October 2007. It will guide future fisheries policy and provide direction for everyone with an interest in marine fisheries. Earlier this year we consulted stakeholders on a draft of the vision.
'Fisheries 2027 - a long-term vision for sustainable fisheries' (PDF 2 MB) aims to:
- explain the changes in fisheries and fisheries management over the past thirty years and what we are now trying to achieve;
- set out the balance we will strike between economic, social and environmental priorities;
- clarify, through nine vision statements, what we think is needed to deliver sustainability;
- identify the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders in achieving sustainability;
- summarise the economic, social and environmental benefits and costs of delivering the vision.
With 'Fisheries 2027', we have published 'Delivering Fisheries 2027 - towards an implementation plan'. We will be working with stakeholders over the next nine months to develop this into a shared contract to deliver 'Fisheries 2027'.
Paper copies of Fisheries 2027 are available from Strategic Policy Team, Defra Marine and Fisheries Directorate, Area 2E, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.
Charting a New Course
In October 2005 Defra published Charting a New Course, setting outhow Defra, working with stakeholders, will deliver the policies in Securing the Benefits. It covers:
- Managing fisheries within the marine environment
- Towards a more effective Common Fisheries Policy
- Modernising fisheries management
- Building long term profitability
- Inshore fisheries
- Recreational sea angling
You can download a copy of Charting a New Course (PDF 650 KB) or ask the team below for a paper copy:
Strategic Policy Team
Defra Marine and Fisheries Directorate
Email: marine.fish@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Securing the Benefits
In June 2005, the four UK Fisheries Administrations published their joint response to the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report Net Benefits
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Securing the Benefits - executive summary (PDF 500 KB)
Securing the Benefits sets out the policy framework to secure a sustainable future for the fishing industry.
Net Benefits
The Prime Minister commissioned Net Benefits after the state of cod stocks led to the introduction in 2003 of limitations on the time fishing vessels could spend at sea, and in turn to significant decommissioning of UK boats. In March 2004 the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit published its report, Net Benefits: a sustainable and profitable future for UK fishing. This proposed a possible long-term strategy for improving the fortunes of the fishing industry and the communities that depend upon it.
The Sustainable Fisheries Programme was set up in response to the report Net Benefits.
Working groups of stakeholders and officials met between autumn 2004 and summer 2005 to develop the policy framework in Securing the Benefits - the response to Net Benefits . You can ask for copies of working group minutes and issues papers on inshore fisheries reform, environmental management, marine protected area assessment, impact assessments, fleet management, quota management reform, vulnerable community support, transparent management, enforcement reform, regional fisheries management, reforming the Common Fisheries Policy and Government objectives by emailing: marine.fish@defra.gsi.gov.uk
UK Government response to Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report: Turning the Tide
The Government has responded to the wide-ranging Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution twenty-fifth report Turning the Tide: addressing the impact of fisheries on the marine environment. The report made more than 70 recommendations for improving the management of fisheries and the marine environment. Key among these is the need for a new framework for marine management, which the Government is taking forward through development of the Marine Bill.
- UK Government response to RCEP's twenty-fifth report (PDF 250 KB)
- The Royal Commission’s report Turning the Tide (PDF Royal COmmission website)
Page last modified: 16 October 2008
Page published: 14 December 2007