Theresa May launches bid to take back control of UK’s fishing waters post-Brexit
THERESA May today unveils a plan to take back full control of Britain’s fishing waters in a bid to quell rising Tory anarchy over Brexit.
The government blueprint will see the UK set its own fishing quotas for the first time in five decades. Brexiteers had feared that the PM would trade away the power – a key pledge by Leave campaigners – in exchange for a better trade deal.
But the firm commitment for quotas to become a sovereign decision means only British ministers will decide who fishes in the 200 miles of our territorial waters, and how much they catch.
No10 hopes the Brexit ‘red meat’ offer will calm a spiralling new rebellion among anti-EU Tories over Mrs May’s feared new red line climb downs on customs and Brussels rules on goods.
Mrs May said: “As an island nation, our fishing industry is the lifeblood of coastal communities around the UK.
“I have been clear that when we leave the EU we will take back control of our waters, while ensuring we don’t see our fishermen unfairly denied access to other waters. The plans set out today demonstrate the bright future in store as we build UK fishing industry for future generations by putting the importance of a healthy marine environment at its heart.”
Environment Secretary Michael Gove will publish the plan in the Fisheries White Paper today.
Mr Gove added: ““We will be able to put in place our own systems, becoming a world leader in managing our resources while protecting the marine environment”.
Fishermen’s groups were delighted with the blueprint.
National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation CEO Barrie Deas dubbed the plan “clear and cogent”. He added: “I am sure that it will attract wide support across the industry and Parliament.
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“Outside the EU, the UK will be an independent coastal state and this will provide the basis to rebalance quota shares and implement effective and adaptive management measures for our fisheries.”
Non-UK vessels currently take more than 50% of British fishing stocks, in a set up they have attacked as deeply unfair for years. EU Member States currently land around eight times as much fish in UK waters than the UK does in EU Member States’ waters.
Under the plan, foreign vessels will be allowed some fishing in British waters, but only in exchange for access to their nation’s.
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