Brexit: and what it means for our seas

The regular newsletter from the Devon Maritime Forum also has a regular section with links to pieces on where we are with Brexit - and things maritime:
DMF May e-Newsletter | Devon Maritime Forum

From the The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations:

General Election: Party Manifesto Commitments

21ST APRIL 2017

The Prime Minister’s announcement of a General Election on the 8th June may have caught…

Are Days the Answer?

3RD APRIL 2017

The NFFO looks at claims that, post-Brexit, we could ditch quotas.

Exclusive 12 mile Zone

24TH MARCH 2017

Each week, the NFFO shines a spotlight on a different aspect of its policy towards the…

National Federation of Fisheries Organisations weekly ‘Brexit’ updates 

And from the Marine Conservation Society

What does Brexit mean for our seas?

29th March 2017

As Prime Minister Theresa May triggers Article 50 and sets off the process of leaving the European Union today, we ask: what will it mean for our seas?

Following Brexit, MCS considers it of utmost importance that all of the EU directives and regulations set for environment matters must be applied in the UK via the Great Repeal Bill largely “as we were”. Legislation on water quality and the nature directives - so crucial to our wildlife protection in UK waters – have all proved themselves to be strong, robust and effective. If anything, they need better implementation, but definitely not reviewing or re-inventing.

For managing fisheries, it is likely to be more complicated, not least because of the way EU regulations apply in this sector and because of the intrinsic international and transboundary nature of fisheries management. Though it is perhaps harder to foresee the changes, preserving the progress made in the last reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy will be key. MCS invested a lot of energy and enthusiasm into helping get genuine reform of the CFP and is proud to see many fisheries improving, both in environmental status and profitability.

There is a significant risk that both important environmental and fisheries laws will be weakened during Brexit negotiations. Some groups wish to see greatly increased fishing quotas for UK fleets and exclusive access to UK waters, whilst at the same time continuing to fish in other Member States’ waters and selling their catch to EU countries. It is encouraging to see others seeing Brexit as an opportunity to “take sustainability further than we have been allowed to in the past”, according to Defra.

The real crux with Brexit will be to ensure that the momentum for healthy seas and sustainable fisheries is maintained and built on to help deliver the UK’s ambitions of a productive and healthy marine environment that supports thriving coastal communities and a profitable fishing industry.

You can be assured that, over the next two years, we will be calling for environmental laws to be kept strong for the good of the UK, and Europe’s seas.

This is an abridged version of an article in the latest magazine "Marine Conservation" for MCS supporters, available with membership (join here) or feel free to request a review copy via our contact us page.

What does Brexit mean for our seas? 
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