This week (4 December) saw the UK Government announce the outcome of its fishing negotiations with the EU and Norway, securing fishing opportunities to North Sea stocks for the UK fleet.
The deal, worth up to £310m based on historic landing prices, has secured UK fisheries more than 290,000 tonnes of North Sea stocks – as well as other stocks in waters around the UK.
‘Stand up for British fishing’
Commenting on the deal, fisheries minister Daniel Zeichner said: “This government will always stand up for the British fishing industry, which is the lifeblood of so many communities around our coastline.
“That’s why I’m pleased to have secured a deal providing the UK fleet quota for stocks including cod and haddock worth up to £310m, while maintaining sustainable levels of stocks for the long-term health of our industry.”
According to the government, sustainability was at the heart of the UK’s approach to negotiations, pushing for decisions based on the best available science to protect key stocks and support the long-term viability of the UK fishing industry.
Scientifically led
As such, catch limits have been set at or below levels advised by scientists at the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea – see below for a full break down of stocks.
The outcome of annual fisheries negotiations will be published in the Secretary of State determination of fishing opportunities for British boats by the end of the year. Further negotiations on bilateral agreements with the EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands are continuing.
Meanwhile, concerns are mounting around the impact president elect Donald Trump could have on global trade, as he threatens eye-watering tariffs on BRICS nations and between a 10-20% tax on other areas, including the EU and UK.
Quotas agreed with the EU and Norway
Cod – Total allowable catch (TAC) for Northern Shelf cod of 25,028 tonnes, down 20% on 2024 levels.
- North Sea cod: 9,419 tonnes
- West of Scotland cod: 905 tonnes
- Eastern Channel cod: 107 tonnes
Haddock - TAC of 112,435 tonnes, down 5% on 2024 levels.
- North Sea haddock: 62,128 tonnes
- West of Scotland haddock: 8,610 tonnes
Herring - TAC for the herring A fleet of 388,542 tonnes, down 24% on 2024 levels. Levels for the other fleets were agreed at: B fleet - 7,716 tonnes, C fleet - 22,793 tonnes, and D fleet - 6,659 tonnes.
- North Sea herring: 75,345 tonnes
- Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel herring: 5,278 tonnes
- North Sea herring (bycatch): 140 tonnes
Plaice - TAC of 176,593 tonnes, up 14% on 2024 levels. This TAC is to be split between the two plaice TAC management areas
- North Sea plaice: 41,228 tonnes
Saithe - TAC of 79,071 tonnes, up 7% on 2024 levels. This TAC is to be split between the two saithe TAC management areas
- North Sea saithe: 8,940 tonnes
- West of Scotland saithe: 3,791 tonnes
Whiting - TAC of 139,425 tonnes, up 46% on 2024 levels. This TAC is to be split between the two whiting TAC management areas
- North Sea whiting: 74,030 tonnes
- Whiting 7d: 3,106tonnes