Fisheries Bill

Official Summary

A Bill to make provision about policy objectives in relation to fisheries, fishing and aquaculture; to make provision about access to British fisheries; to make provision about the licensing of fishing boats; to make provision about the determination and distribution of fishing opportunities; to make provision enabling schemes to be established for charging for unauthorised catches of sea fish; to make provision about grants in connection with fishing, aquaculture or marine conservation; to make provision about the recovery of costs in respect of the exercise of public functions relating to fish or fishing; to confer powers to make further provision in connection with fisheries, aquaculture or aquatic animals; to make provision about byelaws and orders relating to the exploitation of sea fisheries; and for connected purposes.

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Overview

The Fisheries Bill aims to establish a new framework for managing UK fisheries post-Brexit. It sets out policy objectives, regulates access to UK waters, licenses fishing boats, determines fishing opportunities, and creates mechanisms for charging for unauthorized catches and providing financial assistance to the fishing industry.

Description

Fisheries Objectives and Statements

The Bill defines six fisheries objectives: sustainability, precaution, ecosystem protection, reliance on scientific evidence, discard elimination, and equal access for UK fishing boats. It requires the preparation and publication of fisheries statements outlining policies to meet these objectives.

Access to British Fisheries and Licensing

The Bill revokes the requirement for equal access to UK waters for EU vessels. It mandates licenses for all fishing boats (British and foreign) operating within UK waters, with exceptions for certain types of fishing and small boats. Penalties are outlined for violations.

Fishing Opportunities

The Secretary of State is given the power to determine annual fishing opportunities (catch and effort quotas) for British boats, subject to consultation with devolved administrations. The distribution of these opportunities is also addressed. The Bill allows for the sale of English fishing opportunities through competitive tender or auction.

Discard Prevention Charging Schemes

The Bill empowers the Secretary of State to establish schemes charging for unauthorized catches of sea fish, defining "chargeable person" and "unauthorized catch". The Bill specifies how charges will be calculated and collected and how catches subject to a charge can be ignored for other regulatory purposes.

Grants and Charges

The Secretary of State, and devolved administrations, are granted powers to provide financial assistance for various purposes, such as marine conservation and aquaculture development. The Marine Management Organisation can impose charges for its functions.

Other Provisions

The Bill addresses the legislative competence of the Welsh Assembly, outlines objectives for a fisheries agreement with the EU, includes minor and consequential amendments, and sets out commencement and interpretation clauses.

Government Spending

The bill's financial implications are not explicitly stated in the provided text, but it likely involves government spending on grants and administrative costs for licensing and enforcement. Potential revenue generation is anticipated through charges for unauthorized catches and services provided by the Marine Management Organisation.

Groups Affected

Fishing Industry: Impacts include new licensing requirements, quotas, potential charges for unauthorized catches, and access to financial assistance.
Foreign Fishing Vessels: Will require licenses to operate in UK waters and will be subject to new access regulations.
Devolved Administrations (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland): Significant involvement in the implementation and enforcement of the Bill's provisions.
Marine Management Organisation: Increased responsibilities for licensing, enforcement, and charge collection.
Consumers: Potential impacts on fish prices and availability.
Environmental Groups: The Bill's sustainability objectives could have a positive impact on marine conservation.

Full Text

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