PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Fishing Catches (10 October 2024)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that fishing catch limits are in line with scientific advice on that matter.

Asked by:
Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat)

As an independent coastal State the UK sets catch limits, primarily through negotiation with other coastal States. In line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, our approach to setting catch limits is based on the best available scientific advice, including advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) on maximum sustainable yield where that is available. Following the conclusion of this year's annual fisheries negotiations, the Government will publish an independent assessment of the number of TACs set consistent with ICES advice for 2025 as it has done in previous years.

Answered by:
Daniel Zeichner (Labour)
17 October 2024