I agree that our waters are a precious natural resource, and they must be managed carefully. The Government is fully committed to the sustainable management of our seas, while enabling a successful UK fishing fleet. The objectives in the Fisheries Act 2021 collectively reaffirm this commitment to sustainable fishing and protecting the marine environment.
I know that ministers have set up a ‘Blue Belt’ of Marine Protected Areas extending across 38 per cent of UK waters, and the Fisheries Act includes new powers to better manage these areas. Under UK leadership, 80 countries signed up to an international target to protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s ocean by 2030. Alongside this, the Government accepted the central recommendation of the Benyon Review and will be taking forward Highly Protected Marine Area pilot sites. These sites will aid nature to recover to a more natural state, allowing the ecosystem to thrive in the absence of damaging activities.
The Marine Management Organisation has consulted on proposals to manage activity in four of England’s offshore Marine Protected Areas: Dogger Bank Special Area of Conservation, Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge Special Area of Conservation. I am aware that the byelaws proposed aim to ban fishing where there is evidence that they harm wildlife or damage habitats and will seek to ban the use of bottom towed fishing gear in all four sites, with additional restrictions for static gears over sensitive features in two of the sites. I understand that these four Marine Protected Areas were chosen as a priority to help protect their vibrant and productive undersea environments. The information received from this consultation is being reviewed and I look forward to the Marine Management Organisation's response.
Now that the UK has left the EU, the UK Government has powers to implement evidenced based marine management that will help ensure our seas are managed sustainably, protecting both the long-term future of the fishing industry and our precious wildlife and habitats. The Fisheries Act will help to protect our marine resources and develop plans to restore our fish stock back to more sustainable levels.
Moreover, I understand that Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing requires that farmed fish are spared avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations. I am aware that the Government has recently concluded a review of legislation on the welfare of animals at the time of killing. This identified potential improvements that can be made, including on the welfare of farmed fish at slaughter. I am assured that ministers are considering issues raised in this review.
I also know that many people have concerns about larger vessels fishing in our waters. I would like to assure you that now the Transition Period has ended, ministers are reviewing the UK’s policy on access for supertrawlers. This review is being driven by evidence and needs to consider how any measures fit with obligations under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, as well as avoid taking any action against individual vessels which could be construed as discriminatory. I am pleased that under the Fisheries Act 2020, vessels permitted to fish in UK waters will have to be licensed and comply with UK rules and regulations including those on sustainability. Furthermore, licence conditions set by UK Sea Fisheries Authorities will apply to both UK and foreign vessels alike.
As well as super trawlers, fly-shooters also interact with the seabed and are therefore likely to impact seabed habitats. I understand that the compatibility of these activities will depend on the features protected in each site, and that if the site assessments conclude that this type of fishing poses a risk to the conservation objectives of a Marine Protected Area (MPA), the relevant regulator would implement management measures.
I am aware that these management measures will be introduced on a site by site basis to ensure that measures can be tailored to meet the conservation objectives of each site, without unnecessarily restricting fishing activity. I am assured that all existing MPAs in our offshore waters will be protected from fishing activities which could prevents them from achieving their conservation objectives through a three-year byelaw programme being undertaken by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).