Briefing to UK Members of Parliament on joint NGO recommendations to the UK Government on fishing opportunities for 2021

This briefing to UK Members of Parliament (MPs) on joint NGO recommendations to the government of the United Kingdom regarding catch limits in the Northeast Atlantic for 2021, was co-signed by Marine Conservation Society, Oceana and ClientEarth. In this document, we jointly call on the UK to work with the EU and third countries to agree sustainable fishing opportunities for 2021. The briefing summarises our key asks for interested MPs.

In particular, we provide concrete recommendations regarding the setting of fishing opportunities in line with the best available scientific advice, also in light of the widely recognised poor compliance with the landing obligation, and with a particular emphasis on depleted stocks, including vulnerable bycatch stocks with zero catch advice.

It also highlights that in light of the UK’s departure from the EU, the adoption of a robust, scientifically sound agreement between the EU and the UK is essential to effectively and jointly address the current climate and biodiversity threats, and to ensure that sustainability, conservation and protection of the marine environment are given priority over short-term political and sectorial interests.

This document is closely linked to a series of three documents providing recommendations to decision-makers focusing on different parts of the process for setting catch limits in the EU for 2021. You can find these here:

Joint NGO recommendations to the UK Government on fishing opportunities for 2021

Joint NGO recommendations to the parties managing shared fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic

Joint NGO response to the Commission consultation on the setting of fishing opportunities for 2021 under the CFP

Joint NGO recommendations for deep-sea fishing limits 2021-2022

NGO recommendations to the parties managing shared fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic