Joint NGO recommendations to the UK on fishing opportunities for 2023

These joint NGO recommendations to the governments of the United Kingdom and of its devolved administrations regarding catch limits in the Northeast Atlantic for 2023 were co-signed by Blue Marine Foundation, ClientEarth, Marine Conservation Society, Oceana, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Whale and Dolphin Society. In this document, we jointly call on the UK to work with the EU and third countries to agree sustainable fishing opportunities for 2023 that end overfishing, significantly contribute to restoring and/or maintaining all fish populations above healthy levels and safeguard marine ecosystem functions. In light of the UK’s departure from the EU, we call on the UK Government to deliver on its commitment to be a world leader in sustainable fisheries management by following our detailed recommendations regarding

• the setting of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for 2023,
• the management of fish stocks shared with third parties, including the United Kingdom,
• the need to use mixed fisheries and interspecies considerations and implement an ecosystem-based approach in order to safeguard the most vulnerable stock(s),
• the correct implementation of the landing obligation,
• the management of depleted stocks with zero or very low catch advice,
• the management of stocks not subject to a TAC (such as European eel and sea bass), and
• the management of deep-sea stocks.

Related links:

Find other files produced or co-signed by ClientEarth related to the annual negotiations on fishing opportunities from 2015 onwards here.