Brexit news: Michael Gove vows UK will 'take back control' of fisheries
Michael Gove has set out the UK’s ambitious plan for a new fishing regime as Britain “takes back control” post-Brexit. The Environment Secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the UK will become an independent coastal state, adding Britain will “hold the cards” and be in the “driving seat”. The blueprint could allow British fishermen to catch more fish after the existing EU system quotas is torn up. He said: “One thing is clear, we will have more fish in our sea’s which are caught by British vessels.
GETTY Brexit news: Michael Gove said Britain will 'take back control' of UK fisheries
“Because when we are an independent coastal state, under international law it will be the case that the exclusive economic zone around these islands, a two hundred nautical mile limit will be ours to police and we will control access. “And therefore we will control who comes, what they catch and what fish are landed here”. Mr Gove added: “I am describing an situation in international law and, of course, it will an annual negotiation but it will be an annual negotiation where we hold the cards and we are in the driving seat. “The difference at the moment is that the Common Fisheries Policy allows, in fact, requires vessels from other countries to fish in our waters.
One thing is clear, we will have more fish in our sea’s which are caught by British vessels Michael Gove
“By leaving the European Union and taking back control of our waters then we are in a position where we decide access. “Now again, as Bertie Armstrong of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, who welcomed today’s white paper, has made clear, that won’t mean other boats can’t fish in our seas because we will negotiate access in the way other countries do to the mutual benefit of both this country and others.” Under the current controversial Common Fisheries Policy, quotes are set centrally by the EU and assigned to each country. CEO of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation Bertie Armstrong insisted the UK fishing industry needed to see a “significant uplift” after cutting ties with the EU.
British fishermen stage Brexit protest Sun, April 8, 2018 It's feared the UK’s transition deal with the European Union will leave the its fishing industry at the EU's mercy Play slideshow PA 1 of 7 UK fishermen fear the EU will impose laws that shrink British fishing fleets