Brexit news: Fishermen demands 'significant uplift' post-Brexit
The Government has set out its white paper for a new fishing regime as Britain “takes back control” post-Brexit. The Environment Secretary Michael Gove said UK will become an independent coastal state, adding Britain will “hold the cards” and be in the “driving seat”. Bertie Armstrong claimed the UK fishing industry needs “a significant uplift” which could generate an extra billion pounds. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The way to start is to have a look at the way other coastal states do in the steady state under international law.
BBC•GETTY Brexit news: Bertie Armstrong told the UK to look to other coastal states for future fishing policy
“Norway retains 85 percent of the fish in its waters for domestic catching, Iceland 95 percent. We retain 40 percent of the fish in our waters. “That’s clearly, under the changed governance that will happen under Brexit, a very severe distortion.” He added: “We are looking for a significant uplift, but what we are not asking for is for the European industry to fall off a cliff. “That’s actually what happened to us when we got turfed out of Iceland when he laws changed 40-odd years ago.
We are looking for a significant uplift Bertie Armstrong
“We are not asking for that to happen to the European industry but we do want a managed adjustment to something that looks more normal.” When asked what would be a reasonable demand for the UK, Mr Armstrong said: “The present UK catch is worth not too far shy of a billion pounds, north of £900million. “That’s 40 percent. So if we move away from that towards Iceland, for instance, then that would double. “That is a really significant impact to the coastal communities around the United Kingdom and a really significant impact to jobs.” Speaking on the Today programme, Michael Gove said: “One thing is clear, we will have more fish in our sea’s which are caught by British vessels.
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