Updated Provisional Fishing Quota Published

2nd March 2021

The Government has updated provisional catch limits for fishermen in the UK.

The Government has today (2 March 2021) reviewed and published updated provisional catch limits for fishermen in the UK to ensure fishing continues uninterrupted until annual fisheries negotiations with the EU, Norway and Faroe Islands conclude.

Provisional quotas were first published on 14 January. The Government, following consultation with the Devolved Administrations and Marine Management Organisation, has set increased provisional catch limits in line with the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Changes have only been made for certain stocks to account for seasonal winter fisheries, and to enable industry to keep fishing whilst annual negotiations continue.

These provisional catch limits will apply until the end of March, or before if annual negotiations conclude sooner. Provisional limits will continue to be regularly reviewed alongside progress being made in the negotiations and will be updated as needed.

Annual negotiations are taking place now the UK and EU have concluded the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Under that agreement, the UK will see year on year increases in our share of the total allowable catch, moving from just over half of the quota stocks in our own waters now, to two thirds of the stocks in our waters after five and a half years.

Fisheries Minister Victoria Prentis said:As a responsible independent coastal State we are taking measures to ensure that we fish sustainably, and that our fishermen can continue to operate smoothly while annual negotiations take place.

As the annual negotiations have not yet concluded the Government has reviewed our provisional catch limits.

These updated provisional catch limits continue to follow our new quota shares and the approach outlined in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. We have continued to apply the precautionary approach we have taken to ensure we fish sustainably while annual negotiations continue.

Policy paper: Fishing opportunities for British fishing boats in 2021