The Government has been issued a warning that its post-Brexit Fisheries Act is failing to protect UK fish stocks or coastal communities, as MPs, environmentalists and inshore fishers condemn ongoing overfishing and unfair quota distribution. The criticism follows Blue Marine’s legal challenge, which exposed how the Act gives ministers wide discretion to allocate quotas even when they exceed scientific advice. Charles Clover, co-founder of Blue Marine, said the ruling shows the law is fundamentally unfit for purpose: “A child of five could tell you that if you catch too many fish this year you won’t have many left next year,” he warned, calling for an urgent, transparent review of the Act. With scientists now advising drastic cuts, including a 77 per cent reduction in mackerel catches and multiple “zero-catch” recommendations.
You can read the full article here.
