EU fisheries deal secured

A deal to reform the Common Fisheries Policy has been agreed by EU Member States and is expected to become law later this year.

After lengthy negotiations, the new Common Fisheries Policy should radically transform fishing practices in Europe, with reforms including:

• A ban on the practice of discarding perfectly edible fish.
• A legally binding commitment to fishing at sustainable levels.
• Decentralised decision making, allowing Member States to agree the measures appropriate to their fisheries.

The ban on discarding in “pelagic” fisheries (such as mackerel and herring) will start on 1st January 2015 with a further ban on discards in other fisheries scheduled for 1st January 2016.

Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon, says: “We know these changes will not happen overnight, and we have a lot of work ahead to help fishermen adjust to the new reforms so that they have a more sustainable future.

“This work has already begun, and we will now build on the discussions we’ve already had with industry to make sure the transition is as smooth as possible.”