What Does the NFFO Think of the Marine Bill?

We won’t know what the full impact of the Marine Bill will be for many years, as it only a framework for future legislation.  But, we have a good idea of the main areas which will be affected and will be making sure that the needs of the fishing industry are taken into account when it comes to Marine Spatial Planning, Marine Protected Areas and a Marine Management Organisation. 

Regarding jurisdiction, we are aware that any regulations outside 6 miles which impact on vessels from other member states will have to be approved by the Council of Ministers.  Also, that devolution will affect the way that the ideas in the Marine Bill are implemented.

Here’s an overview of what the NFFO is saying to Defra on the Marine Bill:

On Marine Spatial Planning…
It will help to address the chaotic pattern of offshore development - wind-farms and aggregate dredging are two obvious cases in point!  But, any offshore developers should be obliged to engage meaningfully with the fishing industry to reduce their impact on fishermen.

On Marine Protected Areas…
The UK and other member states are obliged by International Law to establish a network of protected areas to enhance biodiversity and we support the concept of protected areas for particularly vulnerable or significant habitat.  Closed areas can also help to protect spawning aggregations and juveniles.  But, it is absolutely critical that these are only implemented after an evaluation has been carried out to determine if it will work, a process has been put in place to continually monitor it to ensure it is meeting its objectives, the fishing industry has been involved in the siting of the area, and the issue of diverted effort has been addressed.

On a Marine Management Organisation…
Bringing the MFA consents arrangements and a modernised inshore management system under a single umbrella makes sense.  But, we reserve judgement on the new MMO until more detail about it has been made available.