Consultation on Managing Quota in 2023 and Beyond

Overview

The UK is now an independent coastal state with rights and duties under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to control and manage the resources in our waters. We have the left the EU and the common fisheries policy and, over the coming years, we will reform how we manage our fisheries. This includes the freedom to negotiate with the EU and other coastal states for a fairer share of fishing opportunities. We have previously committed to explore new methodologies for apportioning and allocating any additional quota that is negotiated by virtue of the UK's new independent status. 

The Fisheries Act 2020 provides the legal framework for the distribution of quota and sets out the fisheries objectives we must achieve. We are working with the devolved administrations to develop the Joint Fisheries Statement. This will set out the policies for contributing to the achievement of these objectives. Alongside this, we are developing fisheries management plans to help deliver on those policies. As part of this, we want to improve how we use quota. 

In 2022, we will apportion and allocate quota using the same temporary methods we used last year. We expect this to change in future years following this consultation.

In this consultation we set out options for future distribution of additional quota from 2023. 

Why your views matter

This consultation is an opportunity for you to help shape and influence quota policy in the UK for 2023 and beyond, and builds upon previous engagement with industry.