Urgent Appeal to New MPs: Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation Presents Five-Point Plan

The Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation (CFPO) has reached out to the newly elected coastal Members of Parliament and the new Minister of Fisheries, urging them to support a comprehensive five-point plan aimed at bolstering the fishing industry in Cornwall. The CFPO underscores the critical role fishing plays in Cornwall’s economy, food security, and community wellbeing.

The Importance of Fishing to Cornwall

Fishing is a cornerstone of Cornwall’s coastal communities, contributing significantly to food security and intertwining with tourism and hospitality. The CFPO highlights that Cornwall is home to one of Europe’s most diverse and sustainable fleets, landing over fifty different species annually, with a first sale value of £50 million. In 2022 alone, Cornwall landed 20,000 tonnes of seafood, equivalent to 40 million protein portions.

Economic Impact

The fishing and seafood sector is a major employer in Cornwall, providing jobs for around 8,000 people. For every fisherman at sea, there are 15 more jobs onshore, underscoring the industry’s broad economic impact. The sector contributes £174 million to Cornwall’s Gross Value Added (GVA), and Cornwall boasts the most economically significant fishing fleet in England.

CFPO’s Five-Point Plan

The CFPO’s five-point plan outlines critical areas requiring attention to ensure the sustainability and growth of the fishing industry. The plan includes:

1. Exclusive access to the 6-12 mile limit – The 2020 TCA Brexit negotiations failed the fishing sector. There must be recognition of this unfinished business. The Cornish fishing industry requires progress towards access arrangements and quota shares more consistent with the UK’s status as an independent coastal state.
2. Co-operation between marine and fisheries managers, scientists & the fishing sector – Co-design and co-management of marine and fisheries resources has been demonstrated to be the only effective way to develop and apply sustainable ways of fishing – in other words, co-management. Top-down blundering (e.g. Highly Protected Marine Areas policy and the Marine and Coastguard Agency medical certificates) must be avoided.
3. Formal recognition of the fishing and seafood industry as part of national food security – With ever increasing demands on the marine space to achieve net zero, as well as nature recovery, the fishing industry must be equally recognised as a critical sector in sustaining national food security. A request to become a statutory consultee in all areas of marine planning would be a welcome start towards ensuring key fishing grounds are safeguarded.
4. Fleet diversity acknowledged as an important component of sustainability – Recognition of the importance of both inshore and offshore vessels in providing the social, economic and environmental sustainability as recognised in the UK Fisheries Act.
5. £100m national fisheries fund – Public funding is critical to evolve the sector. It will enable the development of necessary; science and data sets to underpin sustainable fisheries, training and skills opportunities for our current and future crew and skippers, and harbour, market and processing infrastructure to enhance the supply chain. As set out in the Cornish Fishing Strategy, these are the key areas of focus to sustain the fishing and seafood sector.

The CFPO remains committed to working with the newly elected MPs to ensure policies that support a sustainable UK fishing industry. For more information, visit the CFPO’s website.

Explore the Full Report

By presenting this robust plan, the CFPO aims to secure the future of Cornwall’s fishing industry, ensuring it continues to thrive and support the local economy and communities.