Fishermen in Cornwall are set to be the first to benefit from extra post-Brexit fishing quota as part of new trial schemes announced by the government today.
A community trial will give fishers in the region access to an extra 240 tonnes of quota, which will be leased to them at below market rates with priority given to new fishers and those looking to operate larger vessels.
The trial, which is being delivered by the Cornish Fish Producer Organisation, Duchy Fish Quota Company, and Cornwall Council, will span stocks including cod, place, skate, rays and sole. Funds raised will be reinvested back into the scheme to support fishers in the trial through training in project management, monitoring and reporting and marketing and promotion.
Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said:
The introduction of these two new trials will be another step for UK fishers to reap the benefits of our post Brexit freedoms and utilise this additional quota in a way that works for them.
These trials will be a vital step in helping us decide how we allocate our quota in the future, ensuring the necessary support is provided for a sustainable and profitable fishing industry".
CEO of the Cornish Fish Producer Organisation Chris Ranford said:
The CFPO welcomes the approval of the Cornwall Community Quota trial. Allocation of additional quota at a regional level for the benefit of active fishermen and coastal fishing communities is in line with the Cornish Fishing Strategy and we look forward to delivering this new approach.
The expertise of the CFPO will ensure the additional quota is managed in a fair and equitable way and give consideration to different fisheries, seasonality, markets, innovation, supporting career progression and the long-term economic benefit to coastal communities.
A second trial will use a newly formed Quota Application Mechanism (QAM) to invite producer organisations with English members to apply directly for a share of the post-Brexit quota. Producer organisations will put forward and explain how they would use extra quota and their applications will be assessed against environmental, economic, and social criteria with the highest scoring applicants being awarded the quota.
Work carried out will build on the trial in 2025 and beyond, with an eye to supporting the sustainability of the UK's fishing stocks and the wider interests of fishers.
Applications to the Cornwall Community Quota Scheme are expected to open soon.
Applications to the QAM trial are expected to open this June, with a view to allocating quota in late summer.
