Fisheries
Updated 5 November 2019
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-agreements-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-without-a-deal/fisheries
Through the UK’s membership of the EU, we are party to a number of multilateral fisheries agreements, such as Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs).
The UK will accede to a number of these agreements by depositing articles of ratification immediately following exit. This will ensure there is no gap in application of the agreement.
The UK intends to accede to the following agreements in this manner:
- The International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT Convention)
- Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (NAFO)
- Agreement for the establishment of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
- North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)
- Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean (NASCO)
- Agreement to promote compliance with international conservation and management measures by fishing vessels on the high seas
- Agreement on Port State measures to prevent, deter, and eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (PSMA)
For two RFMOs, NEAFC and NASCO, the assent of existing parties is required. The UK is engaging with the relevant parties in support of UK accession.
High Seas Fishing Conservation
Description
This agreement seeks to create a framework for strengthening international cooperation to ensure compliance by fishing vessels on the high seas with international measures for the conservation and management of the living resources of the high seas and their responsible and sustainable use.
Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?
Will be in place
Additional Comments
Accession to this agreement will be in place for Brexit. Domestic processes to join this agreement continue on track.
For further information please contact defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk
Lead Department
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Country
N/A - Multilateral
Source
- Agreement to promote compliance with international conservation and management measures by fishing vessels on the high seas
International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
Description
This is a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO), an international organisation whose parties cooperate to conserve and manage shared fish stocks, including in ICCAT, the allocation of fishing opportunities for these stocks.
Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?
Will be in place
Additional Comments
Accession to this agreement will be in place for Brexit. Domestic processes to join this agreement continue on track.
For further information please contact defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk
Lead Department
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Country
N/A - Multilateral
Source
- International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT Convention)
Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fisheries Agreements (Catch certificates)
Description
Currently all third countries wishing to export fish and fish products to an EU Member State are required to provide formal notification to the EU. After the UK leaves the EU similar arrangements will be implemented in order to facilitate smooth trade with those third countries.
Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?
Will be in place
Additional Comments
The UK government has informed partner countries of its intention to continue the use of catch certificates.
For further information please contact defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk
Lead Department
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Country
Over 90 countries
Source
- IUU Fisheries Agreements (Catch certificates)
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
Description
This is a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO), an international organisation whose parties cooperate to conserve and manage shared fish stocks.
Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?
Will be in place
Additional Comments
Accession to this agreement will be in place for Brexit. Domestic processes to join this agreement continue on track.
For further information please contact defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk
Lead Department
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Country
N/A - Multilateral
Source
- Agreement for the establishment of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO)
Description
This is a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO), an international organisation whose parties cooperate to conserve and manage shared fish stocks.
Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?
Not Expected to be In Place
Additional Comments
The UK application to join is being considered by the contracting parties. A delayed response may result in a short membership gap of up to two weeks. We will mitigate the impact by engagement with the regulators and industry.
Lead Department
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Country
N/A - Multilateral
Source
- Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean (NASCO)
North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)
Description
This is a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO), an international organisation whose parties cooperate to conserve and manage shared fish stocks, including in NEAFC, the allocation of fishing opportunities for these stocks.
Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?
Not Expected to be In Place
Additional Comments
The UK Government will resubmit an application to be considered by the contracting parties. A delayed response may result in a short membership gap of up to two weeks. We will mitigate the impact by engagement with the regulators and industry.
Lead Department
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Country
N/A - Multilateral
Source
- Convention on future multilateral cooperation in North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (NAFO)
Description
This is a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO), an international organisation whose parties cooperate to conserve and manage shared fish stocks, including in NAFO, the allocation of fishing opportunities for these stocks.
Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?
Will be in place
Additional Comments
Accession to this agreement will be in place for Brexit. Domestic processes to join this agreement continue on track.
For further information please contact defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk
Lead Department
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Country
N/A - Multilateral
Source
- Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (NAFO)
Port State Measures
Description
This agreement seeks to create a framework for strengthening international cooperation to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?
Will be in place
Additional Comments
Accession to this agreement will be in place for Brexit. Domestic processes to join this agreement continue on track.
For further information please contact defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk
Lead Department
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Country
N/A - Multilateral
Source
- Agreement on Port State measures to prevent, deter, and eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing
DEFINITION OF CATEGORIES
Will be in Place
Agreement ready to enter into force on day one of exit, or only administrative or domestic implementation steps outstanding in order for agreement to enter into force on day one.
Expected to be in Place
Agreement on track to be in place for day one, and may have been initialled or agreed in principle, but some steps, such as signature or ratification, remain outstanding.
Engagement Ongoing
Discussions are ongoing with the third country.
Not Expected to be in Place
Existing obstacle(s) to the finalisation of text, signature, or ratification that is unlikely to be overcome in time for day one entry into force.
Will Not be in Place
Not possible to conclude for day one. In some cases, the agreement will nonetheless be in place shortly after day one.