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Public supports increase in fishing quotas in own waters after Brexit: poll
A majority of the public believe that the amount of fish caught by UK boats in their own waters should be increased when the country leaves the EU.
In a YouGov poll commissioned by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF), 63.5% of voters who expressed an opinion said they believed quotas should be increased for UK vessels.
The SFF said that under the Common Fisheries Policy vessels are currently restricted to 40% of the annual catch and the remaining 60% is taken by other countries.
Voters also ranked fisheries as the UK economic sector most likely to benefit from Brexit, with 59% of those with a view saying it would.
Chief executive of the SFF Bertie Armstrong said: “It has been evident to those within the industry in the UK for many years that the system is inequitable.
“We have some of the best fishing grounds in the world, yet the straitjacket that is the CFP prevents our boats from catching even a majority of the quota in our own waters.
“That must end with Brexit, and it is pleasing that the public recognise the validity of our arguments about grasping the Sea of Opportunity to ensure that fishing is one of the biggest beneficiaries of Brexit across the UK economy.
“They understand the need for a fairer share of quotas allocated on the basis of sound science to maintain our number one goal of sustainability.”
YouGov asked voters: Currently, as a member of the EU, Britain is part of the Common Fisheries Policy, meaning that the EU decides who can have access to fish in UK waters. Once Britain leaves the EU, do you think this quota should be increased or decreased, or should it remain at the same level?
Half of respondents said quota should be increased, 5% said decreased and 24% said remain the same; 20% said they did not have a view.
When the “don’t knows” were stripped out, the figures were 63.5%, 6% and 30.5% respectively.
David Duguid, Scottish Conservative MP for Banff and Buchan, said: “This poll again shows that people across the UK recognise the huge opportunity that Brexit presents for our fishing industry.
“We know that our fishermen are currently hamstrung by the Common Fisheries Policy – with just 40% of fish caught in our waters landed by UK boats.
“Leaving the EU means we can change that. We can secure a fairer deal for our fishermen and provide a welcome economic boost for our coastal communities.”
The YouGov poll of 1,687 GB adults was carried out on September 11 and 12.