Select Committee · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

UK Seafood Fund

Status: Closed Opened: 12 Apr 2022 Closed: 9 Nov 2022

This inquiry will evaluate how effectively the UK Seafood Fund will meet its stated objectives and how well the Government is delivering on the promises it has made to the fishing industry, and is intended to influence the implementation of the Fund to maximise its effectiveness. Background Following a commitment made by Prime Minister in December 2020, in December 2021 the Government established the UK Seafood Fund . This is in addition to other UK funding that has replaced EU funding for the sector following Brexit. The Government has said that the objectives of the UK Seafood Fund are to: reform and modernise infrastructure in order to ‘level up’ - and bring economic growth to - coastal communities; ensure the best science, research and technology is used in fisheries management; encourage new entrants to the industry, while upskilling current members; and enable an environmentally sustainable fishing industry. There will be three funding streams within the UK Seafood Fund: Science & Innovation; Infrastructure; and Skills & Training. There will also be a £1m fund to help access external markets. The application window has already opened for some elements of the UK Seafood Fund. For more information on the UK Seafood Fund, see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-seafood-fund Terms of reference 1. How effectively will the UK Seafood Fund allow the Prime Minister to deliver on the promises he has made to industry such as the modernisation of fleets and the fish processing industry? 2. How can the Fund’s infrastructure investment be best used to support economic growth to coastal communities? 3. What are the key training and skills needs that the Fund should target? 4. What science and innovation developments should the Fund prioritise? How can the Government ensure the outcome of this research benefits the whole sector? 5. How could the Fund be used to improve the environmental sustainability of the fishing industry? 6. To what extent should the Fund be focused on increasing the UK's catch capacity? 7. How well is the Fund engaging with the industry? Show less

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions

Date	Witnesses
28 Jun 2022	Chloe North · Western Fish Producers’ Organisation, Dr Bryce Stewart · University of York, Helen McLachlan · RSPB Scotland, Sarah Adcock · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Victoria Prentis · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	View ↗
7 Jun 2022	Barrie Deas · National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, Elspeth Macdonald · Scottish Fisherman’s Federation, Hamish MacDonell · Salmon Scotland, Jimmy Buchan · Scottish Seafood Association, Mark Simmonds · The British Ports Association, Simon Potten · Seafish	View ↗

Who gave evidence

11 witnesses

Witness	Organisation	Sessions
Barrie Deas · Chief Executive	National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations	1
Chloe North · Manager	Western Fish Producers’ Organisation	1
Dr Bryce Stewart · Senior Lecturer, Department of Environment and Ge…	University of York	1
Elspeth Macdonald · Chief Executive	Scottish Fisherman’s Federation	1
Hamish MacDonell · Director of Strategic Engagement	Salmon Scotland	1
Helen McLachlan · Head of Marine Policy	RSPB Scotland	1
Jimmy Buchan · Chief Executive	Scottish Seafood Association	1
Mark Simmonds · Director of Policy	The British Ports Association	1
Sarah Adcock · Deputy Director for Evidence, Funding & Ocean Sus…	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	1
Simon Potten · Head of Training (Safety and Services)	Seafish	1
Victoria Prentis · Minister for Farming, Fisheries and Food	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	1

Correspondence

1 letter

Date	Direction	Title
19 Jul 2022	—	Correspondence to Minister Prentis re: UK Seafood Fund