Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
10
Conclusion
7th Report – Resetting the relationship…
Rejected
The allocation of the Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund through the Barnett formula is inconsistent with model preferred by industry stakeholders in all parts of the United Kingdom. We are concerned that it does not reflect the relative scale, distribution or needs of the fishing industry across the UK. In …
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The allocation of the Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund through the Barnett formula is inconsistent with model preferred by industry stakeholders in all parts of the United Kingdom. We are concerned that it does not reflect the relative scale, distribution or needs of the fishing industry across the UK. In 27 the absence of any proper explanation by the government of why the total sum that has been allocated to the fund was chosen, or for the duration of the scheme itself, it is impossible for anyone to have confidence that there is political or fiscal integrity in the thinking behind the scheme. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides a precedent for region-specific funding using bespoke metrics. Collaborative implementation and administration should have been possible and would have been in the best interests of fishing communities. Beyond the fact that the Scottish Government demanded that administration of the fund should be devolved, there is no obvious reason for the departure from previous practice. Engagement with the devolved administrations is important, but should not replace early, meaningful engagement with the industry. For the UK Government to engage respectfully and meaningfully with the devolved administrations is important, but that is no substitute for early, meaningful engagement with the industry. (Conclusion, Paragraph 22)
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Government response AI summary
The government rejected the committee's concerns about the Barnett formula allocation, stating that devolved governments specifically requested funding not be reserved and preferred to identify their own fishing industry needs. It confirmed £56 million would go to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland via this method.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
16
Recommendation
7th Report – Resetting the relationship…
Rejected
Defra should establish a UK-wide network of Regional Fisheries Management Forums, comprising of fishers, marine scientists and environmental organisations. These forums should meet at least three times a year, with minutes published within 20 working days, and be given a formal role in reviewing and commenting on any draft technical …
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Defra should establish a UK-wide network of Regional Fisheries Management Forums, comprising of fishers, marine scientists and environmental organisations. These forums should meet at least three times a year, with minutes published within 20 working days, and be given a formal role in reviewing and commenting on any draft technical measures or policies affecting UK waters. As many fisheries decisions have UK-wide implications, the forums should operate on a UK-wide basis and be empowered to submit timely written recommendations to the relevant administration, with Defra required to respond formally to those in England before each forum’s next planned meeting. (Recommendation, Paragraph 30)
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Government response AI summary
The government rejected the recommendation to establish new UK-wide Regional Fisheries Management Forums, citing concerns about stakeholder fatigue and stating it is not the right approach. It instead highlighted existing working groups for Fisheries Management Plans and strengthened Regional Fisheries Groups in England that serve …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
22
Recommendation
7th Report – Resetting the relationship…
Rejected
In response to this report, the government should confirm its commitment to development of a ‘Sea Use Framework’. It should set out a clear timetable for developing such a Framework, which should follow a similar structure and methodology to the Land Use Framework and be created in collaboration with all …
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In response to this report, the government should confirm its commitment to development of a ‘Sea Use Framework’. It should set out a clear timetable for developing such a Framework, which should follow a similar structure and methodology to the Land Use Framework and be created in collaboration with all sea users. This Framework must integrate the needs of fishing and coastal communities alongside environmental and energy priorities. It should include a formal mechanism enabling coastal communities to participate in decisions that affect them, and should address the use of the seabed, the shore, and the wider marine environment. Development of the Framework should be undertaken jointly with the devolved administrations to ensure a coherent, UK-wide approach. (Recommendation, Paragraph 49)
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation for a new 'Sea Use Framework', stating that structures already exist to fulfil this role. It cites current marine plans, National Policy Statements, the Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme, and TCE’s Marine Delivery Routemap as already providing effective frameworks for sea …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
24
Recommendation
7th Report – Resetting the relationship…
Rejected
Defra should introduce an annual reporting process which details the use of the Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme (MSPri). The first report, covering activity during 2025–26, should be published within six months of the publication of this Report. Thereafter, annual MSPri reports should be published by 1 July each year, with …
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Defra should introduce an annual reporting process which details the use of the Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme (MSPri). The first report, covering activity during 2025–26, should be published within six months of the publication of this Report. Thereafter, annual MSPri reports should be published by 1 July each year, with the first full annual cycle completed by 1 July 2027. Each report should, as a minimum, set out: • the projects, plans and policy decisions in which MSPri was used during the reporting period; • which government departments used MSPri, and the specific purposes for which it informed their work; • how MSPri was applied in the development of each relevant plan or programme; • an explanation of any cases where MSPri was not used, despite relevance, and the rationale for its omission; • a record of the stakeholders and departments attending MSPri governance meetings, working groups or workshops; and • a summary of all engagement activities undertaken by the programme during the reporting period, including the locations, dates and types of engagement (such as workshops, site visits, or community meetings). To strengthen transparency and public confidence in interdepartmental decision-making, Defra should also commit to publishing the MSPri Programme Board minutes no later than two months after each meeting. (Recommendation, Paragraph 51)
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the specific recommendation for an annual reporting process and timely publication of MSPri Programme Board minutes, stating it is not possible at this time due to the evolving nature of the program, but commits to finding other ways to improve overall transparency.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
25
Recommendation
7th Report – Resetting the relationship…
Rejected
Defra should work with DESNZ to publish, within six months of the government response to this Report, an addendum to the North Sea Future Plan that explicitly sets out how fishing interests and marine environmental protections are assessed and incorporated into decisions affecting the sustainability of the North Sea. (Recommendation, …
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Defra should work with DESNZ to publish, within six months of the government response to this Report, an addendum to the North Sea Future Plan that explicitly sets out how fishing interests and marine environmental protections are assessed and incorporated into decisions affecting the sustainability of the North Sea. (Recommendation, Paragraph 52)
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to publish an addendum to the North Sea Future Plan, stating it is not necessary and that fishing and environmental considerations will be incorporated into the developing Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) via Defra’s MSPri programme.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
27
Recommendation
7th Report – Resetting the relationship…
Rejected
To ensure coherent cross-government leadership of the proposed Sea Use Framework by the end of 2026, the government should establish a ministerial board, to oversee the coordination of government policy on the use of UK waters. This ministerial board would complement or absorb, rather than replace, the existing MSPri Board …
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To ensure coherent cross-government leadership of the proposed Sea Use Framework by the end of 2026, the government should establish a ministerial board, to oversee the coordination of government policy on the use of UK waters. This ministerial board would complement or absorb, rather than replace, the existing MSPri Board by focusing specifically on the strategic coordination and delivery of the proposed Sea Use Framework. This “Sea Use Coordination Board” would provide the strategic direction necessary to align departmental objectives relating to marine planning, fisheries, conservation, energy and coastal communities. The Board should: • oversee and steer the development of the Sea Use Framework, ensuring it is genuinely cross-government and integrates environmental, fisheries, energy and spatial planning needs; • meet quarterly, with minutes and attendance lists published within two months of each meeting; • ensure structured engagement across all relevant Defra family bodies and agencies, including Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Natural England, the MMO, Cefas, and Defra’s fisheries, conservation and marine management teams, with a requirement to demonstrate collaborative input into the development of the Framework; and • produce, by April 2027, a public progress report on the Sea Use Framework, setting out how departments and delivery bodies have contributed to shared priorities and how conflicting objectives have been addressed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 56) 32
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to establish a new ministerial board for a Sea Use Framework, stating that existing structures such as Marine Plans, National Policy Statements, the MSPri programme, and TCE’s Marine Delivery Routemap already fulfil the role of a Sea Use Framework.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs