Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Acknowledged
We welcome Defra’s trials of regional seafood planning in England, but more benefits will arise...
Conclusion
We welcome Defra’s trials of regional seafood planning in England, but more benefits will arise if the scope and participation of the trials are broadened to better capture the full range of perspectives from fishing communities and the wider seafood sector. This will enable policy to be shaped more effectively around the realities and needs of those it affects. (Conclusion, Paragraph 29)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges the importance of broader participation by detailing the strengthened role of Regional Fisheries Groups for inshore fleet engagement. It also highlights trials of new engagement approaches, such as a workshop in St Ives, and is exploring holding more such events to involve a broad range of stakeholders.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
33. We have strengthened the role of Regional Fisheries Groups (RFGs), which have been in place in England since 2021.Through the RFGs, Defra works with the MMO to provide a clearer and more influential voice for the inshore fleet. The RFGs are co-ordinated and run by the MMO’s regional leadership team from coastal offices. Through them, we are building more collaborative and trusted relationships between the Government (including Defra, the MMO, the IFCAs and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)) and the fishing sector at a regional level, recognising the value of their local knowledge and expertise. 34. We have also trialled new engagement approaches, including an event in St Ives, Cornwall in 2024, where Defra and MMO officials worked together with commercial fisheries representatives to co-develop and deliver a two-day workshop. This was designed to test how best to reach and involve stakeholders on a broad range of management and policy issues covering FMPs, funding, negotiations and spatial pressures. The event also created opportunities for more informal discussion and relationship building. There is strong appetite from the fisheries sector to hold more of these types of events, which we are looking into.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗