Latest poll suggests public backs fleet’s wish to ‘regain control’ of fishing grounds
Fishermen have the backing of the public when it comes to the fleet’s desire to “regain control” of the UK’s fishing grounds after Brexit.
That is according to a poll commissioned by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF).
YouGov carried out the research and reported that 79 per cent of voters who expressed an opinion believe the country should exit the Common Fisheries Policy right away or following a short bridging period to tie in with the annual round of Coastal States negotiations.
Just 15 per cent said they thought the UK should only regain control of its waters at the end of a two-year transition period while six per cent were in favour of remaining in the CFP.
Even among those who voted remain in the EU referendum, 63 per cent favoured an immediate exit for the fishing industry or one after a short bridging period.
Meanwhile, 79 per cent of voters firmly believed that the UK should control access to its own waters compared with just 17 per cent who think the country should continue to abide by EU rules.
The poll results came as senior SFF figures were attending further talks with the UK government to discuss fishing post-Brexit. That follows months of lobbying in which the industry is demanding to “regain control”.
SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong said: “It is clear that there is overwhelming public support for the UK to regain control of what is after all part of its natural capital – the fish stocks around our shores.
“It is pleasing that voters have also been persuaded that it makes sense for us to leave the CFP within the early stages of the transition period. Due to the nature of the annual international fisheries calendar, that is by December 2019.
“Whatever people may think about Brexit, there is broad agreement that for our fishing communities there is a sea of opportunity ahead and we should get on with making the most of it.”
The pollsters asked voters: Following Brexit, when do you think the UK should gain full control over its waters and fisheries resources?
Forty-six per cent favoured immediately after leaving the EU in March 2019 and 16 per cent said after a short bridging period but prior to the end of the two-year transition period. Fewer than 12 per cent said at the end of the transition period, five per cent indicated that the UK should not reclaim full control and just under 22 per cent did not know.
When the don’t knows were stripped out, the figures were 59 per cent, 20 per cent, 15 per cent and six per cent respectively.
The pollsters also asked: Following Brexit, do you think the UK should have full control over how much fish can be caught in UK waters or should continue keeping to rules set out by the EU?
Sixty-five per cent favoured full control while 14 per cent said the UK should stick to EU rules. Three per cent said neither and 18 per cent did not know.
When the don’t knows were removed, the figures were 79 per cent, 17 per cent and four per cent respectively.
The YouGov poll of 1,631 people was carried out on 11th and 12th January.
Charles L. Gallagher
Perhaps Bertie Armstrong his Brexiteers will explain; 1) how they intend to get round International Law that protects historic fishing rights? and 2) what are they going to do about all the fishing licences that were sold, for large profits, to foreign owners?
Ali Inkster
The snp say they plan to repatriate licences and quota why don’t you ask them?
David Spence
I am intrigued as to what ‘ is regarded as UK Fishing Grounds ‘? and does this extend further than the 3.5 miles from the coastline?
I am also intrigued as to what provisions the UK Fishing Fleet are going to do in the conservation of fish stocks or is it going to be ‘ the quick buck policy and screw the long term consequences ‘? I suspect it will be the ‘ quick buck mentality ‘ will prevail regardless to any long term sustainability (if any) there may be and it is doomed to fail.
What would the UK Fishing Fleet do in terms of conservation, monitoring of fish and the policing of the sea’s? Replacing the CFP. I suspect nothing as long as the quick buck mentality prevails. There will be no long term plan to conserve stocks or the fishing industry itself? The UK fishing grounds will end up like many parts of the world, devoid of any fish.
Brex*hit, will cause greater conflict, and it would not surprise me we end up, like the 70’s, in a ‘ fish war ‘ with other countries either within or outwith the EU.