The UK and EU have agreed to extend reciprocal fishing rights in British waters for another 12 years, until June 30, 2038. This arrangement essentially rolls over the current post-Brexit access terms for EU fishing vessels, which were due to expire next year. The deal was finalised ahead of a major UK-EU summit in London and is part of a broader package aimed at “resetting” relations, which also includes agreements on food exports, defence, and youth mobility schemes.
Key points:
EU fishing fleets maintain the same level of access to UK waters as under the existing agreement, with no reduction in British quotas or increase for EU vessels.
The UK secured a separate veterinary and food export agreement, easing border checks and facilitating trade in return for the fishing concession.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commented: “It’s time to move on from stale political conflicts and to pursue pragmatic solutions that truly benefit the British populace. We will finalise an agreement that serves the national interest.”
Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, Harriet Cross, said: “Starmer’s surrender is one of the biggest acts of betrayal that our fishing industry has seen in Scotland.
“It’s absolutely shameful that the Labour UK Government has capitulated to Brussels by agreeing a 12-year deal to hand over fishing access to EU boats in UK waters.
“Our fishermen have been used as a pawn by Keir Starmer, which will result in catastrophic consequences for our coastal communities.
“This is a complete abandonment of our fishing fleets, when the industry should be benefiting from the opportunities presented by leaving the EU and the Common Fisheries Policy.
“I will now be looking to raise urgent questions with the Prime Minister and the Labour UK Government on the matter.”
Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “This deal is a horror show for Scottish fishermen, far worse than Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit agreement.
“It is clear that Sir Keir Starmer made the whole deal on the backs of our fishermen and coastal communities, granting EU vessels 12 years of continuous access to UK waters at the last minute in order secure other objectives.
“This highlights the total indifference of the British political establishment to the interests of our fishing sector, with Sir Keir becoming the third prime minister after Edward Heath and Johnson to betray the industry.
“Any attempt by either the UK or EU to portray the new deal as a continuation of existing arrangements would be a lie, because in fact the Trade and Co-operation Agreement paved the way for annual access negotiations from 2026.
“At the weekend, Sir Keir said the deal would be measured against how much it would improve job prospects and allow our communities to flourish.
“Giving away a national asset such as our rich and healthy fishing grounds for no discernible benefit not only fails both of these tests, but is a disgrace that will ensure the enmity of this proud industry for many years to come.”
Tim Eagle (Scottish Conservative fishing spokesperson), said: “The deal is a shameful betrayal of our fishermen and will go down like a lead balloon in our coastal communities across Scotland. It is even worse than they feared.”
James Anderson – skipper of whitefish vessel Alison Kay (LK 57) and chair of the Shetland Fishermen’s Association – said:
“The fact is that we are sadly not like Iceland, or Norway, or a country that still recognises the value of protecting our own fishing fleet and fishing grounds. Normally, nations negotiate fishing access and quota transfers on an annual basis. Overnight, the EU has been allowed to renege on annual negotiations and instead enjoy a 12 year deal – with UK fishing crews forced to give up their grounds and fish stocks again in exchange for what?
“This, unfortunately, is how our industry – which has so much more to offer – has been treated by successive governments. Fishing communities such as Shetland will remain hopeful that, one day, the UK will find its feet as an independent coastal state and finally conduct ourselves as such – denying EU vessels access to our productive seas without first paying for the privilege.”
Daniel Lawson, Executive Officer for Shetland Fishermen’s Association, added:
“For the EU, this deal has been like taking fishing rights from a baby. The Prime Minister knew full well the fishing industry’s hopes, and the potential opportunities at hand. He has not listened, those opportunities are wasted, and now hard-working fishermen pay the price for this submission. Every benefit the UK Government lists is also a benefit to the EU: which is not the mark of a triumphant negotiation. If the UK Government can’t see the value of our waters, they should consider why the EU has pushed so hard to secure fishing access for so long.”
Meanwhile, a lobby group representing Scottish salmon exporters described the 12-year fisheries deal as a “positive” development. This stands in contrast to the negative assessments from many in the traditional fishing sector.
The deal forms part of a wider rapprochement, with other measures under discussion including British access to EU e-gates, reduced red tape for food exports, and a youth mobility scheme.
The UK government plans to announce a £360 million “fishing and coastal growth fund” for affected communities.
