The UK is leaving the bloc in three months, but the regulations which came fully into force on New Year’s Day could still make long-lasting damages to British fisheries, according to evidences presented to the House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-committee. The new set of rules include the “landing obligation”, which requires fishing vessels to bring to shore even the fish caught in excess of their allocated quota. So far, fishermen had to discard the excess at sea.
The move, which aims at encouraging fishermen to be more careful about what they catch in their nets, sparked fears fishermen could reach their annual quota at an even faster pace than they do now.
Evidences put in front of the committee argued in some areas fishermen could hit their limits for some species within weeks since January 1.
This would leave in British waters an estimated £165 million worth of fish remaining uncaught in 2019 alone.
Committee member Lord Krebs said: "Maintaining the health of our oceans by fishing at sustainable levels is critically important, and the landing obligation was introduced to help make sure this happens.
The 'landing obligation' rule will force fishermen to bring to shore all their catch (Image: GETTY)
"So it is deeply concerning that so many people - fishers, environmental groups,
