Urgent policy action needed to reverse decline in UK fisheries and protect coastal communities - Marine Biological Association
A major new study co-authored by the Marine Biological Association (MBA) has issued a stark warning that the UK is at serious risk of losing the wide-reaching benefits of its sustainable fisheries unless urgent action is taken.
The paper, Recognising and Protecting the National Benefit of Sustainable Fisheries in the UK, highlights the deepening decline of the UK’s fishing fleet—especially in small-scale coastal communities—and outlines an urgent opportunity for policymakers to reverse this trend for the good of the economy, environment, and society.
Published on 10 April in the highly respected international journal Fish and Fisheries, the paper brings together 19 co-authors including marine scientists, fisheries experts, community advocates, environmental groups and policymakers, including significant contributions from a researcher at the MBA, who emphasise the vital role that sustainable fisheries play in maintaining marine biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, and preserving the UK’s coastal heritage.
A national asset at risk
The paper presents eight distinct national benefits provided by sustainable fisheries, from food security and coastal employment to environmental stewardship and cultural heritage. The research introduces a new framework to help government bodies operationalise the ‘national benefit’ objective of the UK’s 2020 Fisheries Act.
However, long-term analysis of UK fisheries data conducted in the study shows alarming trends: a steep decline in fishing vessels, particularly small boats under 10 metres in length, and a growing imbalance that disproportionately affects rural and economically vulnerable coastal regions.
Posted On: 15/04/2025
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