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Written question asked by Jayne Kirkham (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 October 2025. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 October 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Fishing Gear: Innovation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the report by Seafish entitled Supporting the Commercial Uptake of Innovative Fishing Gear, published on 10 September 2025.

Answer

The results of this Defra funded report provides a useful insight into the issues and potential barriers to the adoption of more selective fishing gear. The UK fisheries administrations encourage the commercial uptake of innovative fishing gear and will work together to explore how to unlock the barriers to the take up of more selective gears, which this report can inform on.

Defra remains committed to keeping the dialogue open with industry partners and our partners in the devolved Governments. Defra will continue to support the use of trials of new innovative and selective fishing gear. Where a trial clearly demonstrates that the new fishing gear is shown to minimise the wider impact on the marine environment and reduces unwanted bycatch, Defra will look to make the necessary changes to regulations to facilitate this change.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
82559
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Innovation Fishing gear Seafish
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk