Negotiations are ongoing for a fisheries framework agreement with the EU. To date there have been no direct discussions with the Netherlands or Sweden around future access to British fishing stocks.

In the negotiations, we have been clear throughout that we want a simple, separate fisheries framework agreement which reflects our rights under international law and which provides for annual negotiations over access and fishing opportunities. Any access negotiated with the EU will only cover the UK's exclusive economic zone and not the 0-12nm zone. This remains the case.

On 11 November, the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iceland to enhance cooperation on fisheries matters. The MoU, which will come into effect on 1 January 2021, establishes a UK-Iceland Fisheries Dialogue whereby both countries can share best practice and cooperate on a range of issues, including product innovation and the traceability and marketing of seafood products. This MoU does not provide for fishing opportunities or access to either party's waters.

Total allowable catches for quota stocks and historical access to the UK’s 6 – 12nm stem from international agreements between coastal states or international bodies which do not generally give rise to any right to compensation for individuals.

Any decision by British fishermen to sell, and to buy, catching ‘rights’ (licences) to or from other fishermen or companies is a commercial one and one for fishermen alone to make. It is not for government to compensate fishermen for these business decisions.

Case law established the rights of those in other Member States to invest in UK quota shares. In particular, Dutch and Spanish entities are involved in fisheries in the Southern North Sea and South West approaches respectively. To ensure that quota allocated to a Member State benefits it, it can impose “economic link” conditions to ensure benefits through, for example, landings and crew composition.

We are reviewing the economic link condition and associated practices as part of the development of our future fisheries management arrangements after our withdrawal from the EU, and have commissioned a research project in order to support this work. The research project will conclude later this year.

Any amendments we make to the economic link conditions will be to ensure that the seafood sector and the wider UK economy derive maximum benefit from those fishing against UK quotas.