Watch my speech on how quota negotiations are impacting our fishers

Today, I had the opportunity to speak in Westminster Hall about the impact of quota negotiations on the UK fishing fleet.

Our fishing communities have been deeply let down by the previous Conservative government, who spent years promising that Brexit would be a boon for British fishermen. In reality, the post-Brexit landscape has left many in our fishing industry struggling with crippling red tape and barriers to trade with the EU, their largest market.

As I outlined in my speech, fishermen in Brixham feel particularly betrayed by broken promises. While EU vessels have retained nearly the same rights they had under the Common Fisheries Policy, our UK fleets are burdened with costly veterinary certificates and border checks. This has had a disproportionate impact on smaller boats, particularly those in the under-10-metre fleet.

Larger vessels, which make up just 4% of UK fishing boats, account for 75% of the catch, leaving smaller boats - vital to our coastal communities - struggling to survive.

We need a fairer, more sustainable approach - one that supports smaller boats, ensures catch limits reflect scientific advice, and removes the red tape restricting exports. The government must act now to ensure our fishing industry can thrive in a post-Brexit world, with a focus on sustainability, fairness, and the needs of all our fishing communities.