Fishers in Cornwall are set to be the first to benefit from additional post-Brexit fishing quota as part of a new trial, says the UK government.
The new scheme will give fishers in the region access to an extra 240 tonnes of quota, which will be leased to them at below market rates. Priority will be given to new fishers and those operating larger vessels.
The trial is being delivered by the Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation, Duchy Fish Quota Company, and Cornwall Council and includes species such as cod, place, skate, rays and sole. Funds raised will be reinvested back into the scheme to support fishers in areas such as project management, monitoring and reporting and marketing and promotion.
The chief executive of the Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation Chris Ranford welcomed the new trial. “Allocation of additional quota at a regional level for the benefit of active fishermen and coastal fishing communities is in line with the Cornish Fishing Strategy and we look forward to delivering this new approach,” he said.
A second trial will invite producers with English members to apply directly for a share of the post-Brexit quota. These organisations need to explain how they would use extra quota with their applications assessed against environmental, economic, and social criteria.
Applications to the Cornwall Community Quota Scheme are expected to open soon. Applications to the second trial are expected to open this June, with quota allocated in late summer.
