Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru | National Assembly for Wales
Y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, Amgylchedd a Materion Gwledig | Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee
Effaith Brexit ar bysgodfeydd yng Nghymru | The impact of Brexit on fisheries in Wales
FW 08
Ymateb gan : Cyngor Sir Penfro
Evidence from : Pembrokeshire County Council
1. Pembrokeshire County Council is pleased to respond to this Inquiry given the importance of fishing to the Pembrokeshire economy.
2. The Marine Management Organisation records landings at nine Pembrokeshire ports (along with Cardigan where some of the Pembrokeshire fleet make landings). These ten ports accounted for between 47% and 52% of all landings into Wales by weight during the period 2011-2014.
3. As of July 2015, there were 126 vessels in the Pembrokeshire fleet with only ten vessels of over ten metres. Most of the Pembrokeshire fleet are vessels suited only for inshore fishing targeting non-quota species, primarily shellfish. The main export destinations for UK shellfish are France, Spain, Netherlands, Italy and Republic of Ireland.[1] Obviously, all are EU27 Member States.
4. We are aware that there are differing views within the fishing sector in the impact of Brexit, but we see no cause for optimism. The main benefits of Brexit for the fishing sector are usually cited as restricted access of EU27 vessels to UK waters and additional quota for UK vessels in UK waters.[2] However, since the Pembrokeshire fleet is unsuited to fish other than in inshore waters and doesn’t target quota species these possible Brexit benefits were unlikely to act to Pembrokeshire’s advantage.
5. Worse, since much of the Pembrokeshire shellfish catch is destined for the EU the possibility of delays at borders if the UK is outside the Single Market and Customs Union presents a threat to our fishing industry’s continued competitiveness in those markets. The costs and bureaucracy of exporting may also be expected to increase.
6. We are therefore concerned that Brexit will harm rather than benefit the Pembrokeshire fishing industry and fishing communities, despite the fact that some in the industry are optimistic about their prospects post-Brexit.
7. We would be pleased to elaborate on these views should the Committee require.
Dr Steven Jones
Director of Development
[1] “Study of Pembrokeshire’s Fishing Industry and Communities” Cam Nesa Consulting for the Cleddau to Coast FLAG (2015).
[2] “Fisheries: The Transition Agreement and Future Arrangements” British Influence Senior European Experts (May 2018). Available: https://senioreuropeanexperts.org/category/brexit/