As the deadline for the UK`s exit from the European Union approaches, one of the key issues being debated is the question of fisheries. The EU withdrawal agreement, which has been negotiated between the UK and the EU, contains specific provisions regarding access to fishing waters and the management of fisheries after Brexit.
Under the terms of the withdrawal agreement, the UK will become an independent coastal state and will have control over its own waters. However, the agreement also provides for a transition period during which EU vessels will continue to have access to UK waters and UK vessels will continue to have access to EU waters. This transition period will last until the end of 2020, with the possibility of an extension of up to two years.
During the transition period, the UK and the EU will negotiate a new fisheries agreement that will set out the terms for access to each other`s waters and the management of shared fish stocks. This new agreement will be based on the principle of mutual access to each other`s waters and will take into account the needs of the fishing communities on both sides of the English Channel.
One of the key issues that will need to be resolved in the new agreement is the allocation of quotas for shared fish stocks. The UK currently shares quotas for a number of species with other EU countries, and any new agreement will need to take into account the interests of those countries as well as the UK.
Another important issue is the management of fisheries after Brexit. The EU and the UK will need to agree on a framework for managing shared fish stocks in a sustainable way. This will involve setting catch limits, monitoring fishing activity, and enforcing regulations to ensure that fish stocks are not overexploited.
Overall, the EU withdrawal agreement fisheries provisions are a complex and contentious issue that will require careful negotiation and compromise on both sides. However, with the right approach, it is possible to create a new fisheries agreement that meets the needs of all parties and ensures the sustainable management of shared fish stocks for generations to come.