Protecting fish stocks

European fisheries are a vital source of food for this country and our trading partners. Our seas provide employment, recreation and economic support for rural communities - and fishermen play a key role in the stewardship of the marine environment.

We are involved in a number of important initiatives to protect fish stocks for future generations, in partnership with the fishing and aquaculture industries, and we also monitor and report on important initiatives and the progress of key legislation.

DiscardsSeafish provides up-to-date information on the issues surrounding discards and reports on positive developments.IUU fishingSeafish monitors initiatives and reports on progress to stop Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU).

Data deficient fisheriesSeafish is actively involved in initiatives to assess ‘data deficient’ or ‘data poor’ fisheries.Reform of the CFPThe Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is under review. A new CFP has to be in place by 1 January 2013.