The UK is to introduce a bill that aims to end automatic rights for EU vessels to fish in British waters, the government has said.
'Legislation creating the powers for the UK to operate as an independent coastal state and manage its fish stocks sustainably outside the EU is being introduced into Parliament,' the government's department for environment, food and rural affairs said
The legislation, known as the Fisheries Bill, will guarantee that UK will leave the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) at the end of the transition period in December 2020.
"If people want to fish in our waters, well we'll decide," cabinet office minister Michael Gove said on Friday.
He said countries such as Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, all much smaller than Britain, controlled access to their waters, "so we will control access to ours."
'Take Control'
"This new Fisheries Bill takes back control of our waters, enabling the UK to create a sustainable, profitable fishing industry for our coastal communities, whilst securing the long term health of British fisheries," environment secretary Theresa Villiers commented earlier this week.
"Leaving the EU’s failed Common Fisheries Policy is one of the most important benefits of Brexit. It means we can create a fairer system which will allow marine habitats to thrive, with new powers to support our fishing sector and conserve our wonderful Blue Belt at home and abroad."
News by Reuters, edited by Donna Ahern, Checkout. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
