George Eustice – 2013 Comments on Sustainable Fishing

The comments made by George Eustice, the then Minister for Farming, Food and Fisheries, on 17 December 2013.

Although these were difficult negotiations, I am pleased that we were able to secure the best possible deal for ensuring sustainable fisheries and a strong UK fishing industry.

It was my top priority to ensure that days at sea for fishermen would remain the same next year and that is exactly what has been achieved.

I entered these discussions with the firm belief that any decisions on quotas or days spent at sea need to be based on three clear principles; following scientific advice, fishing sustainably and the need for continued reduction in discarding. We stuck to these principles throughout.