Statement
My Hon Friend the Minister of State (Victoria Prentis) has today made the following statement.
This statement provides an update on the Written Ministerial Statement made on 3 November 2021.
It sets out the number of fishing licences issued by the UK and the Crown Dependencies since the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) was signed on 24 December 2020. The information is correct as of 12.30 on 15 December 2021.
This statement now includes the number of licences issued for “direct replacement” vessels. Our approach for licensing replacement vessels will be published by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), which is the UK’s Single Issuing Authority, on GOV.UK.
Throughout this process, the UK’s approach has been evidence-based and in line with our commitments under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). We have licensed vessels where sufficient evidence has been provided that demonstrates that a vessel qualifies for access under the TCA. Where that evidence has not been provided, licences have not been issued.
UK waters
The number of licences that have been issued to EU vessels to fish in UK waters are as follows.
UK overall total
Applications received | Applications approved | Applications not approved |
1,871 | 1,822 | 49 |
UK 12-200nm zone
The majority of licences were granted on 31 December 2020 with 1,285 EU vessels licensed. The numbers below are accurate as of 13 December 2021.
Applications received: 1,669
Vessels licensed: 1,669
By Member State:
Member State | Applications received | Licences issued | Applications not approved |
Belgium | 64 | 64 | 0 |
Denmark | 120 | 120 | 0 |
France | 736 | 736 | 0 |
Germany | 49 | 49 | 0 |
Republic of Ireland | 355 | 355 | 0 |
Lithuania | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Netherlands | 194 | 194 | 0 |
Poland | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Portugal | 49 | 49 | 0 |
Spain | 90 | 90 | 0 |
Sweden | 8 | 8 | 0 |
UK 6-12nm zone
Vessels over 12m
Applications received: 109
Applications approved: 106
Vessels currently licensed: 99
By Member State:
Member State | Applications received | Licences issued | Approved but unallocated or withdrawn | Applications not approved |
Belgium | 21 | 18 | 1 | 2 |
France | 88 | 81 | 6 | 1 |
Vessels under 12m
Applications received: 50
Applications approved: 20
Vessels licensed: 19
By Member State:
Member State | Applications received | Licences issued | Approved but unallocated or withdrawn | Applications not approved |
France | 50 | 19 | 1 | 30 |
Direct replacement vessels
Applications received: 43
Applications approved: 27
Vessels licensed: 27
By Member State:
Member State | Applications received | Licences issued | Applications not approved |
Belgium | 2 | 1 | 1 |
France | 41 | 26 | 15 |
Crown Dependency waters
Licensing figures for the Crown Dependencies are as follows:
Jersey
Total applications | Full licences issued | Temporary licences granted. Valid until 31/1/22. Further information from the Commission/Member State required if they are to become full licences. | Lapsed on 30/10 due to lack of evidence |
217 | 130 | 33 | 54 |
Jersey has also received 11 applications for replacement vessels, which are pending until the methodology is finalised.
Guernsey
Total applications | Full licences issued | Approved but unlicensed applications as the vessel is no longer active | Applications not approved |
58 | 40 | 3 - these will be issued to replacement vessels in due course | 15 |
Guernsey’s transitional arrangement which allows 167 French vessels including those that have now been issued with a full licence, to continue fishing on a temporary basis, will remain until 31 January 2022.
Isle of Man: no applications received.