Caught in the Net: The Real Impact of the UK-EU Fishing Deal

Posted by Emily on 20th May 2025 Reading Time:

The UK-EU agreement announced on 19 May 2025 was hailed by some as a long-overdue reset and by others as yet another missed opportunity. While the deal covers multiple areas — including food trade, border easing, and mobility — few areas have provoked as visceral a response as fishing. As ever, the fishing industry finds itself caught between economic pragmatism, political symbolism, and lived reality. So what’s actually changed, what has stayed the same, and what does it all mean?

Fishing Access Extended, But What’s the Catch?

The biggest headline is the extension of EU fishing access to UK waters until 2038 — twelve years longer than originally agreed under the 2020 Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which was set to expire in 2026.

UK ministers argue this move brings stability and predictability to an industry plagued by uncertainty. But critics say it’s a strategic misstep: locking in access for EU boats for more than a decade, with no increase in quotas or additional gains for UK fishers.

“If we’ve got nothing in return for that, for the fishermen and their businesses, the communities that depend on them, then that would have been a very poor deal from our point of view,”

— Mike Cohen, National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations

The existing UK-EU fisheries deal, established under the 2020 Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), was set to expire in June 2026. Post-expiry, both parties anticipated annual negotiations over quotas and access rights. However, the recent extension until 2038 alters this trajectory. Had the UK unilaterally ended or significantly reduced EU access to its waters, it could have faced substantial repercussions. The EU, being the primary market for UK seafood exports—accounting for 71% of the market share—might have imposed retaliatory trade measures, adversely affecting UK exporters, especially those dealing in shellfish and pelagic species like mackerel and herring, which are predominantly consumed in the EU. Moreover, the UK’s fishing industry currently lacks the capacity to fully exploit additional quotas, given limitations in fleet size and infrastructure. It’s also noteworthy that EU vessels operating in UK waters primarily target species destined for export, underscoring the intertwined nature of UK-EU seafood trade.

What’s Changed vs What’s Stayed the Same

What’s Changed	What’s Stayed the Same
EU access to UK waters extended until 2038	UK still sets annual quotas with EU & Norway
SPS checks eased — less paperwork for exporters	Quotas remain unchanged — no increase for EU
UK food exports (e.g. shellfish, raw meat) simplified	UK still issues fishing licences
£360 million investment in coastal areas	EU boats can continue fishing in UK waters
Boost for salmon and shellfish trade	Underlying control dynamics largely unchanged

This side-by-side makes one thing clear: while the timeline has shifted, the core structure remains largely intact.

Industry Reaction: A Sector Divided

Unsurprisingly, the response has been polarised.

Primary fishing industry — anger and disbelief:

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation branded it “a total capitulation.”
Trawler crews in Brixham described the move as “selling out fishermen for pet passports.”
Many felt leverage was squandered, especially given how much EU fleets rely on UK waters.

“The EU wanted this — we didn’t ask for anything new. They got what they wanted, and we gave up our best card.”

— Paul Dyer, former fisherman, now fleet superintendent

Secondary sectors — relief and cautious optimism:

Salmon Scotland, representing aquaculture and processing, welcomed the cutting of red tape.
Exporters like Ian Perkes hope it restores profitability after Brexit-era red tape caused shipments to be rejected over paperwork, temperature disputes, and mislabelling.

Rhetoric vs Reality

The public debate has been dominated by political grandstanding. From Nigel Farage calling it “the end of the fishing industry” to tabloid headlines like “Done Up Like a Kipper”, one might assume the UK had surrendered all rights.

But here’s the reality: the deal doesn’t reduce UK quotas or expand EU shares. It simply freezes the current arrangement for longer — and introduces benefits elsewhere, especially in food exports and trade logistics.

There’s also a strong case to be made that no deal would have satisfied everyone. Fishing has always been about more than fish — it’s about national pride, sovereignty, and regional identity. Yet, policy cannot run solely on sentiment.

“It’s easy to call something a betrayal when it’s not your livelihood on the line. But this industry matters — to jobs, to communities, and to Britain’s food culture.”

— Mike Cohen

A Sweetener or a Strategy? The £360 Million Question

The government has packaged the deal with a £360 million fund to modernise fleets, invest in technology, and train workers. Is it a meaningful investment or a distraction?

That depends. If used well, the money could revitalise struggling coastal towns and help smaller operators upgrade gear and build resilience. If mismanaged, it risks becoming yet another hollow gesture.

Final Thoughts: Time to Move On — With Eyes Open

This deal may feel like a compromise too far to some, and a breath of fresh air to others. But perhaps it’s both. It offers no grand rebalancing of power, nor does it bring catastrophe. It’s not the victory many hoped for, nor the disaster others feared.

Instead, it’s a continuation — one that may finally allow the industry to move past years of Brexit uncertainty and plan for the future. Not everyone will celebrate it. But after years of political gridlock, clarity may be the real win.

“Sometimes the loudest headlines say the least. What matters now is what we do with the stability we’ve got.”