MP fears North Shields fishing industry could be let down after Brexit

Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell said promises made during the EU Referendum would result in Britain regaining control of UK waters at the earliest opportunity and leaving the Common Fisheries Policy.

But instead it has been revealed that control over quotas and stocks will remain with the EU long after any Brexit date but instead of being inside the decision-making process, the UK will be outside yet still subject to EU rules.

Mr Campbell said fishermen across the country will feel let down and angry by the Brexiteers’ broken promises of taking back absolute control of our fisheries on day one of leaving the EU.

He said: “The Government has said that in leaving the Common Fisheries Policy the UK will regain control of our fisheries on day one.

“Now we learn that that has been put on ice but although we will not take part any new rules or quotas our fishermen will still be subject to them.

“Furthermore, there is no guarantee that, at the end of a transition period, our fishing rights will not be traded away for some other political or economic priority.”

Mr Campbell also pressed Ministers in the Commons on the future for the prawn industry, with North Shields being England’s biggest prawn port.

He asked the Environment Secretary for assurances, saying: “It’s one thing to catch the fish in our own waters but our fishermen must also have access to markets to sell them.”