Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay, has welcomed the announcement by Secretary of State for the Environment Michael Gove that the UK will be withdrawing from the London Fisheries Convention as part of Brexit.
Commenting yesterday, the Secretary of State said leaving the convention meant:
"For the first time in more than 50 years we will be able to decide who can access our waters… this is a historic first step towards building a new domestic fishing policy as we leave the European Union - one which leads to a more competitive, profitable and sustainable industry for the whole of the UK."
Commenting, Steve said:
“The Secretary of State’s announcement is excellent news and one which I know fishing communities in Mid-Cornwall have been pushing for. The London Convention governs fishing limits within six and twelve nautical miles of the UK coastline. This announcement when actioned will be a major part of establishing the UK as an independent coastal state with sovereignty over our own exclusive economic zone.”
“Last year the Cornish fishing communities campaigned for Brexit under the slogan, “Cornish Fish for Cornish Fishermen” and I will continue to work with my fellow Cornish MPs to ensure they get the best deal and this becomes the reality for our vital industry in the post-Brexit world.”