Beneath the waves

Discontent, trade disputes, red tape and warming seas; the UK fishing industry has weathered 50 years of upheaval. Does a new deal with the EU now signal hope? Kevin Parr dives in to assess the industry's current - and future - health

- Kevin Parr

As an island nation, the UK has a long and proud fishing history, a cultural identity that caused waves in the 2016 campaign to leave the EU.

For a few days in May 2025 that passion resurfaced, when the Labour Government announced a new deal with the European Union (EU) that aimed to reduce red tape for trade, bring closer collaboration on security and defence, increase energy links and allow young people greater opportunity for travel, study and work.

Much of the media response focused upon fishing, following a 12-year extension of the agreement made in the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020. The new details include a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement that the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) says “will slash red tape for seafood exporters” and “make it easier to sell British fish to our largest trading partner (the EU)”.

The terms of that original agreement with the EU were due for renegotiation in 2026, so this earlier settlement in May brought a mixed reaction. Some welcomed the SPS agreement, the future stability and the Government promise of £360m investment. Others felt anger and betrayal, suggesting that fishing concessions were used as a late compromise to ensure the whole deal got signed.

After the initial spike of media coverage of the deal dipped, the general interest swiftly ebbed back into the communities, businesses and individuals affected. But amid the trade tangles, warming seas and arguably unadventurous domestic demand, how will the UK fishing industry fare in 2025 and beyond? Let's go beneath the surface and find out.

MURMURS OF DISCONTENT