Fisheries Act 2020

2 Joint fisheries statement

(1) The fisheries policy authorities must prepare and publish a document, to be known as a joint fisheries statement (a “JFS”), that—

(a) sets out the policies of the fisheries policy authorities (or any of them) for achieving, or contributing to the achievement of, the fisheries objectives,

(b) contains a statement explaining the use the fisheries policy authorities (or any of them) propose to make of fisheries management plans in order to achieve, or contribute to the achievement of, the fisheries objectives, and

(c) contains a statement explaining how the fisheries objectives have been interpreted and proportionately applied in formulating the policies and proposals mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b).

(2) The policies for achieving, or contributing to the achievement of, the fisheries objectives required to be set out in a JFS by subsection (1)(a) include, in particular, the policies of the fisheries policy authorities relating to the distribution, in accordance with section 25, of catch quotas and effort quotas for use by fishing boats.

(3) The statement under subsection (1)(b) must, in particular—

(a) contain a list of fisheries management plans that are already in force;

(b) contain a list of fisheries management plans that the fisheries policy authorities (or any of them) propose to prepare and publish;

(c) specify, in relation to each proposed fisheries management plan—

(i) the fisheries policy authority or authorities by whom it is to be prepared and published;

(ii) if it is to be prepared and published otherwise than by all of the fisheries policy authorities acting jointly, the reasons for that;

(iii) the stock or stocks of sea fish, the type or types of fishing and the geographical area or areas to which the plan will relate;

(iv) a timetable for preparation and publication;

(d) set out the fisheries policy authorities’ reasons for deciding which stocks of sea fish, types of fishing and geographical areas should be subject to fisheries management plans and which should not.

(4) A JFS must contain a statement that it has been prepared for the purposes of this Act.

(5) The fisheries policy authorities must comply with subsections (1) to (4) before the end of the period of two years beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.

(6) In this Act “fisheries management plan” means a document, prepared and published under this Act, that sets out policies designed to restore one or more stocks of sea fish to, or maintain them at, sustainable levels.

(7) For provision under which certain policies of the Secretary of State that would otherwise be required by subsection (1)(a) to be set out in a JFS may be set out instead in a separate document, see section 4.