News - NFFO

Port Visit for New Minister

5 August 2026

Newly reappointed Fisheries Minister Stephen Morgan MP visited the fishing industry in Newlyn this week. He received a warm welcome, a thorough grounding in the issues facing our industry, and some fantastic local seafood courtesy of the CFPO and the NFFO, who jointly hosted the Minister and his team. Local MP Andrew George joined the visit as well and helped to show the Minister around one of England’s busiest fishing ports.

Annual Fisheries Negotiations 2025 – A mixed bag with far-reaching implications

24 December 2025

Several worst-case scenarios have been avoided, but the unexpected inclusion of technical measures brings with it much uncertainty.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FISHERMEN’S ORGANISATION – 48TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

23 December 2025

The 48th NFFO AGM was held on board HMS Belfast, London on 4th December 2025 Members of the NFFO Executive Committee, along with guests from all parts of the industry, met on board HMS Belfast to review the past year and to look forward to 2026.

NFFO Meets New Fisheries Minister at Critical Juncture for UK Fishing

24 October 2025

The NFFO Executive met with newly appointed Food Security Minister Angela Eagle at DEFRA’s London offices this week, marking an important introduction at a pivotal moment for UK fishing.

MPAs and Fishing – The Moment of Truth

3 October 2025

Will our new ministers seize the opportunity to reset relations with fishermen, or will it be even more bad news for our coastal communities?

New ICES Cod Advice Highlights Flaws in the System

29 September 2025

New advice from ICES for a zero TAC in the iconic North Sea cod fishery is bound to capture headlines, […]

NFFO data gathering to respond to MPA Gear Ban

7 August 2025

On 9 June 2025, DEFRA and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) launched a 12-week online consultation proposing new byelaws to prohibit bottom-trawling and, in some cases, static gears (like traps and nets) in an additional 30,000 km² of English waters. This would expand total bottom-trawling restrictions to about 48,000 km². The proposed byelaws are tailored to each Marine Protected Area’s (MPA) specific habitat sensitivities (e.g., sandbanks, gravel beds, muds) and species protection needs.

Spatial Squeeze Working Group: joint statement – next steps

23 July 2025

Where Will Our Fishers Still Be Allowed to Fish? A Joint Statement from the Belgian, Dutch, French, and UK Fishing Sectors on Stage 3 MPAs

Back to the Future

22 May 2025

A new deal with the EU drags UK fishing back into a past we thought had been left behind, as fishing communities’ prospects are traded away yet again.

NFFO comment on 19th May UK-EU ‘reset’ summit

19 May 2025

The NFFO is very disappointed with today’s deal and its impact on fishermen and their communities.

UK/EU Fishing Talks: Here we go again…

14 May 2025

Once again, an agreement is being negotiated between the EU and the UK on fisheries and the rumours are swirling.

Ocean with David Attenborough: A Challenge

9 May 2025

The new film narrated by Sir David Attenborough has some important things to say, but some equally important things should be added to it.

Voice from the Quayside

4 April 2025

The NFFO have conducted port visits in Norfolk and East Anglia and ports in the Devon and Cornwall to hear directly from the fishermen what their highest priorities are and what challenges they are facing.

Demands and Threats from the EU over Access to UK Waters Deserve a Firm but Measured Response

28 March 2025

As we approach the time when Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and the EU with be reviewed, the rhetoric around the upcoming negotiations is becoming increasingly heated. We shouldn’t take it all too seriously.

It’s all a load of Pollacks

10 February 2025

A recent meeting of the Southwest Regional Fishing Group highlighted how fisheries are still facing huge challenges with the lack of access to pollack, a mainstay of many fleet sectors.

New MPAs Will Compensate for Damage from Offshore Wind – and Fishing is in the Firing Line Again.

29 January 2025

A Ministerial Statement by Emma Hardy MP, Minister for Water and Flooding, has set out the Government’s plans to expand the UK’s MPA network, to make up for environmental damage caused by offshore wind farms.

Annual Negotiations Underway

12 November 2024

The first week of the annual fisheries negotiations between the UK and our neighbours is over and it is clear that there is still a long way to go before the various deals are concluded that will determine the prospects of our industry for the coming year. The crucial issue is, of course, determining the level of exploitation that each stock can support. It’s a simple enough concept, but the decision is seldom straightforward.

Young Fishermen Network

4 November 2024

The average age of a fisherman in the UK is 55. Sadly, overtime there has been a steady decline of new entrants into the industry. This is a global issue and a very real challenge for the UK fishing fleet. Matilda Phillips, explains more about the work being done by the the Young Fishermen Network, based in Cornwall.

Fail to plan: plan to fail

14 October 2024

NFFO Chief Executive Mike Cohen argues that we need a plan for our seas and a strategy for developing the fishing industry’s place in them.

The Crown Estate’s Marine Routemap: the Rush to Develop Offshore Power

17 September 2024

This week, the Crown Estate has laid out its vision and priorities for the future of Britain's seas and it is clear that wind farm development is paramount. The rush to industrialise the marine environment is picking up pace. Meaningful dialogue with genuine stakeholders is the only thing that can prevent harm to the fishing industry and coastal communities.

Celtic Sea Offshore Wind Development Picks up Pace

19 August 2024

Improvements seen in offshore wind farm planning, but the difficult conversations haven’t started yet.

Secretary of State for the Environment, Steve Reed OBE MP

1 August 2024

At a swelteringly hot event in London last night, Secretary of State for the Environment Steve Reed gave a speech setting out his priorities for the department where he has recently taken the reins. He laid out his five key priorities (cleaning up rivers, lakes and the sea; working towards a zero waste economy; boosting food security through support for producers; speeding up nature recovery; accelerating flood defence construction) and set these within the context of the Prime Minister's core commitment to promoting economic growth. He was explicit in identifying support for fishers as an important part of that and emphasised partnership working and collaboration to deliver change.

NFFO representatives meet new Minister

12 July 2024

Newly appointed Defra Minister Daniel Zeichner came to Brixham this week and the NFFO was there to greet him.

Expectation vs Reality: when the campaigning stops, the hard work needs to start.

24 June 2024

NFFO Chief Executive Mike Cohen makes some suggestions for the next government