Westminster Food & Nutrition Keynote Seminar: Fishing and the marine environment 2010

Recent disputes over mackerel quotas have raised important concerns about the future of the fishing industry. The effects of overfishing on conservation, appropriate quota setting and the adequacy of EU regulation are all in question as UK fishermen contemplate an uncertain future.

As the European Commission moves towards reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in 2012, this seminar will take a broad look at the approaches that the fishing industry and policy makers can take to conserve marine biodiversity for the future, whilst meeting the needs of the fishing industry and consumer demands for a wide range of fish and seafood products on UK shelves and menus. Planned sessions consider the role of the food and restaurant sectors in conserving fish stocks, including the role of consumer guidance and labelling, and will examine whether advice on eating fish as part of a healthy diet is at odds with the need to preserve a healthy marine ecosystem.

Following the recent publication of the draft UK Marine Policy Statement, described by Defra as "a radical new way of managing our seas", the agenda includes an update on moving forward the Marine and Coastal Access Act, as well as developing an effective framework for marine planning to promote sustainable development in the marine area.