A new EU-UK fisheries agreement has attracted criticism for granting EU trawlers 12 more years' access to UK waters. Morgiane Noel argues we should view the deal in the broader context of EU-UK carbon markets, and the green transition
On 19 May 2025, the UK and EU reached an agreement in Brussels on a bilateral framework to strengthen post-Brexit cooperation. This agreement outlines renewed commitments in trade, security, environmental standards, and scientific collaboration.
Both sides described it as a ‘reset’ in UK-EU relations, claiming it marks a step beyond the challenges raised by the UK's formal exit from the EU. In a joint statement, leaders claimed it was ‘a foundation for a more resilient and forward-looking partnership’.
However, the new deal on fishing quotas has rekindled controversy on a sensitive issue that predates Brexit. Brexit obliged the UK and EU to renegotiate access to shared fishing stocks — and fishing quotas became one of the most contentious aspects of the withdrawal process.
The UK initially demanded the EU relinquish 80% of its current catch share in British waters. The EU countered with an offer of just 15–18%, having initially sought to maintain the status quo. The two sides eventually reached a compromise: the EU would gradually return 25% of its catch share over a five-and-a-half-year transition period. This translated into an increase of less than 10% overall in the UK's share of catches from its waters. Most of these gains were concentrated on large offshore fisheries producing western mackerel and North Sea herring.
The new fisheries agreement maintains the current status quo, allowing EU boats access to UK waters until 2038
The new agreement maintains the current status quo, allowing EU boats access to UK waters until 2038. The UK will continue negotiating annual quotas, determining with the EU and Norway how much it can catch. The UK will also issue licenses to regulate who has permission to fish in its waters. A £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund will support investments in new technology and equipment.
The fishing deal grants European trawler fleets 12 years' access to UK waters. Critics have branded it a ‘horrorshow’ for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Industry leaders and political figures fear the deal will inflict long-term damage on UK fishing communities.
Inshore fisheries — those within 6−12 nautical miles of the UK coast — saw almost no increase in catch share, despite pressure from domestic groups calling for exclusive UK control over the so-called 12-mile zone. Non-quota stocks (edible crab, scallop, whelk, European lobster, pilchard) are mutually accessible in quota and nearshore zones. Unrestricted species comprise a quarter of the UK's fishing industry's value. Smaller vessels catch three times more non-quota species, despite accounting for only 1% of total UK quota catches.
The UK will still allow EU vessels to access its Exclusive Economic Zones, avoiding a hardline exclusion of EU fishing fleets that could have led to trade retaliation or maritime tensions
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) lie about 370km from a state's coastline. Vessels in these zones have the exclusive right to exploit marine resources. The UK will still allow EU vessels to access its EEZ waters, reaffirming cooperative resource sharing, and avoiding a hardline exclusion of EU fishing fleets that could have led to trade retaliation or maritime tensions.
Important to the deal is the recent linkage of the EU and UK carbon markets. This will avoid taxes on carbon-intensive goods such as steel and cement, which are essential to EU-UK trade. From an ecological perspective, the linkage of carbon markets is crucial for supporting climate cooperation at international level, and encouraging other world regions to adopt similar measures.
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) controls carbon pricing for certain goods entering the EU. It aims to prevent 'carbon leakage' by promoting cleaner production in non-EU countries. For the UK fishery sector, the CBAM could help level the playing field. Its regulations could ensure that UK fish exports to the EU are not penalised for their carbon footprint, as long as the UK maintains sustainable practices. This, in turn, would encourage investment in greener fishing technologies, and improve access to EU markets under favourable conditions.
It will be interesting to see whether EU fishermen benefit from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFAF) to help them survive the green transition toward sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
There is great potential for collaborative initiatives, such as creating shared marine conservation areas or pooling resources for cooperative funding towards decarbonisation
If Emissions Trading System (ETS) regulations include maritime fuels, such as diesel, fishing vessels will be able to apply fuel to indirect carbon pricing. Implementing increased regulatory alignment could greatly enhance UK-EU seafood trade, ultimately resulting in mutual benefits for both economies. There is great potential for collaborative sustainability initiatives, such as creating shared marine conservation areas or pooling resources for cooperative funding towards decarbonisation.
EU and UK fishermen face a complex mix of Brexit-related uncertainty and environmental transition pressures from the EU Green Deal. Although the connection between carbon markets and fishing rights may not be immediately apparent, linking these two markets signifies a larger movement towards increased regulatory cooperation. Handled effectively, this cooperation could reduce conflicts in seafood trade and harmonise environmental regulations.
Clear and concrete support for decarbonising the fishing industry, however, is still lacking. Unless specific policies are implemented to assist them, EU and UK fishermen risk being marooned in the same green transition boat.
