Fishing leaders: 'Overwhelming support' for UK controlling its seas

By The Newsroom
Published 17th Jan 2018, 06:39 BST
Updated 17th Jan 2018, 07:45 BST
A fishing boat anchored as the sun risesA fishing boat anchored as the sun rises
A fishing boat anchored as the sun rises
Almost eight out of 10 people want the UK to quit Europe's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) immediately or soon after Brexit, a survey has suggested.

The research was carried out for the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF), who said it showed "overwhelming public support" for the UK to resume control of the country's fishing grounds as close as possible to the date of Brexit, rather than at the end of a transition period.

A YouGov survey found 79% of those who expressed an opinion agreed with this, while 15% thought it would be better to wait until the end the two year transition, and 6% wanted to remain in the CFP.

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Pollsters questioned 1,631 people over January 11 and 12 for the research, which also found 63% of Remain voters wanted fishing to revert to UK control immediately after Brexit or after a short bridging period.

More than three quarters (79%) of those expressing an opinion said the UK should have full control over how much fish can be caught in British waters, with 17% saying the country should continue to stick to EU rules on this, while 4% did not know.

The SFF published the results of the survey as talks continue with the UK Government