The Fishing Daily Podcast – Series 5, Episode 05
Tune into an exceptionally revealing episode of The Fishing Daily Podcast, where host Oliver McBride engages in a candid and essential dialogue with Mike Cohen, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) about the existential crisis in the English fishing caused by Government failures
The UK’s fishing industry is grappling with a trifecta of crises: a contentious post-Brexit fisheries deal, a fierce public relations battle over bottom trawling, and the relentless encroachment of offshore wind farms and marine protected areas. In a revealing interview on The Fishing Daily Podcast, Mike Cohen, CEO of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO), delivered a scathing critique of government policy, warning of dire consequences for the nation’s coastal communities and food security.
Cohen began by expressing “huge disappointment” with the government’s decision to extend the current EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement’s (TCA) fisheries access arrangements until 2038, a move he described as a “shameful” failure. He argued that a critical opportunity to secure tangible benefits for British fishermen, by leveraging access to UK waters in a manner similar to Norway’s successful strategy, was “given away for nothing very tangible.” The NFFO chief highlighted the unfulfilled promise of a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, stating that what was achieved was merely “an agreement to start talks” within restrictive terms that offer minimal advantage to the UK fishing sector, providing “next to nothing for the nation” and “no benefit to the fishing industry” directly.
Dismissing ministerial claims that the deal provided valuable market access, Cohen asserted that any benefits would disproportionately favour the agriculture sector or niche areas like live bivalve molluscs, not the wild capture sector. He further elaborated on the economic realities, explaining that any minor reductions in export costs are unlikely to translate into improved prices for fishermen, as European importers and consumers would rightfully expect to share in these savings. Cohen voiced significant concern over the clandestine and expedited nature of the deal, characterising it as “done in a tearing hurry in the most bare bones behind the scenes way,” notably lacking parliamentary oversight or a clear quid pro quo. This administrative decision, he contended, fundamentally undermined the previously agreed upon annual renegotiation clause for 2026, effectively reverting to a 1970s-era “free access” agreement for EU vessels in UK waters—a “bitter pill to swallow” for the industry.
The conversation then shifted to the contentious issue of bottom trawling, which has faced intense public scrutiny following high-profile environmental documentaries. Cohen vehemently challenged the factual accuracy of these portrayals, describing the cinematic depictions as “shocking stuff” and “entertainment” with a narrative that misrepresents modern fishing practices. He suggested that some footage might be “mocked up” or strategically filmed to “maximise the damage” and create a false impression of widespread indiscriminate destruction. Cohen underscored that modern bottom trawling is a “licenced activity that’s incredibly heavily regulated and monitored,” conducted by generations of fishermen in traditional areas. He lambasted the government for seemingly capitulating to external pressures for “quick wins,” pointing to the alarming instance of an “American-owned lobbying organisation Oceana” being quoted on a government website, seemingly “announcing government policy” and prejudging public consultations aimed at banning trawling in protected areas. Cohen warned that this trend of “governing the clicks” on social media rather than being driven by scientific evidence is “very dangerous” for the entire industry. He also highlighted that the well-funded campaigns against bottom trawling operate as a “business model,” suggesting that if this method is successfully banned, these organisations will simply “turn to something else” to secure continued funding, irrespective of the scientific basis.
Finally, Cohen raised alarm bells over the escalating “spatial squeeze” threatening the very existence of the UK fishing fleet, a result of proliferating Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and offshore wind farms (OWFs). He revealed that the NFFO’s “worst case scenario” projections for spatial exclusion from just a few years ago now appear “laughably naive” due to the rapid pace of marine closures. With 38% of UK seas already designated as protected areas, coupled with proposals to industrialise 10% of the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone for energy production and the government’s intention to offset OWF harm by creating new MPAs with fishing bans, the industry faces unprecedented challenges. Cohen challenged the narrative that OWFs bring substantial local economic benefits, citing Grimsby—the largest OWF operations and maintenance hub outside of China—which paradoxically remains “the poorest town in Britain and it’s getting poorer,” with highly skilled jobs often going to foreign engineers. He powerfully argued that this spatial pressure is actively “displacing” centuries-old local fishing industries, stripping “skilled work” from small businesses and leading to the “depopulation” and decline of coastal communities. The interview concluded with a fervent plea for the government to adopt a coherent, long-term strategic vision for marine space, highlighting the severe and often overlooked impact on the mental health and well-being of fishing communities, whose livelihoods, cultural heritage, and identity are under immense threat.
The NFFO continues to advocate for a more balanced approach to marine spatial planning that genuinely considers the socio-economic and cultural contributions of the fishing industry.