Overfishing of North Sea may reduce after MEPs vote on fishing quotas

Defra welcomes European vote which aims to secure long-term sustainability of North Sea fish stocks

The European parliament has voted on a series of measures likely to reduce overfishing in the North Sea which will affect the UK's fishing fleet until Brexit takes effect and potentially beyond.

The vote ensures that there will be limits to fishing quotas so that they cannot exceed levels regarded as sustainable by scientists. The outcome had been in doubt as MEPs voted on Thursday, but several amendments aimed at watering down the proposals were rejected.