A coalition of the UK’s most influential environmental campaigners, including the Marine Conservation Society based in Ross-on-Wye, has joined forces in asking the public to back their call to Environment Secretary, Michael Gove.

They are demanding that he ensures that post-Brexit management of our fisheries isn’t compromised by a lack of sustainability objectives in plans for fisheries management. The coalition is clear that management must deliver for our seas and all of their amazing wildlife, as well as for fish stocks.

The Marine Conservation Society, ClientEarth, Greenpeace, New Economics Foundation, RSPB, Sustain and WWF say the public can help to ensure that our exit from the European Union will not leave our fisheries and fish stocks floundering by taking part in the Government’s public consultation which is open now and runs until September 12th.

The #maynotcontainfish campaign enables members of the public to send an email to Michael Gove outlining the top priorities for the new Fisheries Bill. It demands that the management of UK fisheries post-Brexit is not compromised by a lack of ambition on sustainability. Posters and digital billboards across the UK will feature iconic seascapes with a stark warning: “Caution may not contain fish”.

The group says that Mr Gove must understand that ’fisheries’ are not just about fish stocks but the wider marine ecosystem, and everything and everyone relying on its health. The email highlights the six areas the group says the new Fisheries Bill must include to achieve world leading fisheries management: Holistic, Sustainable, Science-led, Accountable, Fair and Equivalent.

Samuel Stone, Head of Fisheries and Aquaculture at MCS: "The outcomes from this consultation will shape how our fisheries are managed long into the future. The Government is listening, and we need to make sure we all tell the Environment Secretary that our fisheries must be better managed and must be sustainable.

“If we take this opportunity and get the new Fisheries Bill right, it will pave the way for larger, healthy fish stocks, less impact on our seas, profitable fishing communities and the country becoming synonymous with sustainable seafood. We have a long way to go, but we are at a pivotal moment and this consultation and resulting Fisheries Bill will provide a critical platform for all future fisheries management.”