Open consultation The Fisheries and Water Environment Bill

Summary

The Minister of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has today launched a consultation on the policies to inform the development of a Fisheries and Water Environment Bill. The consultation will run for 10 weeks from 3rd July to 11th September 2025. The primary method for responses is online via Citizen Space.

Documents

• Fisheries and Water Environment Bill – Consultation Document Adobe PDF (2 MB)
• Fisheries and Water Environment Bill – SEA Environmental Report Adobe PDF (1 MB)
• Fisheries and Water Environment Bill – Impact Assessment Screening Pack Adobe PDF (554 KB)
• Fisheries and Water Environment Bill – Equality Screening Impact Assessment Adobe PDF (534 KB)
• Fisheries and Water Environment Bill – Regulatory Impact Assessment Adobe PDF (269 KB)
• Fisheries and Water Environment Bill – Rural Needs Act NI – Impact Assessment Adobe PDF (318 KB)
• Fisheries and Water Environment Bill – Consultation Summary Adobe PDF (374 KB)
• Fisheries and Water Environment Bill – Glossary Adobe PDF (183 KB)

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Consultation description

The UK fisheries policy authorities have committed to working together to support a vibrant, profitable, and sustainable fishing and aquaculture sector supported by a healthy marine environment that is resilient to climate change.

The Department continues to apply the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 (the 1966 Act), which is relatively dated primary legislation.

Our seas, rivers and lakes are precious natural assets that are integral to our livelihoods, culture and the economy. The issues relating to fisheries and the water environment have changed significantly since the 1966 Act was introduced and some of the terminology and assumptions within it no longer reflect the policy and legislative landscape.

A new Fisheries and Water Environment Act is required; one that fully considers the wider ecosystem, species interactions, environmental changes and other stressors that are necessary to be fully aligned with the ecosystem-based approach and the principles of sustainable development.

All documents associated with the consultation can be found at the top of this page.

To share your views on the proposed Fisheries and Water Environment Bill please click on the link below.