Date published: 3 July 2025. Image: nidirect.gov.uk
Period of Consultation: 3 Jul 2025 – Closes 11 Sep 2025
Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir has launched a public consultation on policy proposals for the forthcoming Fisheries and Water Environment Bill.
With Northern Ireland’s sea, river and lake ecosystems experiencing pressures from environmental change, fishing activity and habitat disturbance, the Bill refreshes regulations under The Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 to ensure they keep pace with changes in other parts of the UK.
During the consultation, members of the public are being asked for their views on a range of policy proposals designed to support a vibrant, profitable and sustainable sector, underpinned by healthy ecosystems, resilient fish populations and well-managed aquatic habitats.
The Bill also aims to establish a consistent regime across marine and inland fisheries, ensuring that ecosystem health is prioritised and that fish stocks are maintained or restored to sustainable levels.
Minister Muir said:
“The new Fisheries and Water Environment Bill will introduce policies aimed at protecting fisheries, the aquatic environment, and public health.
“Modernising the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966 is an opportunity to provide a legislative framework that sets fisheries and aquaculture management within an ecosystem-based context and supports integrated management.
“I would encourage all interested parties to share their views on the proposals before the deadline on 11th September.”
Link to the public consultation(external link opens in a new window / tab).
Why Make a Submission?
The Department relies heavily on the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 (the 1966 Act) as a key piece of primary legislation which guides the work in relation to fishing and fisheries. However, 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. The 1966 Act focuses on the protection of fisheries, without fully considering the wider ecosystem, species interactions, environmental changes or other stressors that are necessary to be fully aligned with the ecosystem-based approach and the principles of sustainable development.
A new Fisheries and Water Environment Bill is needed to modernise and give effect to Northern Ireland’s fisheries policies so that these are consistent with the fisheries management framework provided by the UK Fisheries Act 2020.
The consultation for the new Bill outlines a range of policy proposals to be incorporated into the new legislation. These are designed to support a vibrant, profitable, and sustainable sector, underpinned by healthy ecosystems, resilient fish populations, and well-managed aquatic habitats.
Why your views matter
We would encourage you to respond to the consultation as this will provide us with a better understanding of your views on the proposed policies for the Fisheries and Water Environment Bill.
Notes to editors:
- The public consultation on the draft Fisheries and Water Environment Bill is open for 10 weeks.
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