Committee publication · Correspondence · 3 March 2026

Correspondence from National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations relating to skilled workers visas, dated 20 February 2026

From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Inquiry: Fisheries and the marine environment

Summary

The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations writes to the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Committee expressing serious concern about the removal of sector-specific visa arrangements for foreign workers in the UK fishing industry. The letter argues that sudden restrictions risk widespread business collapse, redundancies, and disruption to supply chains and port infrastructure, and contests the Home Office's justifications around worker exploitation and visa access.

Key findings

Removal of sector-specific visas poses a 'very widespread threat' to fishing business sustainability due to high interdependency across fleet segments and reliance on foreign workers.
Fishing industry claims unfair criticism of visa uptake: some businesses used existing routes and complied with Home Office requirements; others were mid-process when routes became unavailable.
Domestic recruitment efforts face systemic barriers: 16–18 education requirements prevent young people entering fishing trades; no current apprenticeship providers exist; opportunity cost deters career switches.
Enhanced English language proficiency requirements for remaining visa routes are unjustified for deckhand roles and have no conceivable occupational basis.
NFFO disputes Home Office claims of disproportionate worker exploitation in fishing; no evidence of higher prosecutions for labour offences compared to other sectors.

Tone

Adversarial

Topics

immigration-policyskilled-workersfishing-industrylabour-supplycoastal-economy

Key actors

National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO), Mike Cohen (NFFO Chief Executive), Alistair Carmichael MP (EFRA Committee Chair), Minister Tapp (Home Office), Home Office

Notable line

“Without sufficient time to adapt, suddenly barring foreign workers is likely to cause the collapse of businesses that depend on them.”

Key Quotes

“Without sufficient time to adapt, suddenly barring foreign workers is likely to cause the collapse of businesses that depend on them. Their many other, British, employees will be made redundant; supply chains will be disrupted; and the continued viability of port infrastructure will be seriously endangered.”
— Mike Cohen, Chief Executive, National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations · On the consequences of removing sector-specific visa arrangements

“It is hardly reasonable to move the goalposts and then blame the players for not scoring fast enough.”
— Mike Cohen, Chief Executive, National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations · Responding to criticism that fishing businesses did not use existing visa routes quickly enough

“Fishermen need to be hard working, brave and skilful: they are very seldom required to write essays.”
— Mike Cohen, Chief Executive, National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations · On the requirement for enhanced English language proficiency for remaining visa routes

“The advent of the Fishing and Coastal Growth fund looked likely finally to provide the means to develop and enact our ambitions to improve domestic recruitment. Simultaneously, however, immigration policy looks likely to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.”
— Mike Cohen, Chief Executive, National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations · On conflicting government policy signals regarding fishing industry development

“I have not seen data that demonstrates a disproportionate number of prosecutions for labour offenses by fishing businesses. Unless that is in fact the case, the Home Office's comments in this regard seem unjustified.”
— Mike Cohen, Chief Executive, National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations · Contesting Home Office claims about worker exploitation in fishing

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗