AUTHORS: Saskia Richartz

Titled ‘EU Nature Conservation Policy and UK Inshore Fishing: Overview of Issues’, this is the first in a series of IEEP briefings, examining key provisions of EU nature conservation policy set out in the habitats and birds Directives, and how these relate to the UK inshore fishing sector (ie within 12 nm). It gives a general introduction, exploring the main provisions. The habitats and birds Directives have potentially far-reaching implications for various economic sectors, and the fisheries sector is no exception. The purpose of these briefings is to outline the possible consequences for the UK inshore fishing sector. In due course, the briefings will be followed by good practice examples from the UK and other European countries, demonstrating innovative ways of managing fisheries in support of EU nature conservation policy.