Why the UK eschewed EU demands for CFP continuity.

Chapter 20 of the CPTPP is the Multinational Environmental Agreement, a.k.a the MEA. (The link is in the overview section). 

The EU wished to link a trade deal with EU access to UK fishing. They were, of course aware of the UK intention to accede to CPTPP.

They also know that it is a requirement of CPTPP membership that the UK must sign up to the MEA, requiring the monitoring of marine harvest and affected species with annual reports.

The UK was bound not to agree, therefore, with the EU position on EEZ access, as it would block UK accession. The EU were aware of this and it was indeed their aim to block our accession. The UK was never going to trade off future accession to and influence in the Asia-Pacific, nor control of UK fisheries, for an FTA with the EU.

The fisheries 2019-21 UK fisheries bill..

• takes back control of the EEZ
• establishes a UK controlled quota and licensing system
• establishes penalties for infringements
• empowers enforcement

Click for the government gazette

Click for the PDF format of the bill

The bill passed third reading in the Commons. The government added some amendments. The amended bill received Royal assent 24th November 2020.