Ms Attwooll, who is vice-chair of the Committee, said: “I am delighted that the Report has been so overwhelmingly approved. It shows that the Committee recognises the need for reform of current management policy and considers debate on rights-based management tools as an important contribution in this regard.

"The Report details the concerns of the many different stakeholders about the possible effects of engaging in some forms of rights-based management. It questions whether the same form would be appropriate for all types of fishery, drawing particular attention to the situation of small-scale coastal fleets. At the same time, it acknowledges the role that certain types of rights-based management can play in improving economic efficiency, whilst adding a note of caution about too great a concentration of ownership of these rights.

"It asks the Commission to conduct a full and thorough study before making any recommendations. Rights-based management tools have their merits, but we need to research the different kinds of systems, some of which are already in use in the UK, and to take up the debate again once their advantages and disadvantages are better understood."

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