For too long, UK waters and coastal communities have been allowed to decline. Join us to call for a bold new vision that rebuilds a thriving British fishing industry, invests properly in our coastal communities, and restores our waters so they can sustain both livelihoods and wildlife for generations to come. britain’s waters and coastal communities need reform
As a proud island nation with over 17,000 km of coastline that is home to more than 8.7 million people — the fifth largest marine estate in the world when factoring in our Overseas Territories, and a rich fisheries and maritime heritage — the ocean should be at the heart of political and economic thinking.
Yet despite its critical role, we've seen time and again policymakers in Westminster ignore the needs of our coastal communities, who have faced decades of decline in a wide range of areas, such as employment, education, transport, and health. A prime example is Blackpool, once a thriving hub of British tourism, now with the worst health statistics in England and the worst deaths of despair from causes such as drugs, alcohol, and suicide.
We've seen this same decline play out in our waters themselves. Once abundant, and home to a thriving British fishing industry, they're now under strain — with local fishers whose family businesses go back generations coming back to port with less and less, struggling to make a living. This is compounded by a completely unfair distribution of quota, where inshore British fishers are squeezed out further still — all while we allow foreign super trawlers to tear through our territorial waters.
We at Reform UK Friends of the Ocean say enough and that it's time for a bold new vision — one that rebuilds a thriving British fishing industry, invests properly in our coastal communities as any proud island nation should, and restores our waters so they can sustain both livelihoods and wildlife for generations to come.
our campaigns
Learn more about our campaigns for a bold new vision — one that rebuilds a thriving British fishing industry, invests in our coastal communities, and restores our waters so they can sustain both livelihoods and wildlife for generations to come.
our patrons
We are proud to work with Reform UK Members of Parliament who share our commitment to reforming British waters and coastal communities. Their leadership ensures ocean and coastal priorities finally get the political voice they deserve.
Our Ocean Council
Learn more about our Ocean Council, a first-of-its-kind network of Reform UK councillors from across the UK, championing local coastal voices and ocean priorities within the heart of local government decision-making.
If you share our belief that Britain's waters and coastal communities deserve better, and want to play a leading role in delivering that change, we want to hear from you. There are a number of ways to get involved:
Become a member — join our grassroots network and help build support in your area
Join the Ocean Council — for Reform UK local councillors looking to champion ocean and coastal issues in local government
Support our work — help fund the campaign for reforming UK waters and coastal communities
Partner with us — explore working together on an event or initiative
Please complete the form and the Reform UK Friends of the Ocean team will be in touch shortly.