The British government has announced that it will relax immigration requirements for fishing industry jobs in order to alleviate a labor shortfall in the industry.
The government said that fishers, skippers, and expert deckhands on large vessels will be added to a list of occupations with a labor shortage.
The decision implements a recommendation by an independent board which looks at the impact of migration on the labour market.
The government in a statement said It is not the purpose of the immigration system to provide a source of workers at pay and conditions which are not attractive to resident workers.
The new rules will come into effect later this year and will lower visa costs and reduce the minimum salary required.
The fishing industry is often seen as a bellwether for the success of Brexit, having loudly supported the cause in the run up to the 2016 referendum. Many have subsequently said exit negotiations had actually left them worse off, with fewer foreign workers and more red tape on exports.
The change comes at a time when immigration is high on the political agenda with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledging to reduce overall legal migration, but with data due later this week expected to show a sharp rise and the government tightening restrictions in other areas.
Britain is suffering a broad shortage of workers which the Bank of England has said it worries could be contributing to a rise in inflation.
