Government funds NAFC fish study

THE HEALTH and size of the North Sea whiting and ling stocks will come under close scrutiny thanks to £170,000 of government funding given to the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway.

Data available on both species are very limited and often conflicting, while the demand for fish continues to grow steadily.

The college’s scientists will now analyse fishermen’s knowledge and scientific data on both stocks in the hope of providing more accurate information to the European panel that makes recommendations on future fish quota.

NAFC head of marine science and technology Martin Robinson said: “I am delighted and proud that the hard work of staff within the department has led to the funding of these projects, both because of their significance to industry but also because they were developed through direct collaboration with stakeholders.

“Partnerships of this type always offer the best value for money and impact by using fishermen’s knowledge to define highly applied research that targets problems faced by real people working within our coastal community.

“These projects really sum up why the centre is here; to provide meaningful support to industry that is practical and not purely academic.”

Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong added: “At this point in time, where the general demands on marine science have never been greater, this is just the sort of focussed, practical work that the Scottish fishing industry needs.

“All fisheries management decisions are based on science, and if this is not sound and robust, the regulations will be weak or counter-productive.  The work is very much welcomed.”