Rise in TACs but threat to ‘days at sea’

SCOTTISH fishermen leaders have welcomed the outcome of the bilateral EU/Norway negotiations which have resulted in an increase of quotas for a number of shared fish stocks.

However, Scottish fishermen are still facing the very real threat of further reductions in the number of days they can go out to fish the allocated quota.

The total allowable catch for North Sea herring will double to 405,000 tonnes, while the TACs for key whitefish stocks will also rise:

• Whiting: +15 per cent

• Cod: -1 per cent (however an extra amount up to 12 per cent of the TAC is available for those vessels in the catch quota scheme)

• Haddock: +15 per cent.

The TAC for saithe has been reduced by 15 per cent.

Meanwhile, protracted negotiations to find a solution to the ongoing dispute between the EU, Norway, Faroe and Iceland over quotas for Northeast Atlantic mackerel will go into another round in Ireland, on Monday

The president of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, Alan Coghill, said on Friday that the outcome of the EU/Norway talks was “positive” for the Scottish fleet.

“We are particularly pleased that the continuation of the catch quota scheme will provide an element of much needed relief to some of our fishermen.

“However, our prawn and whitefish fleets are still facing the very real threat of big reductions in the number of days they can go to sea, which will be decided at the crucial EC Fish Council talks later this month.

“It is imperative that these scandalous proposals are ditched, given the severe hardship they would impose upon our fishermen.”

Fisheries secretary Richard Lochhead added: “Following a week of intense negotiations, we now have a deal in place for 2012 which sees a welcome rise in quotas for a number of key Scottish stocks. 

“North Sea Herring quota – a stock that is MSC certified for Scottish landings – is set to more than double, while North Sea haddock and whiting quotas will also increase by 15 per cent.

“It’s critical that we stick to robust scientific advice when setting these quotas, which is the only way to support sustainable fisheries.

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