‘Cliff-edge cuts’ to key fishing stocks cannot continue, MP says
SHETLAND’s MP has expressed frustration that “poor data is leading to worse outcomes for our fishermen” after cod and saithe quotas were slashed for the year ahead.
Alistair Carmichael praised the campaigning of local fishermen after their appeals lead to the worst-case scenario of a “zero-catch” North Sea cod quota were avoided.
Instead, cod quotas will be cut by 44 per cent next year, with saithe down by 25 per cent.
Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA) claimed the Shetland economy could lose more than £16 million next year as a result of the cuts to cod quotas.
Carmichael said the cuts had to be seen “for both the good and the bad in it”.
“This is clearly going to be hard economic hit for the local fleet and it is frustrating that once again poor data is leading to worse outcomes for our fishermen,” he said.
“On the positive side, it is to the credit of local fishermen and our own negotiators that this outcome is far less damaging than it might have been.
“The ‘zero catch’ recommendation from ICES could have crippled the fleet for years to come.”
The Liberal Democrat politician said it was testament to the “patient, reasoned approach” of the SFA that outcome had been avoided.
But he said the pattern of “cliff-edge cuts without clear basis” could not continue.
“The long term lesson surely has to be that all parties – UK, EU and Norway alike – must get serious about improving their scientific approach to stocks going forward.”
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