Mixed Bag from Fish Talks

Increased quotas for keys stocks and the acceptance of Scotland's interpretation of Article 13 of the Cod Recovery Plan (CRP) have been delivered in talks that concluded at 4am on Saturday morning.

The talks also produced increased quotas for west coast haddock (200 per cent), west coast nephrops (3 per cent), north sea haddock (15 per cent), north sea whiting (15 per cent) and north sea herring (94 per cent).

Several stocks rolled over, with a number of minor reductions in others. Many of these stock changes are part of a long-term management plan.

In an important turnaround, Commissioner Damanaki confirmed that after careful consideration she had decided to accept Scotland's interpretation of article 13 of the Cod Recovery Plan and will not be proceeding with enforcing days at sea penalties on Scottish vessels.

This decision comes three weeks after the Commission had published its interpretation of the legislation which would have decimated the fleet and cost the Scottish economy £160 million.

However, the annual negotiations produced a mixed bag of results, with the Commission refusing (for legal reasons) to agree to a pause in the annual days at sea reductions that are enforced through the dysfunctional CRP.

These days can, however, be reinstated for vessels that adopt cod avoidance measures - an arrangement that can continue following the Commission's acceptance of our interpretation of the CRP.

Scotland's Fishing Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "These have been the toughest of negotiations that have delivered both significant gains but also huge frustrations.

"Scotland's fishing industry has endured three weeks of anxiety following Europe's initial decision to cut the fleet's time at sea and prevent it from catching our quotas. Now that particular threat has been lifted as a result of talks in Brussels and our fishing communities can breath a sigh of relief.

"Quotas are the lifeblood of the fleet and we have won increases for our key stocks in line with the science. There is very good news on the west coast in particular with a 200 per cent increase in haddock quota and the removal of regulations that were hurting the fleet.

"We are very disappointed that despite the call from many Member States for a pause in the annual cut in days at sea for vessels that fish in the Cod Recovery Zone, Europe pressed ahead.

"There are other ways to protect cod stocks than keeping the fleet in port and we will work with those vessels affected to ensure they remain viable.

"The Commission blamed legal obstacles for not implementing a pause but we need their promised revision of the plan as soon as possible.

"In the meantime, our Conservation Credit Scheme can allow affected vessels to top up their days at sea by adopting cod avoidance measures.

"It is also very disappointing the CFP has yet again delivered such a chaotic and confusing set of negotiations. The Commission themselves have admitted that the CFP including the Cod Recovery Plan isn't working with the lawyers running the show to the detriment of conservation and the fishing industry. Next year's reform of the Common Fisheries Policy cannot arrive soon enough.

"Scotland has always led the way in putting in place incentive-based conservation measures which will protect our fish stocks.

"We are now embarking on the next stage of our discard reduction plan and continuing our efforts on fisheries conservation. This will require the continuing co-operation and commitment of our fishermen."

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