Government backs new sanctions for trawlermen

skippers face penalty points on licence for breaking rules

By Ryan Crighton

Published:

John Buchan

The Scottish Government is backing a driving licence-style points system which could see fishermen suspended or banned from sea if they persistently break the rules, the Press and Journal can reveal.

Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead says he “supports the principle” of new sanctions drawn up by the European Commission which will see skippers handed penalty points for fishing offences from 2011.

Like motorists, trawlermen will see their fishing licences endorsed every time they offend, which could then lead to more serious penalties, including bans.

While some fishing offences already carry a fixed penalty in Scotland, most skippers face fines determined by the courts – but the new rules would mean that they could be banned for anything between six months to a year after four infringements.

There is even a possibility that repeat serious offenders could lose their licences permanently.

The scheme is aimed at reducing overfishing for cod, haddock and hake in specified EU waters, and is part of a wide-ranging package of conservation measures which also includes satellite monitoring of vessels.

EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg said the current fines were not stopping some fishermen from breaking the rules, but Mr Lochhead says the Scottish fleet has “nothing to fear”.

Mr Lochhead said: “I’ve long argued that Scotland’s fishing fleets, who earn regular plaudits for their efforts in conserving vulnerable stocks, should not lose out on catch opportunities as a result of the irresponsible behaviour of other countries.

“While we support the principle of this system it is obviously very important to get the detail right. The decision to delay its implementation until 2011 to allow these detailed discussions to take place with the industry is to be welcomed.

“Scotland’s commitment to conservation on the fisheries front is unrivalled across Europe and we have nothing to fear. We are determined to continue to work alongside the industry to develop solutions that benefit everyone – fishermen, the environment and consumers.”

John Buchan, skipper of the Peterhead-registered Fairline trawler, said if the new rules stop fishermen being dragged through the courts and given criminal records then they would be welcomed.

He said: “I suspect the points will be used to punish people who make deliberate mistakes on their log sheets. I just hope there are allowances for genuine mistakes, which can happen.

“There is not enough information about this on the go yet, but if Richard Lochhead supports the principle of it, I suspect that is because it could stop skippers being unnecessarily dragged through the courts.”

Mr Borg said: “Now it has become much more difficult to get away with fishing offences. A major problem with overfishing is that certain fishers intent on beating the system can do so almost unnoticed.

“Fines and penalties used to be so insignificant that fishermen would simply include them in the cost of the operation and still make a profit if they got caught.”

The announcement of the new measures comes at a difficult time for the Scottish fishing industry, which is again facing crisis because of quota cuts being planned by Europe.

Devastating

Measures outlined by Mr Borg earlier this month in the run-up to crunch talks in December which will set fishing effort levels in European waters for 2010 have been branded as “potentially devastating”.

West coast skippers fear their grounds will be left almost unviable by plans to slash 54% off the haddock quota, reduce the cod allowance by 25% and cut the prawn catch by 15%.

In the North Sea, boats could face a quota cut of 15% for haddock, 25% for whiting and 7% for prawns, although cod quotas could increase.

Mr Borg will also push for the implementation of the cod recovery plan. It will result in 25% fewer days at sea for the west coast fleet and a 13% cut for North Sea boats.

EU fisheries ministers have their crucial quotas and regulations meetings on December 14 and 15.