SFF leader hits out at Greenpeace cod comments

Scientists have called for North Sea fisheries for cod to be closed to allow stocks to recover.

The recommendation comes in the latest advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (Ices), which co-ordinates and promotes marine research in the North Atlantic.

Environmental group Greenpeace expressed concern yesterday that European politicians would ignore the scientists’ message when they set fishing quotas for 2009.

Willie Mackenzie, oceans campaigner for Greenpeace said: “Yet again, scientists have stressed that the only way to save decimated cod stocks is not to catch any.

“Yet politicians continually ignore the experts and, as a result, lead us towards barren oceans and a ruined fishing industry. Cod are being pushed towards extinction while fishermen are forced to chuck back half of their catch because of the farcical quota system.”

Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong said he was very disappointed, but not surprised by the standard annual response of some environmental groups.

He said it misled the public, masked the truth about the responsible, proactive Scottish industry and damaged the co-operation “which would serve us well”.

Mr Armstrong added: “There is cause for concern over the North Sea cod stocks. That is why the Scottish industry has decommissioned 65% of its white-fish boats; that is why we have for almost a year now taken the initiative of real-time closures in Scottish waters to protect juvenile, spawning and adult cod and that is why we are participating in a range of technical trials and research to avoid catching unwanted fish in the first place.”