EU told of Scots fishers’ sacrifice

New EU cod recovery plan must recognise and reward our fleet, Lochhead insists

By Keith Findlay

Published:

Any new fish conservation proposals from Brussels must recognise the sacrifices already made by Scotland’s catching industry, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead insisted last night.

Fisheries ministers from around the European Union (EU) are meeting in Brussels today, tomorrow and Thursday to discuss progress on a new cod recovery plan.

Mr Lochhead, who was part of a UK delegation which met EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg in the Belgian capital yesterday, said: “Scotland has the greatest stake in the outcome on the negotiations over the future of cod stocks.

“It is absolutely vital that any new plan recognises the trailblazing success delivered by Scots fishermen over the past year and rewards their efforts.

“Cod stocks are going in the right direction – thanks to the sacrifices and commitment from our fleet.”

Mr Lochhead said he was seeking an outcome that allowed fishermen to land more of what they caught rather than have to dump marketable fish overboard.

But it also needed to promote measures to cut the amount of stock taken from the sea in the first place, he said, adding: “A ‘land more, catch less’ approach is essential.

“It is also important that any measures agreed for cod do not have unintended consequences for other stocks, given that the North Sea is a mixed fishery.”

The minister said he would keep up the pressure on Brussels over cod recovery as any further cuts in days at sea for the Scottish fleet would inflict “unjustified” economic damage.

UK Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, Mr Lochhead and Northern Ireland Fisheries Minister Michelle Gildernew used their meeting with Mr Borg to set out the UK’s priorities for next month’s Fisheries Council, when catching opportunities for 2009 will be decided.

Mr Irranca-Davies said: “I want to secure the best possible deal for the UK at December’s European fisheries negotiations; one that ensures both conservation of important fish stocks and the long-term interests of the fishing industry.”

The ministers drew Mr Borg’s attention to widespread concerns about European Commission proposals to close fishing grounds off the west coast to all but pelagic (mackerel and herring) boats.

“We agreed on the need to secure sustainability of white fish on the west coast and Commissioner Borg recognised there are a range of different ways of achieving this,” said Mr Lochhead.

He added: “While we have made initial progress, we have agreed to meet again early next month to further discuss alternative proposals for Scotland.”