Scotland’s fishing fleet will suffer an overall net loss in the value of catch available to it in 2016 following the latest end-of-year quota talks in Brussels.
There is some justified cause for celebration within the industry after Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead fended off a couple of potentially severe blows.
And he highlighted a £25million boost in the value of quota available to the white-fish sector, mainly as the result of North Sea deals agreed in previous talks between the EU and Norway.
But all the pluses and minuses add up to a £600,000 net loss to the industry next year, largely due to a swingeing 15% cut in quota for mackerel – Scotland’s most valuable commercial species.
There was anger within the UK negotiating team – led by Fishing Minister George Eustice – and among industry chiefs over a shock blue whiting deal struck with Norway at the 11th hour.
Supported by Ireland and Germany, UK politicians and their officials complained of a “lack of transparency” and “disregard of due formal process”.
They also demanded assurances that all aspects of future negotiations and agreements would be open for genuine negotiation and review.
Mr Lochhead played a key role in rescuing the west of Scotland herring fishery, which had seemed doomed after scientists recommended a zero catch.
He was also pleased to stave off a move to split up the North Sea prawn fishery, which would have been disadvantageous to Scotland.
And he used the talks to highlight Scottish concerns about the cod recovery plan and access arrangements for Faroese boats.
Mr Lochhead said the gains for white-fish after years of savage cuts in quota and days at sea were an “impressive” reward for the fleet.
But the surprise deal on blue whiting, which results in Norway getting a disproportionate share of the shared quota, left a “bitter taste in the mouth” he added.
Among the quotas either agreed or rubber-stamped in the early hours of yesterday, there were big increases for North Sea haddock and cod – 30% and 15% respectively
Haddock will also receive an additional “uplift” of 17.3% to help the fleet cope with managing the looming discard ban.
North Sea herring, monkfish and megrim are up by 16, 20% and 26% respectively, while west coast prawns gain 16%.
North Sea whiting and lemon sole quotas remain the same, whilst there was a 23% drop for North Sea prawns.