Scottish fishermen get new deal over fishing grounds

Published on Friday 19 December 2008 14:37

A FISHING deal for the UK today averted the closure of vital west of Scotland prawn fishing grounds, and landed increased catch quotas for North Sea cod, mackerel and plaice.

The result of negotiations in Brussels on next year's EU catch quotas was hailed by UK Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies as a balanced deal which kept the industry afloat while stepping up conservation efforts and cutting waste.

The talks began yesterday with a European Commission threat to close prawn-fishing grounds which are the lifeblood of many west of Scotland and Northern Ireland fishing communities.

The Commission said action had to be taken to give whitefish stocks a "breathing space".

The only possible alternative – switching to high-tech fishing gear which nets sustainable prawn and anglerfish while releasing other depleted species back into the sea – was reached during intense talks overnight and today.

The deal saves the west of Scotland prawn fleet, but it faces a cutback in overall permitted prawn catches in 2009.

However the reduction is less than the 15% the Commission had demanded.

And, in exchange for firm pledges on improved conservation and an end where possible to the wasteful dumping of quota-busting fish back in the sea, the deal also boosts the overall UK share of main species.

In addition to a 30% increase in North Sea cod quotas – secured before the talks began – the deal offers the UK fleet 32% more mackerel, 13% more North Sea plaice and 8% more monkfish off the Scottish west coast.

Mr Irranca-Davies said: "This is a fair deal overall for the UK, balancing the needs of our fishermen to make a living with the need to protect fish stocks for the future and prevent huge amounts of what they catch having to be thrown back dead into the sea.

"Ports all over Britain will benefit, including Northern Ireland where vital prawn stocks will be safeguarded and we exercised our right to secure extra haddock and whiting for North Sea fishermen.

"I believe the measures agreed today are a significant step towards a more effective Common Fisheries Policy in future, one in which the industry and consumers can have greater confidence.