UK fights fishing quota cuts for a second day

Britain, Germany and France were battling last night against plans to cut cod fishermen’s days at sea to just four a fortnight next year.

UK Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon said he was grateful for the support as the annual EU fishing negotiations went into a second day.

Mr Benyon said the ministers were locked in talks on how to differentiate between cuts in days at sea for cod fishing off the west of Scotland when haddock – for which big quota increases are on the cards – swim in the same waters.

He warned that the reductions planned by the European Commission would be disastrous for UK fleets, but said he was making progress in reversing the plan.

“I am pleased we have managed to get our arguments understood, with support of the French and Germans and others.

“The fact is that, if these proposals go through, the reductions in the number of days fishermen can go to sea will make it impossible for them to catch their share of next year’s fishing quotas, which in some cases have actually increased. It doesn’t make sense.”

The Commission insists all its plans, fishing restrictions and quota limits, are based on the latest available scientific advice on the state of stocks.

But the cuts in days at sea to further preserve cod stocks could hinder vessels accessing cod fishing regions where other whitefish species are plentiful.

Mr Benyon said: “Where stocks are shown to be healthy, our fishermen should be allowed to catch more.”