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Scots fishermen spared more European woe
But west coast skippers pay price after rejection of technical measures
By Keith Findlay
Published: 21/11/2009
A large chunk of Scotland’s fishing fleet was spared more woe last night when European Commission proposals for a raft of new technical measures were flatly rejected at top-level talks in Brussels.
But there was bad news for west coast skippers, who could see tough catch rules extended for a further 18 months.
The industry had faced a wave of new regulations governing landing and net mesh sizes as well as catch compositions, closed areas and fishing seasons.
Fishing leaders feared the European Commission proposals would hand more power to Brussels, stalling efforts to decentralise control under the Common Fisheries Policy.
Ministers from the UK and other countries delivered a clear message at the latest monthly Fisheries Council, telling commission officials it was trying to force through too many rules too quickly.
The UK negotiation team, led by Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, swiftly moved on to its next cause – trying to achieve a satisfactory result for Scotland’s west coast fleet after almost a year of “emergency measures” introduced as an alternative to closing fishing grounds.
But the outcome of that particular battle was “extremely disappointing”, said Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead, who branded the decision to extend the status quo, along with its complex rules, as a “serious breach of faith”.
He added: “When it became clear that the new technical conservation regulation was not going to get support from member states the commission unexpectedly proposed rolling over the existing regulation.
“This included prolonging measures on the west coast instead of them being allowed to expire – as promised to Scotland last year.”
Read more: http://www.pressandj...=#ixzz0XU4G63UY
But west coast skippers pay price after rejection of technical measures
By Keith Findlay
Published: 21/11/2009
A large chunk of Scotland’s fishing fleet was spared more woe last night when European Commission proposals for a raft of new technical measures were flatly rejected at top-level talks in Brussels.
But there was bad news for west coast skippers, who could see tough catch rules extended for a further 18 months.
The industry had faced a wave of new regulations governing landing and net mesh sizes as well as catch compositions, closed areas and fishing seasons.
Fishing leaders feared the European Commission proposals would hand more power to Brussels, stalling efforts to decentralise control under the Common Fisheries Policy.
Ministers from the UK and other countries delivered a clear message at the latest monthly Fisheries Council, telling commission officials it was trying to force through too many rules too quickly.
The UK negotiation team, led by Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, swiftly moved on to its next cause – trying to achieve a satisfactory result for Scotland’s west coast fleet after almost a year of “emergency measures” introduced as an alternative to closing fishing grounds.
But the outcome of that particular battle was “extremely disappointing”, said Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead, who branded the decision to extend the status quo, along with its complex rules, as a “serious breach of faith”.
He added: “When it became clear that the new technical conservation regulation was not going to get support from member states the commission unexpectedly proposed rolling over the existing regulation.
“This included prolonging measures on the west coast instead of them being allowed to expire – as promised to Scotland last year.”
Read more: http://www.pressandj...=#ixzz0XU4G63UY