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[carolmac]

Europe urged to follow fish conservation
14/12/2009

The annual European tussle over fishing quotas gets underway today (Monday).

The outcome of this year's December Fisheries Council is set to be different from previous years, however, with final quotas for stocks such as North Sea cod and North Sea haddock not decided due to the delay in the EU-Norway talks.

Speaking from Brussels, Mr Lochhead said:

"Once again we head into these talks determined to strike the best deal for our fishermen and our seas. This Council promises another extremely tough round of negotiations set against a very challenging economic backdrop.

"They also present an additional challenge as last week's failure to conclude the EU-Norway talks means many quotas will not be finalised until those talks resume in the new year. The quota for our most valuable stock - prawns - will be decided, along with monkfish and megrim, but cod, haddock and mackerel quotas will not.

"That does not mean boats will not be able to fish in the new year. Interim arrangements will be put in place at the Council to ensure fishermen will be able to continue making a living.

"Our priority this week is to find the right balance between conserving stocks and supporting the industry. The two are not mutually exclusive - our fishermen have already shown they can lead the way on conservation and if we can find a way to let them land more of what they catch while reducing their overall fishing effort, we can reduce discards, boost profitability and help our seas."

At an event in Brussels later today Ministers, government and EU officials, key European decision makers and fishing industry representatives will hear from WWF Scotland fisheries experts about the measures being undertaken by the Scottish Government, fishing industry and NGO's in this innovative partnership to move fisheries management towards conservation. These measures include real time closures, gear regulations and trialling CCTV on board fishing boats. The presentation will be based on a new findings paper to be launched by WWF Scotland today.

Today's event is timed to coincide with the first day of EU Fisheries Council, at which WWF Scotland hopes EU Member States will agree to adopt conservation measures including proposed trials of CCTV cameras on vessels and move from landing to catch quotas in the North Sea.

Louize Hill, Marine Policy Officer at WWF Scotland said:

"Since its introduction in 2008 the Conservation Credits Scheme has played a significant role in helping stocks such as cod to recover. Its success proves the importance of governments, industry and NGO's working towards long-term management objectives in fisheries, ensuring the future sustainability of stocks and profitability of fleets. Simple measures can have huge benefits when they are implemented and enforced adequately. Having all relevant parties involved in the development of these measures has ensured they are adopted willingly."

Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

"I welcome the publication of this very positive document which is an endorsement of Scotland's leadership on fisheries conservation. WWF have been an integral part of the design and management of the Scottish Conservation Credits scheme, and have played a very valuable role in its development.

"We have already secured the European Commission's agreement to work with us to build on this pioneering scheme, whereby fleets can buy back any loss of days through adopting certain conservation measures to protect cod. Despite the economic downturn, Scotland's commitment to conservation on the fisheries front is unrivalled across Europe."

Mike Park, chief executive of the Scottish Whitefish Producers Association said:

"Conservation Credits is Scotland's own unique response to the challenge of protecting North Sea cod while it recovers to sustainable levels. Based on the principles of reward and initiative, which contrasts significantly with the traditional style of command and control, Conservation Credits has created a new understanding and awareness with Scottish fishers that they can, individually, make a difference. I am confident that Scotland's fishermen will continue to lead the way in responsible fishing practices through the development of new initiatives, and collective actions, as we move into 2010."

Bertie Armstrong, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation said:

"As the process which will reform the CFP begins, it is essential that the Scottish fishing industry and government demonstrate together that effective fisheries management measures can be developed and applied by those closest to the challenges. Continued innovation and determination is required from the industry and government and a leap of faith is required from the European Commission in delegating the essential freedom of action. Conservation Credits has shown by pioneering and introducing such selective fishing measures as real time closures and fishing gear development that effective, collaborative local action can be a blueprint for the future."

Management schemes, such as the Conservation Credits Scheme that improve the long-term sustainability of the fishing industry, are essential to increase fleet resilience. Boat owners and bankers all need predictability, a steady supply of fish and credit. Under the current regime they get neither, as has been demonstrated by the breakdown of the EU-Norway negotiations last week. This will put fishermen in a state of uncertainty and unable to plan intelligently for the coming year. The reform of the CFP is still over 3 years away, but industry cannot wait this long to see real progress. Therefore practical measures must be introduced, such as those in place under this scheme.

The December Fisheries Council is the annual round of European talks which decides Member States' quotas for fish stocks during the following year. It begins today and is expected to conclude tomorrow.

Each year, prior to December Council, talks take place between the EU and Norway to decide how much fishing will be permitted in each others' waters. These are usually concluded ahead of Council and enable quotas between EU Member States to be finalised.

This year the EU-Norway talks have not concluded which means quotas will not be finalised at Council for certain stocks. The talks are due to resume in January. However, interim arrangements will be put in place for these stocks to ensure that fishermen can still fish from January 1.

The main stocks for which quotas will be agreed at Council are:

Nephrops (aka prawns/langoustines)
West coast haddock
Monkfish
West coast cod
Megrim
The main stocks for which quotas will not be agreed at Council are:

Mackerel
North Sea haddock
North Sea cod
Herring
Based on the value of landings into Scotland in 2008, the most valuable commercial stocks are:

Nephrops (aka prawns/langoustines) 95.5 million
Mackerel 64.6 million
Haddock 32.7 million
Monkfish 28 million
Cod 16.1 million