England’s under-10 metre and non-sector fleets have received quota donations worth almost £600,000.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has negotiated quota donations from English Producer Organisations as, under the EU quota system, there is a limited ability to bank up to 10% of any unused quotas for certain stocks over from one year to the next.
This means that for key stocks such as sole, cod, haddock and pollack the MMO has been able to bank forward from 2012 into 2013 the full amounts possible, making extra quota available in 2013 for fishermen.
The MMO’s Head of Fisheries Management, Martyn Youell, said, “Our quota managers work hard to ensure fisheries stay open as long as possible during the year.
“This extra quota will help towards ensuring fisheries can stay open for the whole year as well as helping allow higher catch limits in some cases. By securing quota from English Producer Organisations we are delighted to be able to offer such large-scale benefits for the fleet, and will continue to look for similar agreements in the future.
“We would also like to thank the producer organisations who released this extra quota for the U10m and non sector fleets.”
