Most of the key objectives were achieved for the Scottish fishing industry following the conclusion last week of the second round of EU/Norway talks to finalise catching opportunities for shared stocks.
Commenting on the pelagic outcome, Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, said: “The increase in the North Sea herring is to be welcomed, which is the result of careful and sustainable harvesting by our fishing fleet. We are disappointed, however, that there was a 30,000t transfer of blue whiting from the EU to Norway, as this is fish that Scottish processing factories could have benefited from, although the amount of fish transferred was less than the Norwegians were wanting.”
