The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) has said that it is time for recognition to be given to the sacrifices made by the Scottish fleet in reducing discards and conserving fish stocks, in the form of increased catching opportunities.
In recent weeks a number of fishermen have contacted the SFF regarding the large numbers of cod and other fish being caught - and the SFF believes that this stock recovery must result in rewards for fishermen in the future.
SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong said that the Scottish fleet has shrunk in size and pioneered initiatives to reduce discards and conserve stocks, including developing new designs of trawls and real-time areas closures to protect nursery grounds.
“The results are now only too evident with fishermen reporting a dramatic surge in the amount of fish on the grounds,” said Mr Armstrong. “This is, of course, welcome news, but it is vital that the Scottish and UK Governments, along with the European Commission, recognise that the sacrifices made by our fishermen should be rewarded with increased catching opportunities to reflect the true status of the stocks. This is particularly important, given the impending introduction of a discards ban and an obligation for fishermen to land all their fish.”
