The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) has told Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie that catching opportunities for haddock and langoustine (Nephrops) must not be compromised by the introduction of increased effort controls for cod for next year.
At an industry stakeholder meeting in Musselburgh, the SFF outlined some of its main concerns prior to the key end-of-the year period when catch allocations and fisheries control plans are agreed for 2007.
The Federation pointed out that cod is no longer a target species for the Scottish fleet, huge efforts had been made to reduce the bycatch and that any move by the EC to impose stricter effort controls as part of a perceived attempt to reduce cod by-catch would have serious implications for boats fishing for mainstay species such as haddock and langoustine.
There are also early indications that the cod stock is showing signs of stabilisation, and with the Cod Recovery Plan due for review next year, it would make more sense to roll-over the current regime into 2007 rather than implement wholesale changes.
Bertie Armstrong, SFF chief executive, said: “We emphasised that as well as the importance of achieving a good result in the forthcoming EU/Norway talks for species such as haddock, herring and mackerel, it is equally important that Scotland gets a good deal with the EC on regional effort control in fisheries connected with cod.”
Other key priorities over the coming months will be the long-term management of the North Sea haddock stock as well as achieving a good deal on quotas and effort limits on deepwater species and monkfish (anglerfish).
