The future of stocks of high-value plaice and sole in the North Sea continues to be a data battle ground for both scientists and the fishing industry.
Part of the problem is that there continue to be differences of opinion about whether the scientists' figures are accurate enough. Norwegian scientists have been open, saying publicly that their estimates can be out either way by up to 50 per cent.
It is only 18 months, Peter O'Neill reports, since the British government rejected Commission plans, based on scientists' date, to try to close off wide areas in the North Sea. The focus then was rescuing cod, but the UK government said its fishermen reported healthy recovery of product such as sole, herring and monkfish and crude closures would cut them off from these.
At their recent Council meeting fisheries ministers discussed how best to use a survey which they have told the EU Commission (EC) to carry out among the stakeholders across the EU. The questions are said by officials to be a good reflection of the different countries' attitude to stocks.
Stakeholders were asked about their attitude to the fishing mortality rates proposed. These rates are linked to what level one should set the proposed rate of reduction of the fishing mortality rates, as well as the fishing effort allowed for vessels and the issue of who is checking whom when fish are landed.
The scientists (the Scientific Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries) advising the EC want to see a mortality rate of 0.2 for sole and 0.3 for plaice. The draft proposal on a variable total allowable catch (TAC) would suggest +/-15 per cent for plaice and sole depending on either the mortality reduction of the past year or a TAC which would reach the target of mortality rate (0.3 for plaice and 0.2 for sole).
Moving into politics on the water between fishermen, the EC also asked whether non-beam vessels with a mesh size for gear of 80 mm or more should also have to contribute to the adjustment of effort.
Fishermen also resent being constantly accused of fiddling the books and the proposal, that landings of sole over 300kg and plaice over 500kg will have to be done in the presence of an inspector on the quay, will only increase their resentment. They are expected to lobby the European Parliament which is expected to give its views on the proposals later this month.
