Fish quota clawbacks won in Brussels last month by UK Fisheries Minister Elliot Morley will mean a viable future for UK fishermen whilst retaining sustainable limits on catches.
At a post-Council briefing this afternoon representatives of the UK's fishing industry warmly congratulated the Minister on the terms secured.
UK negotiators convinced the EU Commission to alter proposals to severely cut Total Allowable Catches, forging an overall agreement more consistent with independent experts' scientific advice. This was based on a detailed scientific assessment rather than former bargaining on figures.
Having pressed for a 2002 deal which balanced fish stock conservation with fishing jobs, the UK achieved many of its main objectives in the hard-fought, 24-hour talks.
Some key successes are:
* Prawns: Prawn (nephrops) quota gains in the North Sea. In areas VI and VII (West of Scotland, South West), hard talking avoided proposed huge cuts, instead linking next year's catch levels firmly to the science.
* Cod: An increase of almost 50% (2300 tonnes ‡ 3200 tonnes) in the Irish Sea quota (following the success of temporary closures during spawning in the last two years).
* Anglers (monkfish): Proposed catch levels negotiated up from the Commission's punitive initial figures, to much more manageable levels.
Mr Morley said:"The talks were lengthy and difficult, but I welcome the result. We supported the Commission where the science was clear but I am pleased that the Commission has agreed to move where there was no justification for cuts. It was our scientific data that persuaded the Commission to up some of the numbers at this Council. Expert scientific advice is the yardstick we must measure future deals against."
"The long-term goal must always be environmental and economic sustainability -- for the sake of fish stocks and the future of the fishing industry."
