However, the outcome could have been much worse, with many of the original cutback proposals having been reduced in their intensity following pressure from the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and a strong performance by the UK Governments.
Bertie Armstrong, SFF chief executive, said: “While the final situation could have been worse, given the original proposals on the table, there is no doubt that the Scottish industry will be facing another tremendously challenging year, with there being a continuing downward trend in quota for many species and further restrictions on days-at-sea.”
The failure to conclude last week’s EU/Norway talks meant it was not possible to finalise quotas for the important North Sea stocks of haddock, cod, mackerel and herring. Interim arrangements comprising 65% of the 2009 quotas have been put in place to enable fishing to continue beyond the New Year.
The EU/Norway negotiations are due to resume again towards the end of January. Until final agreement is reached, Norwegian and Faroese waters will not be open to Scottish vessels and vice versa.
Agreement was reached for prawns (langoustine) with the current quota for the North Sea being rolled over into 2010, although the West coast will endure a 15% reduction.
“The West coast cut in prawns is a blow for this fleet because it is the mainstay for the majority of vessels – although the reduction is less than originally proposed,” said Mr Armstrong.
West coast haddock has also been cut significantly, with a 25% fall in the quota for 2010, again less than the original proposal of 54% but with the prospect of another reduction again 2011 – depending on the stock science. West of Scotland cod had a small increase of 6%.
However, the EC has agreed to consider a new set of West coast whitefish conservation measures as an alternative to the draconian set of regulations applied in January 2009, and which are currently being rolled over for the next 18 months. Ireland has been asked to take the lead in this initiative and the SFF will be taking urgent action at the turn of the year to help shape the new regime.
“This development could signal the beginning of a move towards decentralisation of fisheries management – a real practical chance to prove that industry, scientists and government working together in the area where the challenges exist can produce a better outcome. This is a welcome step,” said Mr Armstrong.
He added: “Overall, Scottish industry will be presented with some real challenges for 2010 and many sections of the fleet will struggle under the new restrictions. Hopefully, some of this pain will be alleviated as the recession bottoms out and recovery begins, which may lead to an improvement in prices at the market.”
