Those fishermen most adversely affected by restrictions placed on pollack are being offered access to a new compensation scheme.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay stated that the scheme is being implemented following consultation with the industry. Around 50 vessel owners will be directly compensated for half their income lost due to pollack being made a bycatch-only fishery. According to the environment secretary, this reflects feedback from industry as to how support can be provided for diversification.
There are around 50 vessel owners who rely on pollack for at least 30% of their fishing income. These are mostly small (10-metre and under) inshore vessels using handlines. The by-catch-only advice means they cannot target pollack in 2024, causing some vessels to cease operations and lose all or some of their income.
Under the compensation scheme set out by the Secretary of State, those who were reliant on pollack for at least 30% of their 2023 income will receive compensation equal to 50% of the total value of pollack landings they made in 2023 in Western Waters (Area 7). Income will be verified using landings data held by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
‘I fully recognise the impact that the by-catch-only advice has had on pollack fishers in the South West and have therefore acted to provide support to those most affected,’ Steve Barclay said.
‘The compensation scheme will support these hardworking fishers and provide them with an opportunity to move away from a reliance on the pollack fishery as we work to further support the recovery of the stock.’
In June 2023 ICES provided advice that, for pollack in Western waters, the TAC for 2024 should be set at zero for the first time to ensure the long-term sustainability of the stock.
This scheme is stated to be building on recently announced measures to help fishers affected by restrictions to pollack fishing for 2024 .
These are expedited applications for a share of £6 million in grant funding available through the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, and the opportunity to be paid for participation in a new scientific study to understand more about the stock structure of pollack – as well as selling the pollack that they catch as part of the study.
