It follows responses to a consultation which asked skippers how days should be allocated to Scottish fishing vessels for the remainder of the year.
The industry requested the consultation following complex changes to European Union regulations which previously set day limits for each type of vessel. Under the EU’s new cod recovery plan member states now receive national pots of fishing effort and are free to decide how to allocate days to individual vessels.
Since the beginning of February this year an interim scheme has been in operation, this finishes on April 30. The new regime will:
Give all fishermen a choice about how to receive their days at sea, so that they can take their own circumstances into account
Make special arrangements for new vessels to – wherever possible – get an allocation of days more suited to their likely fishing pattern
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
“In these testing economic times and in light of the deal reached at December Council we have worked closely with the industry to come up with a new scheme that makes the best of our limited national effort pots.
We are also seeking exemption from the days at sea regime for over 70 of our vessels that catch very little cod.
“Over two thirds of skippers who responded to our consultation were in favour of keeping the same basic method of allocation – the same rate per vessel type – that has been used in the past.
“The Conservation Credits steering group – which involves the industry – has decided the best option is to allow vessels a choice about how to apply for days at sea.
“For many vessels, the basic rates of days at sea will likely exceed their normal annual fishing. But, for those whose normal activity exceeds it by a significant margin, they can instead apply for a days at sea allocation based on their historic track record.. Vessels can then get more days at sea on top of their basic allocation by taking up the Conservation Credits options.
“We have also made special arrangements for new vessels, building in flexibility to the workings of the system to seek to offer a higher allocation of days.
“As well as listening we have offered over £2.5 million additional funding to fishermen to support greater fuel efficiency, purchase more selective gear, improve product quality and improve safety.
“And I will shortly be launching a major push to get Scots eating more seafood. Fish will be promoted to consumers as an ideal dish for these difficult economic times, as well as one which delivers major health benefits and gives Scotland’s fishing sector a much-needed boost.
“I appreciate times are hard and am pressing the European Commission to undertake a full economic impact assessment of the new cod recovery plan. The challenges we now face also highlight why control over fishing policy must be returned to Scotland – an argument I will make strongly as the EU begins its review of the Common Fisheries Policy.”
The days at sea regime exists as part of the EU’s cod recovery plan, which limits time at sea for fishing vessels that are involved in catching cod in the waters around Scotland. The Conservation Credits scheme is Scotland’s system for allocating these limited days to Scottish fishing vessels. The scheme is managed by a steering group that includes fishing industry representatives, scientists, environmental organisations and Government officials.
The new EU cod recovery plan, agreed last year, includes targets to reduce substantially cod mortality caused by fishing. To achieve this, the European Commission proposed a 25 per cent reduction in days at sea for Scottish fishing vessels. The Scottish Government was able to secure a deal that allowed cuts in days at sea to be avoided if vessels adopted new conservation measures. The Government has been working with the industry to develop these measures, like the use of more selective fishing gears that allow more fish to escape. As part of the new plan, EU Member States are now responsible for allocating days at sea to vessels.
In terms of the flat rate allocation, for many vessels, the flat rate will likely exceed their normal annual fishing, but for those whose activity exceeds it by a significant margin the track record option should provide a useful option to get access to a higher allocation. The details of how each option will work will be covered in a letter that will be sent to skippers shortly. All vessels will then be able to be allocated further days at sea by adopting one or more of the Conservation Credits options.
The basic rate for whitefish vessels is 160 days in the North Sea and 164 in the West of Scotland. For prawn vessels it is 168 days in the North Sea and 176 in the West of Scotland. Vessels that catch less than five per cent cod can receive 200 days.
