Marine Scotland scientists have advised the Scottish fishermen that fishing cuts by ICES is based on uncertain science. The ICES advises on the status of fish stocks is not scientific correct. SFF informed that it is totally unacceptable for automatic cuts in fishing opportunity to be introduced next year based on uncertain science.
According to the SFF they are ready to help to contribute to the assessment process, and demands that action be taken by the EU against Member States failing to produce the necessary data. The ICES has conceded that their conclusions are uncertain and are affected by incomplete information – for example required data on discards has not been received from French, Belgian and Dutch fisheries.
The SFF said that if the ICES advice is acted upon, then it will trigger automatic cuts in quota and also in the number of days that fishing vessels can spend at sea, which would come at a time when sections of the Scottish fleet are struggling to survive at present levels. Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the SFF says it would not be good to have further cuts to be imposed on the Scottish fishing fleet based on ‘uncertain’ science, especially since the Scottish fleet has been spearheading a raft of conservation measures such as the use of more selective gear and closed fishing areas.
Armstrong said that recognising that the science is uncertain and that public money for more scientific resource is unlikely to be forthcoming, SFF will do all in its power to make data available themselves. SFF said that the view from fishermen, who have the earliest sight of what is happening on the grounds, is that there is a gap between the present uncertain assessments and reality.
