The European Commission has published its proposals for 2014 fish quotas in cases where advice has been given by the ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) based in Denmark.
Where advice has not yet been given a further announcement will be made.
These proposals must, of course be ratified or amended by the Council of Ministers when they meet in Brussels on 16th and 17th December.
At that meeting the fishing industry will lobby, usually for more. Environmentalists and outspoken critics such as Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall will no doubt lobby the other way.
For UK fishermen in the Channel and SW there are some nuggets of welcome, but mostly it is a dismal forecast.
Such is also the case in most sea areas around the UK.
Notable “good news” is the proposed increase in Hake quota rising by 49% and Bristol Channel Plaice up by 20% after many years of decline. Herring and Sprats in the Channel suffer no change, but the Sprats fishers in Brixham have reported bumper catches so had hoped for an increase.
Anglerfish too will stay the same for another year.
Unwelcome are the proposed massive 75% cut to Channel Haddock, 45% cut in east channel Sole, 33% cut in channel Cod, 17% cut in channel Plaice and 7% cut to west channel Sole.
The industry will find these proposals difficult to swallow.
They have endured fleet cuts amounting to 65% of all boats scrapped over the decade of the previous CFP. Brixham lost a lot of Beam Trawlers as part of the long-term management plan for Sole that is now fished within safe biological limits. It is better than MSY, yet the 7% cut is based simply on “precaution” since there is not enough scientific evidence about recent recruitment.
SWFPO (South Western Fish Producers Organisation) Chief Executive, Jim Portus said, “I will lobby hard, but not without due cause. The mortality and biomass indicators for Sole and Plaice are at the best they have been for decades. The industry should not be made to suffer based on “precaution” simply because of cut-backs to scientific voyages. The fishermen have done their level best to modify nets to improve selectivity and to reduce significantly the amounts discarded. These initiatives should be rewarded, not punished.”
”I have had one meeting already with westcountry MP, George Eustice who is now Fisheries Minister. I meet him again on 21st November with other Producer Organisation colleagues and I will be part of the UK industry delegation to Brussels in December. I will ask in the strongest terms that decisions are made based on firm not shaky evidence and that due account is taken of the self-imposed selectivity initiatives that we know are working for the good of the stocks and for the economic well-being of the UK channel ports.”
FiskerForum.com
