The Council informed that it will hear scientific evidence on the current state of stocks and the prospects for catching opportunity for 2009. In the meeting the evidence heard will be used to set out the Scottish Government’s stall for crucial end-of-the-year negotiations for quota and fisheries management for next year. Bertie Armstrong, SFF chief executive, explained that there are many complex issues up for discussion, not least ensuring that the Scottish fishermen can increase their cod catching opportunities, while at the same time delivering the objectives of stock recovery.
According to Armstrong stocks on the west coast is of particular concern where mixed scientific messages and gaps in stock knowledge should not be used to jeopardise a segment of the fleet that has been particularly hard hit in recent years. The Federation also discuss about the pelagic stocks to ensure a satisfactory allocation is achieved for the fleet, although the scientific advice on the state of the stocks has still to be released.
It is said that the Council will also hear a report from the Fuel Task Force, and it is hoped that this will set the ball rolling on a variety of measures to combat sky-high costs. Bertie Armstrong expressed that wholesale fuel prices may have dropped in recent weeks, although the fishing industry has still to see any benefit of this.
