The press release from ICES today contains much encouraging news for Scotland’s fishing industry. SFF Chief Executive Bertie Armstrong said "For the mainstay Scottish stocks, we are delighted to note that sustainable harvesting is recognised. For the iconic cod, at last we have scientific confirmation of the fishermen’s observations – the stock in the North Sea is recovering. This is welcomed wholeheartedly, especially since cod recovery measures impact on the vital Scottish fisheries catching langoustines and haddock as main target species. This vindicates previous painful measures including the decomissioning of 65% of the Scottish whitefish fleet. Protection of the increasing stock is at the centre of the Scottish industy’s approach to the negotiations for catching opportunity in 2008 which will be based on the science described today. We have an active and ambitious programme of measures aimed at cod avoidance, including amongst other things voluntary closures and onboard observer programmes. Sustainable harvesting of the wonderful renewable resources in our waters is our aim and our responsibility"
