Fishermen mainly in the south-west of the UK who have been hard hit by the restrictions on fishing for pollack will be in line for support, according to a government statement.
This includes fast-tracked applications for a share of £6 million in grant funding available through the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, aimed at those fishing with lines for pollack from <10m boats. Pollack has become a by-catch-only species when the government followed advice to set a zero-TAC for pollack.
Alongside FaSS support, there will also be opportunities to be paid for participation in a study which intended to increase understanding of the stock structure of pollack, with the option to sell catches of pollack caught as part of the study. Applications to participate, along with detailed eligibility criteria, will be open shortly.
‘We fully recognise the impact that the bycatch-only pollack fishery has had on many fishermen in the South West and today’s measures will provide support to those most affected,’ said UK Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer.
‘Grant funding will help to support them to diversify and explore other income streams, whilst their participation in a new scientific study will not only provide additional support but help to improve our understanding of the pollack stock as we look to improve its sustainability into the future.’
He commented that the intention is to get support to those most affected quickly, helping them with diversification and to explore new forms of income.
According to Defra, to improve the longer-term management of pollack, the UK will work with the EU via the Specialised Committee on Fisheries (SCF) towards an improved assessment of the stock, and the government pledges to continue to work with industry representatives as part of this joint work.
