Scottish fishermen will be able to catch more cod next year. (Photo: Stock File)

EU fishing quota deal deemed satisfactory to British fishermen

UNITED KINGDOM
Thursday, December 14, 2017, 02:40 (GMT + 9)

The European Union (EU) fisheries ministers have agreed on a rise in the amount of fish British trawlers can catch in the North Sea, a deal that will represent more than GBP 750 million to the sector.

The decision implies a 376 per cent growth in the amount of cod that can be caught, a 70 per cent increase in that of herring and a 23 per cent rise in haddock quota, BBC News informed.

In addition, Nephrops, such as prawn, have seen an increase of 15 per cent in their quota.

On the other hand, the amount of whiting fishermen are allowed to land will rise by 38 per cent and there is a 22 per cent increase in the allowance for North Sea lobster.

"The vast majority of fish taken from the Irish Sea are now harvested according to internationally recognised sustainability rules and whilst there is still a long way to go to return fisheries like cod to what they were in their heyday, decisions taken overnight in Brussels represent a very significant step in the right direction," pointed out Alan McCulla, the chief executive of Kilkeel-based fishing co-operative Sea Source, in Northen Ireland.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), from Northern Ireland, also expressed support on the decision taken by the EU Council. It stressed that due to "robust evidence" that most fish stocks in the Irish Sea are now "performing well and are being fished sustainably".

"These increases are the reward for the adoption of sustainable management measures in the Irish Sea and much hard work over a number of years by fisheries scientists," a DAERA spokesperson added.

These quota increases were also welcomed by Scottish rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing, who recognised they have secured a strong result for Scotland's fishermen, with deals worth more than GBP 440 million.

On the other hand, Ewing pointed out that with the UK due to leave the EU in 2019, the prospect of Brexit had "loomed large over this year's negotiations".

For his part, Scottish Fishermen's Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong warned there were signs other countries across Europe were adopting "very entrenched views" ahead of Britain's departure.

Further warnings came from environmentalists, claiming many stocks in EU waters are still not being fished at sustainable levels.

Environmental legal charity ClientEarth criticised catch limits for whiting, sole, herring and plaice in and around the Irish Sea, some of which are stocks that are "dangerously depleted" and where the scientific advice recommends zero catches.

Related article:

- European ministers agree on 2018 fishing quotas in the Atlantic and North Sea

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