This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Conserving Stocks Vital For Success Fishing Industry - Home Robertson
22/03/2000
The Scottish Executive is working with fishermen to ensure that fishing remains an economically viable industry with sustainability at its core, John Home Robertson said today.
During a visit to Fraserburgh Harbour to highlight work being undertaken to introduce 90 mm square mesh panels into all demersal and nephrops nets - they allow more small fish to escape than traditional nets - the Scottish Fisheries Minister said:
"If we are to achieve sustainable fisheries within a thriving marine environment we have to develop fishing gear and fishing practices that will have conservation benefits. We need more selective gear to reduce the waste of 'discarded' small fish, and to leave those juvenile fish to build up stocks for the future.
"We are now turning these promised technical measures into reality. Legislation to introduce compulsory 90 mm square mesh panels in all whitefish and nephrops nets is planned to be in place by 1 June.
"Our experience with this year's North Sea haddock quota demonstrates the benefits of adopting responsible fishing methods. The initial advice for the haddock Total Allowable Catch (TAC) was 65,000 tonnes. By advancing proposals for the introduction of technical conservation measures, we were able to demonstrate that the strong recruitment to the haddock fishery could be protected. On that basis the TAC was set at 73,000 tonnes.
"We would not have been able to achieve this outcome without the close co-operation of the fishing industry. Many of the practical solutions to this problem have come from fishermen, not least in sea trials undertaken by members of the Scottish White Fish Producers Association working side by side with scientists from the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen.
"Safety is also high on my agenda. Work has begun to develop the Scottish Sea Fisheries Safety Scheme and discussions have taken place with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, Sea Fish Industry Authority and the Marine and Coastguard Agency. I stand by my pledge to deliver this safety scheme, which I hope will change the culture of the industry."
News Release: SE0794/2000
22 Mar 2000