This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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European decision on whitefish stocks
20/12/2002
Scottish fishermen (in all cod related fisheries) will
be permitted to fish for fifteen days per month - starting
from 1 February 2003 - as part of a package of measures to
reduce fishing mortality.
Minister for Environment and Rural Development Ross
Finnie expressed frustration today that it had not proved
possible to obtain a more favourable deal for the Scottish
fishing industry.
Speaking in Brussels, the Minister said:
"I am in no doubt we got the best deal possible. I am
well aware of the concerns, which will be felt by
Scotland's fishermen, their families and fishing
communities the length and breadth of the country.
"Despite extracting substantial improvements through our
negotiations these interim measures will cause difficulties
- both offshore and onshore - for our hard pressed fishing
industry.
"I want to put on record my appreciation for the
enormous and unstinting efforts of those representing our
fishing industry over the last few days.
"I argued for the best possible deal, but let us be
clear - it has taken a substantial effort to extract
fifteen days at sea, improvements to catches, and the other
measures from this Council.
"At the end of the day there was not sufficient support
from other delegations in the Council of Ministers for any
other outcome. However, we put our case forcefully and the
Commission and Council were left in no doubt about the
implications the proposals would have on Scottish fishing
communities.
"Once Fisheries Council was concluded I met with fishing
industry representatives to update them on the decisions
reached by EU Ministers.
"Given the extent of the financial impact of the
decision, the Scottish Executive is considering a
reasonable financial package. The First Minister and I will
be holding urgent discussions with the industry on
Monday.
"I will be making a statement to the Scottish Parliament
on 8 January."
The annual December Fisheries Council took place in
Brussels from 16 - 20 December.
The main decisions reached at Fisheries Council
included:
* Reform of CFP;
* Recovery Plan for Cod and Hake;
* Quotas for 2003.
The Commission initially proposed a complete closure.
More recently, they proposed 65 per cent reductions and
draconian seven days a month limit on fishing. We have
secured 15 days per month.
The Commission proposal would have imposed a flat rate
of seven days per month on our whitefish fishermen without
any scope for adjustment of days to suit different needs.
We have secured flexibility so that days can be traded
between boats and carried forward from month to month.
The Commission also proposed a five per cent reduction
in Nephrops quota. As a result of our negotiations the
Nephrops sector has been largely protected in this
settlement with quota unaffected and sufficient opportunity
to catch that quota i.e. twenty five days at sea. We have
also secured exclusion from the regime for all under 10
metre vessels.
Quotas
The Commission initially proposed zero TACs for cod,
haddock and whiting. As a result of our agreement to a days
at sea scheme, they have agreed to reduce these quotas by
less than 50 per cent. This will have a severe impact on
the industry; but it allows fishing to continue and gives
us the opportunity to manage this process of change.
CFP Reform
We have secured our objectives of protecting the 6 + 12
mile limits, relative stability (including Hague
Preference), and the Shetland Box.
Multi-annual management plans and Regional Advisory
Council also represent a major step forward in the
management of fisheries.
We are disappointed by the continuation of subsidies for
modernisation, but we welcome agreement to phasing them out
by 2006.
This release was published on 23/12/2002.