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October Fisheries Council
23/10/2007
Speaking today from the October Fisheries Council in Luxembourg, Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said good progress had been made in the initial Ministerial debate ahead of the crucial EU/Norway discussions and the December Council.
He said:
"This was an important opportunity to press home the Scottish interest ahead of the upcoming negotiations. Building on our close working with the Scottish industry and environmental groups, we set out our case for an environmentally sustainable increase in the cod quota for next year. This reflects the very different scientific perspective on North Sea cod published last week. We also pressed for the maximum fishing opportunities allowed under the Mackerel Management Plan."
"We handed Commissioner Borg a list of proposals to help manage North Sea cod more effectively next year.
"Two weeks ago, the Scottish Government published a major statement on cod recovery and I was pleased to press that case in our paper for Commissioner Borg. Our objective this year is to break out of the cycle of across the board effort reductions seen in recent years. With the important change in scientific advice, now is the time to try a more targeted approach designed to ensure we deliver sustainable stocks in future. A modest increase in the cod quota of 15 per cent is both scientifically justified and environmentally sustainable.
"The Council also covered Baltic issues and blue fin tuna. While we have no fishing activity directly involved in these issues, we are determined to ensure there is a level playing field on fisheries enforcement."