Listen
TV fishers lead cod protection trial
30/10/2007
A vessel featured in the recent BBC "Trawlermen" series is leading a new pilot scheme to protect cod stocks.
The Fruitful Bough has become the first vessel to be independently observed to have avoided catching cod under the scheme.
Under the initiative, skippers are given extra days at sea if the observers conclude that cod is less than five per cent of the total catch on the trip.
Funded by the Scottish Government and jointly developed with the industry, the pilot scheme aims to test how effective such incentives are in conserving cod stocks.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"The Trawlermen series gave the whole of Britain a real insight into the daily dangers and challenges at sea faced by our fishermen to get fish on our plates.
"I am delighted skipper West and his crew have been the first to show that the pilot on board independent observer scheme can work both for conservation and for fishermen.
"The Scottish Government promised at the outset a fresh start for our fisheries and fresh ideas. This pilot and the real time voluntary closures were developed jointly with the industry.
"We are fully committed to ensuring healthy stocks of cod and the recent scientific evidence is encouraging.
"Scottish skippers will be rewarded for their ability and expertise in avoiding cod. It is essential to harness the skill and knowledge of fishermen in order to allow other forms of fishing with minimal by-catches.
"This pilot will provide us with valuable information which will help us set about building a better plan for recovering stocks."
James West, skipper of the Fruitful Bough added:
"I very much welcome this initiative - it worked really well. The observer witnessed every haul and his work did not impede my crew. I would recommend it to other skippers who need extra days."
The Marine Resources Assessment Group will be providing the independent monitors.
Currently some Scottish fishermen complain that they are being forced to discard significant quantities of good size and valuable cod, as they do not have the quota to land them.
Under the observer pilot scheme, skippers will get additional days at sea if the independent on-board observer verifies that the vessel caught less than 5 per cent of cod, sole and plaice over the trip.
The potential award of additional days will give fishermen more flexibility and incentive to select the areas to fish and the gear configuration which minimises their cod catch.
The Fruitful Bough was fishing for prawns, landing over 180 boxes.