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Fish conservation efforts to step up
03/02/2009
Details of an enhanced scheme that will reward Scotland's fishermen for their trailblazing conservation efforts have been unveiled.
Building on the success of Scotland's pioneering Conservation Credits Scheme, 'Conservation Credits II' allows skippers to top up their days fishing at sea in return for adopting further conservation measures.
The scheme provides alternatives to the European Commission's proposal for a 25 per cent reduction in days at sea, giving the majority of Scottish vessels the opportunity to fish for the same number of days as they fished in 2008.
Skippers can increase their number of days at sea by adopting conservation measures such as using prawn nets that allow cod to escape, using whitefish nets that allow smaller fish to escape and avoiding fishing in cod-conservation areas. The more conservation methods used the more days at sea can be topped up.
During the first interim phase of 'Conservation Credits II', Scottish Government officials will work closely with the industry to fine tune the arrangements and then roll-out the full scheme from May 1.
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
"We face big challenges this year as we step up our efforts to ensure sustainable fisheries and tackle discards. But Conservation Credits II will get us off to a flying start.
"The ground-breaking efforts of our fishermen under the previous scheme marked the beginning of a brave new approach to sustainable fishing in Scotland. It has rightly been heralded as the standard-bearer for the European fleet and embedded in the new EU Cod Recovery Plan. We have earned the right to determine ourselves the arrangements that will apply to our own fleet.
"Conservation Credits II builds on that success. It takes our conservation measures to the next level. Given the current economic climate, I am particularly pleased that we have with the sector found ways to avoid the hugely damaging 25 per cent cut in days at sea.
"Our industry has demonstrated responsible leadership when it comes to conservation measures, which saw us gaining a crucial deal in Brussels to protect our West Coast fishery. I am confident our fishermen will once again rise to the next challenge, and we will be with them every step of the way."
The 2009 Conservation Credits Scheme will apply to all Scottish fishing vessels and aims to reduce cod mortality by 25 per cent this year.
Under the scheme, fishermen are able to demonstrate their commitment to conserving fragile fish stocks by signing up to new measures aimed at reduction of fishing mortality and discards - such as the use of more selective gear and square mesh panels (that allow fish to escape) in fishing nets.
The scheme also expands the innovative Real-Time Closures scheme on which Scotland led last autumn, protecting cod where they aggregate in the North Sea. Compliance with RTCs will be mandatory in 2009, and the new programme also includes voluntary avoidance areas, which will be rewarded with additional days to be spent at sea.
The Conservation Credits Scheme Steering Group, whose membership includes industry representatives, scientists and green NGOs, oversees the design, implementation and operation of the scheme.
Effort management rules need to be in force by February 1. To facilitate this, we will introduce interim arrangements broadly in line with the elements discussed above. These arrangements must deliver the required 25 per cent reduction in cod mortality. The interim period will run from February 1 to April 30.