Dogfish rule having adverse effect – Fishupdate.com

THE 5% by-catch limit for dogfish is undoubtedly causing problems and is going against the European Commisson’s professed aim to reduced discards, an industry leader said today.

Mike Park, the executive chairman of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association said that the 5% rule was “without a shadow of a doubt” causing discards to mount.

“I have had skippers on to me to ask what the rationale behind this is. There is a change of mood in the industry and everyone is trying to do the right thing and people find it difficult to understand a regulation which goes against the drive to reduce discards.”

The best course of action would be for the UK to argue strongly for an amendment to the relevant regulation and in the meantime, more detailed analysis was required.

Mr Park added that he was still convinced that changes could be made to the rules which would on the one hand protect the species and also protect fishermen’s interests.

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