Fish deal "unfair to some," says Park – Fishupdate.com

THE outcome of this week’s EU Fisheries Council is less fair to some than others, a fishermen’s leader conceded today.

But Mike Park, the executive chairman of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association has underlined that a “huge gain” has been made at Rockall with a 50% increase in the haddock total allowable catch (TAC.)

“This is tempered however by an 18% reduction in the area VI cod quota and 12% reduction to the haddock quota in the same area.”

But they had been successful to a degree with monk fish flexibility, committing the Commission to be receptive to discussions on the principle in the early part of 2008 for use in the same year.

Meanwhile, with the use of Hague preference the position on North Sea whiting and haddock were improved on; the position on whiting will continue to improve through the facility of post council swaps.And as his members were aware, the TAC for North Sea cod is up by 11%.

He said that under the provision of Annex IIA, days at sea on the west coast are reduced by 18% for the larger gears and 10% for the smaller gears.North Sea days have been reduced by 10% in all non derogated sectors for 2008; there is no change to derogated sectors. The UK (Scotland) was successful in arguing for text to be included in the Council Regulation which provided the option for Member States to operate a National KW days scheme.

“The Scottish Government have informed us they intend to operate such a scheme, ‘Scottish Conservation Credit Scheme’ for all gears from the 1st of February 2008, although a considerable amount of work has to be completed for this to happen.

” It is hoped the number of days allocated will be around the same levels as that of 1st February 1, 2007, including any benefits of schemes such as admin sanctions.”

Mr Park said sufficient flexibility has been built into the national pot to allow additional days to be awarded to vessels, groups of vessels, including whole sectors, which sign up to, or adhere to, cod avoidance measures, including real time closures.

” This is a novel way of dealing with days at sea and has been the goal of your association, the federation and the Scottish Government for the last 18 months.

” Much work needs to be done in the new year with regards to the development of the scheme, and to how we can make it become a system which delivers carrots as opposed to the system we are accustomed with which uses a stick.”

Mr Park said sufficient flexibility has been built into the national pot to allow additional days to be awarded to vessels, groups of vessels, including whole sectors, which sign up to, or adhere to, cod avoidance measures, including real time closures.

” This is a novel way of dealing with days at sea and has been the goal of your association, the federation and the Scottish Government for the last 18 months.

” Much work needs to be done in the new year with regards to the development of the scheme, and to how we can make it become a system which delivers carrots as opposed to the system we are accustomed with which uses a stick.”

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