Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association comment on EU-Faroe deal

IN response to the EU-Faroe deal announced today (TUE) on shared fishing stocks for 2015, Mike Park, chief executive of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association (SWFPA), described it as a victory for common sense.
The agreement, which follows the deal reached between the EU and Norway last week, gives access to Faroese waters to UK boats next year for specified amounts of cod, haddock, saithe, blue ling, ling and flatfish.
‘It’s immensely satisfying that some of Scotland’s largest whitefish vessels will have greater fishing options once again’, he said.
‘This deal is a victory for common sense and will relieve some of the pressure on our skippers who are extremely concerned about the impact the discard ban will have on their livelihoods.
‘It is to be hoped that the European Commission follows up on this deal and the one made with Norway last week by taking steps towards framing a practicable discard ban and we look forward to working with them on that.’