Fishing Matters

Last week I had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF). The organisation seeks to preserve and promote the collective interests of Scotland’s fishermen's associations. It plays a huge part in advancing the interests of Scottish fishermen at national and international levels by actively lobbying government officials in Edinburgh, London and Brussels. Just to impart how influential they are in our fishing industry, let me point out that the federation covers nine geographical and sectoral associations including the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association Limited and the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association Limited.

As it turns out, our fishing sector is in danger of seeing further cuts in the number of days that vessels can put to sea next year. The SFF, a leader in its field, warns that such actions would jeopardise the economic viability of our fleet and that it is of absolute imperative that there are no further cuts in days at sea. Another threat we face, are the unintended consequences of pursuing a principle of ‘Maximum Sustainable Yield’. Without proper management measures, the principle could become self-defeating in that it ends up actually increasing the number of fish discarded after capture in our mixed fisheries. We must be wary of the impact we have on our oceans and the populations living within them. It is vital not just to the environment, but to our economy that we allow fish the time to repopulate. However, additional annual reductions may go well beyond the point of beneficial effect and are the inheritance of past failed plans issued by the European Commission. The Cod Recovery Plan, for example, put considerable strain on the economic growth of communities that rely on cod for their livelihood. What the European Commission could be doing instead is funding research to identify alternative conservation initiatives such as closed areas and the development of selective fishing gears as a more effective way of conserving stocks. This makes most sense; especially when one considers that recent assessments cannot establish a clear correlation between cutting days at sea and reduced cod mortality. Again, I must reiterate: I am all for the conservation of such an integral part of our livelihood in the northeast – but only to the point that it benefits us.

Unfortunately, this year’s Fish Council will only be able to make firm decisions on those stocks exclusively belonging to the EU. International negotiations this year have stalled due to the failure to reach an agreement between the EU, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands with regard to the matter of north east Atlantic mackerel. The disagreement prohibits all other forms of decision-making until the early part of 2014. Usually, these negotiations take place over the autumn period and confirmed at the December Council of Ministers. As you can imagine, this presents severe consequences. Namely, the fishing stocks shared in the North Sea by the EU and Norway will continue to be fished without a proper quota until after negotiations have come to a conclusion.

The Scottish Fishing Federation has brought to my attention the issues that pervade international negotiations. They are fighting for an equitable outcome for those quotas which can be set at December Council; an equitable solution to NE Atlantic mackerel; and an earliest completion of the negotiations for fishing opportunities. This is not a call for appeasement, but agreement. Now, it is up to the UK government to listen to the needs of the Scottish fishing industry to ensure that come 2014, our fleets will be out on the waters, ready to catch the ever-growing abundance of fish.