Do the right thing
Jun 2nd, 2009 | By ssacn | Category: Scottish Government NewsScottish fishermen are to take part in trials of “spy in the boat” technology aimed at overhauling EU fishing practices to end the waste of discarding thousands of tonnes of dead fish at sea.
The plan will give fishermen bigger catch quotas in return for closed-circuit television monitoring on board.
The Scottish government will begin its trial of on-board cameras later this year by installing CCTV technology in seven volunteer boats and the fishermen will be given catch quotas rather than landing quotas, that way every fish caught will count, rather than just those brought back to shore.
To reflect the ‘supposed’ dramatic reduction this will bring in discards at sea, catch quotas will be up to 50 per cent higher than the current landing quota, giving the chance for a much-needed increase in income for fishermen from higher sales.
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, supported the camera trials as way of giving responsibility back to fishermen. “Everybody supports a reduction in discards,” said Mr Armstrong. “There are pros and cons, with concerns about privacy with CCTV. But within the industry, the trial is awaited and there is cautious support.The Common Fisheries Policy has failed.”
The is also cautious support from many conservation organisations who point out that the enforcement of the current rules are somewhat lax and that the commercial sector has a history of finding ‘alternative’ solutions to any restrictions.
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