EU Fisheries talks results

The European Fisheries Council has reached a conclusion which has resulted in reduced quotas in 2010 for many key species and further restrictions on days-at-sea.

Key items :

Prawn (langoustine) – North Sea > –0.6%

Prawn (langoustine) – West Coast > -15%

Haddock – West Coast > –25% – prospect of another reduction again 2011

Cod – West Coast > +6%

Monkfish & Megrim +10% in North Sea and W Scotland

Days at sea – West Coast > – 25%

This is seen as presenting a challenge to the catching sector with Bertie Armstrong of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation  indicating that many sections of the fleet will struggle under the new restrictions hoping some of this pain will be alleviated if the recession bottoms out and recovery begins, which he believes could lead to an improvement in prices at the market.

The failure to conclude last week’s EU/Norway talks meant it was not possible to finalise quotas for the important North Sea stocks of haddock, cod, mackerel and herring; as an interim measure 65% of the 2009 quotas will be the benchmark to enable fishing to continue beyond the New Year.

The EU/Norway negotiations are due to resume again towards the end of January. Until final agreement is reached, Norwegian and Faroese waters will not be open to Scottish vessels and vice versa.

Category: SSACN Announcements