Lochhead response to Art47

Thank you for your email of 2 February 2009 on behalf of Denis Kelly, Secretary of the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network (SSACN).

Mr Kelly refers to proposals for a Council Regulation establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy. The Regulation was adopted and published by the Commission on 14 November 2008 and the discussions by Member States at Working Group meetings started in January 2009 with a view to implementing the final proposals in January 2010.

The current "Control Regulation" was introduced in 1984 and is in need of drastic updating to respond to current fishery management issues. It also presents an opportunity to bring together a variety of fisheries regulations into one comprehensive regulation which will aim to reduce the burden on fishermen. The proposals as they stand includes effort control, engine power and controls for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with perhaps one of the most controversial areas being the introduction of control measures for recreational anglers.

I can see no justification at present for the inclusion of activities of recreational sea angling into the control regulation. Whilst we acknowledge that activities that may or do contribute to stock mortality levels should be controlled, there is a significant lack of evidence available as to what if any impact angling activities actually have.

I propose, therefore, that significant research be undertaken to assess the true scale and impact of angling activities Whilst the overall aim should be to ensure that activities which contribute to stock mortality are accounted for, I am of the opinion that the current proposal is both bureaucratic and cumbersome. 

I will be working closely with the Commission, the UK Government and devolved administrations as well as angling representatives to ensure these views are reflected and that only justifiable and proportionate measures, if any, are adopted. My officials met with commercial fishing interests and angling representatives on 5 February 2009 and will continue to liaise with them directly on this very important issue.
I hope this is of help.

Category: Scottish Government News