‘Best possible deal’ for UK fishermen
Quotas have been increased but fishermen will have less time at sea to take advantage of the new catch limits.
The Fisheries Minister has insisted an agreement limiting the number of days fishermen are allowed to spend at sea is “the best possible deal” for the UK fleet.
Marathon talks in Brussels ended at dawn with a compromise over fishing restrictions across Europe which has angered some conservationists.
Ministers rejected proposals to ban cod catches in the Irish Sea and the straits between Sweden and Denmark, and agreed a massive increase in North Atlantic haddock catches for 2012.
Conservation group Oceana said the final deal had fixed catch limits more than 20 percent above the maximum level recommended by the European Commission.
Britain fended off moves to cut fishermen’s days at sea to just four a fortnight next year but agreed to cuts in days at sea estimated at between 15 and 25 per cent.
One of my primary goals was to see off the threat of excessive reductions in days at sea which would have put key UK fisheries at risk. Richard Benyon
Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon said: “After two days of tense and frustrating negotiations I am delighted to have secured the best deal possible for the UK fishing industry and ensure the future sustainability of our fish stocks.
“By arguing that we should follow scientific advice we have been able to agree quotas that will not only allow local fishermen to make a living but will also ensure that we can protect the environment.
“One of my primary goals was to see off the threat of excessive reductions in days at sea which would have put key UK fisheries at risk.”
Poland’s deputy agriculture minister, Tadeusz Nalewajk, who led the talks, said: “We managed to strike the right balance between the needs of the fisheries sector, and the protection of stocks and managing the limited resources in our seas.”
Scottish Fishing Secretary Richard Lochhead, said: “These have been the toughest of negotiations that have delivered both significant gains but also huge frustrations.
“Scotland’s fishing industry has endured three weeks of anxiety following Europe’s initial decision to cut the fleet’s time at sea and prevent it from catching our quotas. Now that particular threat has been lifted as a result of talks in Brussels and our fishing communities can breathe a sigh of relief.”
Mr Lochhead added: “Quotas are the lifeblood of the fleet and we have won increases for our key stocks in line with the science. There is very good news on the west coast in particular with a 200 per cent increase in haddock quota and the removal of regulations that were hurting the fleet.
“We are very disappointed that despite the call from many member states for a pause in the annual cut in days at sea for vessels that fish in the Cod Recovery Zone, Europe pressed ahead.”
Oceana Europe’s executive director Xavier Pastor said: “This type of short-term approach will lead to the deterioration of not only fish populations, but also of the profitability of the sector and the viability of the fishing communities.”