SFF Congratulates Fishermen's Efforts: North Sea Cod Stock Continues to Increase

North Sea cod stock continues to increase but huge fears remain that short-term management will take precedence over need to protect fishing industry

The North Sea cod stock is continuing to increase according to the latest advice from the International Council of the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), with the biomass now around three times larger than it was in 2006.

A Marine Scotland Science briefing with the fishing industry in Aberdeen today [2 July] to discuss the latest ICES advice, revealed that the annual increases in the size of the North Sea cod stock are continuing at a good rate and that fishing pressure (mortality) is well below precautionary levels. The cod stock is now at the same level as 1995 and ICES anticipate that there could be a further significant increase in the stock size next year.

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said:

“This increase in the North Sea cod stock is down in large part to the massive efforts and sacrifices made by our fishermen over the last decade who have adopted a wide range of measures to conserve stocks. It should not be forgotten that these efforts have come at considerable cost and much of the fleet is now teetering on the brink of economic viability."

There is now huge concern among fishermen over ICES advice recommending a 9% cut in the North Sea cod quota for next year due to poor recruitment of young fish due to natural factors. Fishermen are also facing a 15% cut in North Sea haddock, a mainstay of the Scottish fleet and which is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council for the sustainable way it is harvested.

Mr Armstrong said:

“The continuing increase in North Sea cod is great news but there is a real and urgent need to adopt a sensible long-term approach to the management of the stock, rather than short-term knee-jerk reactions which would prove extremely damaging to our fishing fleet.

“The final TAC for cod will be set following talks with Norway in September and a key focus of these discussions will be the need for the pragmatic long term management of cod that recognises that the biomass is increasing, fishing pressure is falling and that the stock is being harvested sustainably. Any further cuts in the cod quota will only lead to increased discarding, given the abundance of adult fish, and jeopardise the future viability of the fishing fleet at the very time when stocks are increasing. It is imperative that the Scottish and UK Governments work with us closely to press for management decisions that ensure the continuing sustainable catching of our stocks whilst at the same time providing a viable future for our hard working fishermen."

Threat to Scots fishing fleet averted as EU Fisheries Ministers insist on common-sense rather than ill-fitting regulations

Positive action by the Council of Ministers at the EU fisheries negotiations in Brussels has ensured that the Scottish whitefish and prawn fleets will not have to endure further unnecessary cuts in the number of days they can put to sea next year.

This was the key outcome of the talks that concluded this morning (Thursday 20 December), and which has removed the threat of further automatic cuts in effort as part of the EU’s Cod Plan. There were real fears that the continuation of cuts in fishing days would jeopardise the economic viability of the fleet and lead to an increase in discards. Since 2008, the Spawning Stock Biomass of cod in the North Sea has doubled.

Against this background of a recovering cod stock, which has been aided by innovative conservation measures adopted by the Scottish fleet, the Council of Ministers over-ruled the legal red tape surrounding the cod plan and has instead adopted a more pragmatic approach that will freeze fishing effort next year at 2012 levels.

The agreement also paves the way for the EU to negotiate with Norway a cod total allowable catch for 2013 for the North Sea that is at the same level as this year, rather than the 20% cut originally proposed.

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said:

“Considerable credit has to go to the Scottish and UK Governments for their negotiating stance, which has ensured that a common-sense approach on fisheries management based on the science has been adopted. We were facing the very real danger of the decision-making being caught in legal red tape that would have caused immense economic hardship and done nothing to aid fish stock conservation and sustainable harvesting.

“Fishing effort in Scotland has been slashed by almost 70 per cent over the last 10 years and we were quite simply at a stage where the fleet could not sustain any more cuts. These were hard fought negotiations but on balance the package of measures agreed brings a degree of stability for the Scottish fleet in 2013."

On the West coast of Scotland, a proposed 48% cut in the haddock quota was reduced to a 30% fall so as to better reflect the long term management plan for an increasingly healthy stock. A 990 tonnes quota was also agreed for Rockall haddock that will incorporate enhanced scientific data collection to ensure further development of the management plan for the fishery and protect juvenile year classes.

A commitment was also given by the Scottish and UK Governments at the talks to continue with pioneering and positive selectivity measures adopted by the fleet that have dramatically reduced discards in recent years. For example, new prawn trawls developed by the Scottish industry have reduced cod discards by up to 87%.

“Developing and refining these conservation measures will help ensure the steady growth in stocks that we are currently experiencing," said Mr Armstrong.

“These unilateral measures have not been undertaken without a considerable degree of sacrifice by the fleet, which underlines our commitment to a sustainable future. Although the deal reached this morning had some notable successes, there are still considerable challenges to be met, especially with increased operating costs and difficult markets, and most particularly for fishermen on the west coast where catching opportunities are still severely curtailed."