29 November 2007

THE SCOTTISH government last night (Thursday) said it would fight the European Commission’s proposal to cut the number of days fishermen are allowed to go to sea next year.

Yesterday, the Commission recommended cutting days at sea for the West of Scotland by 25 percent and in the North Sea by 10 per cent.

Commissioner Joe Borg said that most species continued to be overfished and more needed to be done to achieve a sustainable fishing.

Last week a 11 per cent rise in next year's cod quota was agreed as part of the EU - Norway negotiations.

Scottish fisheries minister Richard Lochhead said it was time to reward the county’s fishermen for the sacrifices of the past years.

“The proposed cuts in days at sea are a predictable negotiating tactic which we shall strongly resist at December Council. We need to give our fishermen a just reward for all their sacrifices and contributions to conserving fish stocks, whereas these proposals could force some of them out of work.

"Scotland is arguing for a fresh approach to conserving fish stocks building on the innovative measures we have already implemented in Scottish waters.

"The Commission needs to recognise that the Scottish fleet is leading the EU in this area. And we are continuing to work with our industry and environmental groups to develop more effective ways to protect and nurture our stocks - rather than the crude sledgehammer of cuts in days at sea."

SNP member of the European Parliament Ian Hudghton added that, sadly, the European Commission remained “too inflexible” to respond adequately to the Scottish fleet’s efforts to safeguard stocks.