Hans J Marter

20 December, 2007

A CALL has been made to the Scottish Government to clarify as quickly as possible how the complex fisheries management deal struck in the early hours of yesterday (Wednesday) will be implemented across the fleet.

Following the introduction of what is called 'Conservation Credits', certain parts of fisheries management have effectively been devolved to Scotland.

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott yesterday (Wednesday) said the implication of such a scheme remained unclear.

"The Scottish Fisheries Department in Edinburgh will become the arbiter of the time that boats can fish. That will be a major challenge both for government and the industry.

"Having discussed these issues with the Shetland Fisherman's Association this week, I recognise that it is vital that the issue of how days are to be allocated next year is clarified as quickly as possible," he said.

Scotland came away from the talks with a deal that was hailed as a "landmark agreement" by fisheries minister Richard Lochhead.

Conservation Credits will allow the Scottish Government to give back fishing days to crews that comply with voluntary conservation measures such as real time closures and technical alternations to fishing gear.

Overall the number of days at sea has been cut by 10 per cent for vessels in the North Sea that are not part of the Admin Penalty Derogation.

The scheme was also praised by Bertie Armstrong of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF).

"Our new approach this year has been to seek more intelligent ways of meeting cod avoidance.

"We welcome that a Scottish administered scheme has been agreed, which will provide flexibility to effort management and provide incentives for Scottish skippers to adopt targeted and effective fisheries conservation measures," he said.

The scheme was however greeted with scepticism by the conservation pressure group WWF Scotland who said the 11 per cent increase in the cod quota was a gamble on the future of the stock.

The organisation's marine policy officer Helen McLachlan added that with the introduction of 'Conservation Credits' it was now for Scottish fishermen to show that they were serious about conserving stocks.

She said: "Whether this deal will actually lead to fishermen 'avoiding' cod at sea remains to be seen.

"As the scheme is voluntary, it will only prove to be effective if enough boats adopt the plans. This year we saw the first glimmer of hope for North Sea cod in many years. But let's not kid ourselves - these are critical days for cod."

Meanwhile, quota cuts for pelagic species will result in a tough time for fishermen targeting herring and mackerel.

Chief executive of the Shetland Fish Producers Organisation, Brian Isbister, said: "The 41 per cent cut in North Sea herring, the 20 per cent reduction in the West of Scotland herring and, of course, the nine per cent reduction in Western mackerel make this the poorest deal in the pelagic sector for a long, long time."

Mr Scott said it was vital that the government worked with the sector to help it through a difficult time.

He added: "I support industry's calls for a review of the scientific advice on mackerel stocks so that both government and industry can have more confidence in these assessments."