1 February, 2008

THE EUROPEAN Parliament yesterday (Thursday) called for a total ban on dumping unwanted fish overboard as well as an effective monitoring system, including CCTV cameras on fishing boats.

The parliament also recognised Scotland's efforts to reduce discards by introducing voluntary conservation schemes that can earn fishermen more days at sea.

SNP Euro MP Ian Hudghton said other countries could soon be following Scotland’s lead.

"MEPs have recognised the success of the approach now being taken by the Scottish Government. The voluntary closures scheme - the first of its kind in Europe - is proving effective and workable,” Mr Hudghton said.

"We could now see similar schemes being piloted in other parts of Europe."

He added: "The CFP quota system does not measure the amount of fish caught - it only counts fish which are landed. The CFP itself is a direct cause of discarding, and I doubt if it will be satisfactorily reformed."

Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson said he was pleased the parliament had accepted an amendment calling for an instant ban on discards rather than phasing out the practice over the next 10 years as originally proposed.

"We are delighted that our calls for an end to the discards disgrace have finally been heeded,” Mr Stevenson said.

“This report was supposed to tackle the problem of the huge number of healthy fish dumped in our seas every year. But watered down following votes in committee, it became far too timid. We fought hard to strengthen the report and give it some teeth.

"Now we have won this key vote against fierce opposition, we expect to see rapid change. The EU cannot continue to condone a policy which leads to more than one million tonnes of healthy fish being discarded every year.

“We now look forward to the introduction of legislation aimed at putting an end to the discards debate.”