1 January, 2008

THE SCOTTISH Government is extending its schemes to protect the North Sea's cod stocks.

As of today (Tuesday), fishermen are being asked to sound the alarm when they come across spawning cod so the area can be closed to fishing.

The measure comes in addition to a similar scheme protecting juvenile and undersized cod.

Fishing minister Richard Lochhead said compliance with the voluntary scheme introduced earlier this year had been "excellent".

The real time closure for spawning cod will run as of today until 30 April, the minister said.

"For the first four months of 2008 we will be operating real time closures with the purpose of protecting spawning cod. We have issued a map to fishermen which identifies areas where spawning cod can be expected to be found.

"We are actively encouraging fishermen to avoid these areas where possible. But if spawning cod are found in these or other areas the fishermen will be asked to sound the alarm and a real time closure will come into affect," he said.

He added that the work of the government in co-operation with the Scottish fishing industry has already paid off as Scottish fishermen were given extra days at sea in return for adopting sustainable fishing practices.