18 November, 2008

FISHERIES secretary Richard Lochhead is calling for a “land more, catch less” approach to cod conservation as the European Agriculture and Fisheries Council meets in Brussels today (Tuesday).

With the council set to discuss a new cod recovery plan, Mr Lochhead said he wanted a progressive approach to the intractable problem of quotas and discards.

“Cod stocks are going in the right direction thanks to the sacrifices and commitment from our fleet,” he said.

"We are seeking an outcome that allows our fishermen to land more of what they catch rather than having to dump it overboard, but at the same time promotes measures that reduce the amount of stock taken from the sea in the first place. A ‘land more, catch less’ approach is essential.

"It is also important that any measures agreed for cod do not have unintended consequences for other stocks given that the North Sea is a mixed fishery.

“We will be pressing Europe to avoid viewing substantial cuts in days at sea for the fleet as some kind of easy solution when in actual fact it would inflict unjustified economic damage on our fleet and onshore sector as well. As Scotland has shown this year, there are much better ways of safeguarding stocks."