Marine

Cod stock recovering

October 18, 2013 by Marine Scotland Communications No Comments | Category Fisheries

Speaking immediately after the EU Fisheries Council in Luxembourg Scotland’s Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead said:

“The good news out of today’s Council is that there is general consensus among Ministers, and indeed acknowledged by the Commissioner herself, that cod stocks are recovering.

“We now await further scientific advice which is due out very soon, which will hopefully reflect this and advise an uplift in Total Allowable Catch (TAC) rather than a cut is actually possible and indeed more than that the only sensible thing to do.

“To suggest a cut when stocks are recovering would cause a huge problem for our fleet in their attempt to tackle discards. And we would yet again see consequences which directly oppose what we are trying to achieve.

“Should this ridiculous situation arise, or a cut in days at sea be suggested in these circumstances, it must surely be the final nail in the coffin for the widely discredited Cod Recovery Plan, which is doing far more harm than good.

“It was disappointing that the UK Government did not allow the request of the Scottish Government to speak on these important issues today, especially given there was a change in UK Fishing Minister just 10 days ago. However, it’s not surprising given the number of situations in the past when our requests to speak have been declined. It would appear that whatever situation occurs the circumstances are never right for us to take the chair and that’s hugely disappointing and frustrating.”

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