EU unveils plans for more restrictions on fishing

Another major round of fishing cuts was proposed by the European Commission today, including the closure of dangerously-depleted cod grounds in the North Sea, Irish Sea and off the west of Scotland.

Reductions of up to 60% in herring catches, 34% for cod and 27% for mackerel were also included in the latest belt-tightening measures beleaguered fleets are being asked to absorb.

The Commission says it is balancing the urgent need for reinforced conservation measures with the equally important need to keep the industry in business.

But there is little for hard-pressed fishermen to welcome in the latest seasonal message from Brussels, which warns the industry it must endure more short-term pain for long-term gain after years of over-fishing.

Europe’s new fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg described the proposals as “a balance between what is biologically necessary and what is economically reasonable”.

He said: “Although much has already been achieved, some tough measures are still required to rebuild endangered fish stocks.

“To achieve that while delivering more stability in fishing, we need long-term recovery plans and better compliance on the one hand and greater involvement of stakeholders on the other.”

The “stakeholders” – fishermen themselves – have been closely consulted in the run-up to this year’s proposals.

But that has not resolved the dispute between scientists who say fish stocks have never been worse, particularly for cod, and an industry insisting a revival has begun.

Today’s proposals are based largely on the latest gloomy reports from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), made up of experts from 19 countries.

That was reinforced by yesterday’s equally-gloomy assessment from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, which proposed a ban on commercial fishing in 30% of UK waters.

The European Commission insisted today that it did not systematically follow scientific advice to the letter but looked at alternative ways of delivering sustainable fish stocks.

Those include ever-tighter policing of fishing and catch landings at ports, controls in mixed fishing grounds to avoid the taking of cod as a “by-catch” while fishing for hake or whiting and restrictions on days at sea – currently fifteen per month.

The resulting compromise proposals will now be the subject of intense haggling between EU fisheries ministers at talks in Brussels just before Christmas.

They include the establishment of closed areas to cod fishermen in the North Sea, Irish Sea, eastern channel and the west of Scotland.

Where cod fishing is allowed, the permitted catch is reduced by up to 34%.

Other cuts proposed in some EU fishing grounds include mackerel (27%), saithe (24%), plaice, skate, common sole and whiting (20%).

Some increases are proposed where stocks are plentiful, including a 61% increase in the whiting catch in some areas, an increase of 22% for blue whiting, up to 20% more on the haddock quota and a 9% rise for hake.

The Commissioner defended the severity of today’s measures, saying: “The objective is to rebuild severely depleted stocks and protect those in sound biological state while maintaining, as far as possible, the economic activities of the fleets concerned.

“Essentially, the Commission proposes more stable total allowable catches, as called for by stakeholders, through the application of multi-annual recovery plans, in line with the long-term approach adopted under the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.”

But the jargon cannot disguise the anguish ahead as fishermen brace themselves for another tough year of restrictions and limited incomes.