Fishing cuts called for
A new report into the fishing industry has called for further cuts to the white fish fleet.
The report said 30 per cent of the UK white fish fleet should remain docked for four years, with a minimum of 13 per cent scrapped.
But Alex Smith, president of the Scottish Fisherman’s Federation, criticised the plan.
“Asking the industry to tie up their fleet for up to four years is completely unrealistic.
“You can’t even mothball a vessel for six months – how do you manage it?”
The prime minister initiated the report in January last year, amidst concerns over falling cod stocks.
“I want the UK to give a lead in reforming the Common Fisheries Policy – by pushing the European Union further down the path of managing fish stocks on a regional level,” he said.
“This will give us more influence over the type of management regimes that best suit our fishing waters.”
UK fisheries minister Ben Bradshaw added: “We are confident that based on this report, together with the industry, we can manage our way through to a successful, profitable long-term future for the fishing industry in the United Kingdom.”
Currently European fishing rules limit Scottish fishing boats to 15 days a month in the North Sea.
Protected breeding grounds are advocated by many fishermen as an alternative to further quota reductions.
