EU decides against cod fishing ban
The European Commission has rejected proposals to ban cod fishing in several areas of the North Sea in favour of greater restrictions.
A deal for certain no-go zones was put forward to give chronically low fish stocks a chance to recover.
Scientists have warned that cod, hake and sole are in danger of dying out in some areas and that the only way to revive stocks would be to ban fishing altogether.
But Britain has always fought such plans because of the damage they could do to key Scottish fishing grounds. Ministers also argued that the current fish recovery package has not been in place long enough to justify change, and that there is some evidence that stocks may be increasing again.
There was also bitter opposition from France, who are concerned about steep quota cuts for deep water species of fish.
As a result, the EU has now opted to impose more limits on when and how much trawlers can fish rather than an outright ban, providing these restrictions last for several years.
Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw welcomed the compromise, accepted by all EU countries except Latvia, which objected, and Greece, which abstained.
“As always, our aim in these negotiations has been to take the touch decisions necessary to protect those stocks under threat while maximising opportunity for our fishermen to catch stocks that are healthy.
“This Fisheries Council agreement builds on the cod recovery action taken in recent years. The UK fishing industry has made the biggest contribution to this and I am pleased that this has been reflected in today’s agreement.”
He added that Britain might be willing to support “more radical measures in future, including closed areas, if the state of the stock does not improve.”
Scottish Conservative fisheries spokesman, Ted Brocklebank said though was less sanguine, saying: “This is by no means a brilliant result. Essentially it leaves our whitefish fleet in the same position as last year. Although Ministers drew back from closure areas this year, there is still the potential for closed cod zones depending on the scientific advice.
“The best that can be said from this year’s deal, provided there are no surprises in the official text or ‘unintended consequences’ like last year, is that the agreement offers a glimmer of hope for next year.
“But the only long term solution to the industry’s problem is withdrawing from the CFP and restoring national control. Labour and the Lib Dems won’t withdraw, the SNP can’t withdraw, but the Conservatives will”.
And environmental groups are not happy. They have accused ministers of failing to protect fish stocks and ignoring scientific advice. Fisheries officer for the WWF, Helen Davies, said: “We all want to secure a long term future for commercial stocks and a healthier marine environment but avoiding taking any action isn’t going to help anyone as it will jeopardise fish stock recovery. Some hard decisions have to be made.”
She added that the measures announced amount to “a thoroughly misguided strategy.”
