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European decision on whitefish stocks
20/12/2002
Scottish fishermen (in all cod related fisheries) will be permitted to fish for fifteen days per month - starting from 1 February 2003 - as part of a package of measures to reduce fishing mortality.
Minister for Environment and Rural Development Ross Finnie expressed frustration today that it had not proved possible to obtain a more favourable deal for the Scottish fishing industry.
Speaking in Brussels, the Minister said:
"I am in no doubt we got the best deal possible. I am well aware of the concerns, which will be felt by Scotland's fishermen, their families and fishing communities the length and breadth of the country.
"Despite extracting substantial improvements through our negotiations these interim measures will cause difficulties - both offshore and onshore - for our hard pressed fishing industry.
"I want to put on record my appreciation for the enormous and unstinting efforts of those representing our fishing industry over the last few days.
"I argued for the best possible deal, but let us be clear - it has taken a substantial effort to extract fifteen days at sea, improvements to catches, and the other measures from this Council.
"At the end of the day there was not sufficient support from other delegations in the Council of Ministers for any other outcome. However, we put our case forcefully and the Commission and Council were left in no doubt about the implications the proposals would have on Scottish fishing communities.
"Once Fisheries Council was concluded I met with fishing industry representatives to update them on the decisions reached by EU Ministers.
"Given the extent of the financial impact of the decision, the Scottish Executive is considering a reasonable financial package. The First Minister and I will be holding urgent discussions with the industry on Monday.
"I will be making a statement to the Scottish Parliament on 8 January."
The annual December Fisheries Council took place in Brussels from 16 - 20 December.
The main decisions reached at Fisheries Council included:
* Reform of CFP;
* Recovery Plan for Cod and Hake;
* Quotas for 2003.
The Commission initially proposed a complete closure. More recently, they proposed 65 per cent reductions and draconian seven days a month limit on fishing. We have secured 15 days per month.
The Commission proposal would have imposed a flat rate of seven days per month on our whitefish fishermen without any scope for adjustment of days to suit different needs. We have secured flexibility so that days can be traded between boats and carried forward from month to month.
The Commission also proposed a five per cent reduction in Nephrops quota. As a result of our negotiations the Nephrops sector has been largely protected in this settlement with quota unaffected and sufficient opportunity to catch that quota i.e. twenty five days at sea. We have also secured exclusion from the regime for all under 10 metre vessels.
Quotas
The Commission initially proposed zero TACs for cod, haddock and whiting. As a result of our agreement to a days at sea scheme, they have agreed to reduce these quotas by less than 50 per cent. This will have a severe impact on the industry; but it allows fishing to continue and gives us the opportunity to manage this process of change.
CFP Reform
We have secured our objectives of protecting the 6 + 12 mile limits, relative stability (including Hague Preference), and the Shetland Box.
Multi-annual management plans and Regional Advisory Council also represent a major step forward in the management of fisheries.
We are disappointed by the continuation of subsidies for modernisation, but we welcome agreement to phasing them out by 2006.
This release was published on 23/12/2002.