THERE has been a mixed reaction to the decision by the EU in Brussels to increase fishing quotas in the Irish Sea but to reduce the number of hours boats will be permitted to be at sea.
The new quotas were announced yesterday to the European Common Fisheries Policy following days of detailed debate between EU countries and are designed to maintain preservation of stocks.
More cod and haddock can now be caught, but fishermen have been given much less time to fish for them.
Prices in the shops for Britain’s favourite fish, such as cod and haddock, will almost certainly go up as a result. The Isle of Man will undoubtedly have no choice but to increase prices too.
UK Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon said he had secured “the best possible deal” for the fishing industry after three weeks of behind-the-scenes haggling and two days around the negotiating table.
Benyon fended off moves to cut fishermen’s days at sea to just four a fortnight next year, in exchange for greater national fish conservation efforts.
In a statement yesterday, Mr Benyon said, “After two days of tense and frustrating negotiations I am delighted to have secured the best deal possible for the UK fishing industry and ensure the future sustainability of our fish stocks.
“By arguing that we should follow scientific advice we have been able to agree quotas that will not only allow local fishermen to make a living but will also ensure that we can protect the environment.
“One of my primary goals was to see off the threat of excessive reductions in days at sea which would have put key UK fisheries at risk.”
But the decision has not been well received in Scotland. Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermens’ Federation, said the decision was “a bitter blow” to the Scottish fishing fleet which was already struggling to survive. 45% of time permitted three years ago.
“We avoided being hit by a tsunami, if you like, but we ended up still half drowning. We have an enormous challenge to meet now. It’s not what we expected and it’s not what we thought was going to be delivered.”
Scottish Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson described the negotiations as an “annual circus”,withfisheries ministers arguing with the EU’s bureaucrats. He said it had become “almost as familiar as the Christmas pantomime.”
Irish Marine Minister Simon Coveney said the immediate reopening of the Irish Sea prawn fishery as a very significant hard-won achievement.
In the Celtic Sea the Irish quota for cod is increasing by 77%, haddock and whiting are up 25% and 15% respectively, while quotas for pollock and saithe remain at existing levels. There is a also a 200% rise in the haddock quota off Donegal.
The Irish quota for Celtic Sea herring is also increasing from 11,407 tonnes to 18,236 tonnes - a 60% increase.
