Fish: New quota system in North Sea praised
15 December 2009
European Fisheries Ministers this evening (Tuesday 15 December) granted North Sea states, including Scotland, permission to trial a new system of catch quotas. This will significantly reduce discards in the North Sea according to environment organisation WWF Scotland. [1]
Welcoming the news, Louize Hill, Marine Policy Officer at WWF Scotland said:
“This is great news and a positive step on the road to finally solving the problem of discards. Letting governments and industry take responsibility for the way they manage fisheries can have significant benefits, as the Conservation Credits Scheme operated in Scotland has already shown. As we prepare for a lengthy debate on the Common Fisheries Policy reform, this decision shows that the Northern sea countries are now ready to take steps necessary to ensure the future of our fisheries.” [2]
Notes to the editors:
[1] The EU Fisheries Council has been meeting in Brussels this week. WWF Scotland has pressing EU Member States to adopt conservation measures including proposed trials of CCTV cameras on vessels and move from landing to catch quotas in the North Sea.
[2] Scottish Government response to EU Fisheries Council meeting
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/12/16083517
[3] Scottish Conservation Credits Scheme:
http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/scottish_conservation_credits_scheme.pdf
