> BID TO CUT FISH DISCARDS
> http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/16562
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> The Scottish Government is seeking support from the EU and Norway to expand its innovative scheme that cuts cod discards while allowing fishermen to land more fish. >
> An expansion of catch quotas for 2012 is dependent on the outcome of the annual negotiations with Norway, during which fishing quotas for the shared fish stocks between the EU and Norway – including North Sea whitefish which is of vital importance to Scotland – will be agreed. >
> The catch quota scheme provides an alternative to traditional quotas, when vessels have set limits and are forced to throw excess fish back in the sea, dead. Under catch quotas, fisherman land more fish whilst catching less – in return for landing all cod without discards. >
> Senior Scottish Government officials are taking part in the first round of the negotiations, which get underway in Brussels tomorrow (November 15). >
> Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Discards are enforced on our fishermen by a failing Common Fisheries Policy and are a shocking waste of a precious food resource. We want to see our fishermen land all they catch and command a price for each fish – in return for taking less out of the sea in the first place. >
> “That is what catch quotas help to achieve. For 2011 we were able to expand the scheme to 23 vessels, around a quarter of the whitefish fleet. However, many more skippers wanted to join, which is why I am seeking agreement to allow all Scottish vessels who wish to take part to do so. >
> “As the European Commission has acknowledged, catch quotas can form an important of the solution as we build towards a discard-free fishery. We now need the Commission and Norway to back our efforts and agree to an expanded scheme next year.” >
> The first round of the annual EU-Norway fishery negotiations is from November 15 to November 18. The key shared fishery quotas to be agreed are cod, haddock, whiting, saithe and herring. A second round of negotiations is planned to take place at the end of this month. >
> Following successful catch quota trials in 2010 involving 17 Scottish boats, an expanded 23 vessel scheme took place in 2011. >
> Under catch quotas vessels can land, rather than be forced to discard, an extra amount equal to 12 per cent of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for cod. This is less than the amount fishermen are estimated to have discarded under the traditional quota system. To ensure there are no discards, the fishing practices of participating vessels is fully documented through on-board cameras. >
> In 2009, Scottish vessels were forced by the Common Fisheries Policy to discard almost 28,000 tonnes of fish, around a quarter of the whitefish catch, valued at 33 million pounds.
Traditional Western fishing methods and rules are unsustainable
