Minch fishing grounds at risk from East Coast boats 23/12/12
The prospect of stranger east coast trawlers returning to plunder Western Isles prawn stocks has been heightened following the outcome of the annual European fisheries talks.
The west coast and Minch fisheries received a welcomed 18% increase in the amount of prawns allowed to be caught.
However, this risks being more than cancelled out if a fleet of east coast trawlers repeat an onslaught on Minch fishing grounds to make up for reduced fishing in the North Sea where prawns quotas have been slashed.
It means that the Minch fisheries are again vulnerable to an influx of east coast vessels.
Overall, the fisheries deal was far better than expected and measures to implement automatic restrictions were thrown out.
MSP Alasdair Allan said: “The agreement is certainly not perfect, and I will be looking to meet fishermen in the islands in the New Year about its implications.
“However, the agreement will prevent automatic cuts in days at sea and quotas already planned for next year.
“The 18% increase in quota for West Coast nephrops is particularly important for the Western Isles fishing industry. There are also 20% increases for West Coast herring.”
“All of that said, there has to be a better way of negotiating these matters than
the present frantic round of annual negotiations in Brussels. Fishing nations need
more direct control of their fisheries, Scotland needs a seat at the top table, and
we need a process that is driven by science and the needs of the industry – not by
European political horse-
MP Angus B MacNeil said: “I welcome the 18% increase in the prawn quota as prawn and langoustine represents 70% of the value of the landings in the Hebrides.”
He stressed: “It is crucial that the fishery is carefully managed to ensure that we have a sustainable industry on the west coast, especially given the difficulties we had in 2012 and that the kilowatt days are carefully controlled to reach this end.
“Obviously there is still much more to be done to make life easier for the fishing industry but this is a step in the right direction.”
Earlier this year the islands’ prawn fishery came close to being closed when around
50 or so large stranger boats, many of which normally work out of Banff and Fraserburgh,
competed with locals in the best prawn grounds and heavily ate into the west coast
time-
Not only did the crisis risk fishermens’ earnings but also threatened onshore jobs as the local fleet supplies prawns to island factories for export to supermarket chains. Around 75 staff are employed between Barratlantic on Barra and at Youngs in Stornoway.
The Scottish Government stepped in and banned fishing boats without a track record on the west coast. But that ban is due to be lifted in January though it is understood it may be extended to protect island boats.
Meanwhile the days-