Call for urgent reforms to “save” west coast fishing 29/12/12
The Scottish Government, fishing industry, and EU must take urgent and effective
steps if fisheries in the west of Scotland are to have a future, said WWF Scotland
today.
The environmental group issued the stark warning following analysis of data on landings,
discards, scientific advice, and quotas for the 91,000 square mile fishing area off
the west of Scotland.
According to scientists at the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas
(ICES), in 2011 discards of haddock, cod and whiting were all at unsustainable levels.
These species are a by-catch for the Western Isles fleet which mainly fishes for
prawns.
WWF called for the introduction of more selective fishing gear such as ‘flexible
grids’ which allows fish to escape from prawn trawls.
It highlighted it also wants the existing Cod Recovery Plan adapted to the needs
of the fisheries on the West of Scotland.
Dr Mireille Thom, Senior Marine Policy Officer at WWF Scotland said: “Despite a number
of positive initiatives, Scotland needs to continue the drive towards restoring fish
stocks in the West of Scotland, which would allow communities and fishing fleets
to thrive.
“We are calling on all stakeholders, including politicians, industry and non governmental
agencies to work together to agree a way forward. We already know this joint approach
has started to work in the North Sea, with cod discards by Scottish vessels more
than halved since 2008.
“Unless there is a concerted effort by all the key stakeholders then the future for
the West of Scotland fisheries, and those who rely upon it for a living, is pretty
bleak.”
“Another crucial factor is to ensure the current reform of the Common Fisheries Policy
changes the way European fisheries are managed. The current top-down model cannot
deliver sustainability.”