Wednesday, 27th May 2009
Brussels discriminating against west coast fishermen
Prawn and scallop fishermen in the Firth of Clyde and off the West Coast of Scotland are facing ruin because EU regulations are being applied indiscriminately, according to Conservative Euro MP, Struan Stevenson.
Around 120 vessels targeting prawn, scallops and flatfish, whose catch includes less than 1.5 per cent cod, should, under cod-recovery plan regulations, be exempt. But, so far, appeals have fallen on deaf ears.
Speaking following a meeting with fishermen in Campbeltown, Struan Stevenson said:
“It seems that Brussels is turning a deaf ear to the pleas of our fishermen. Although they are not catching cod, they have so far failed to receive exemption from the terms of the recovery plan. If this continues, by January 2010, their days at sea will be cut from a maximum 200 this year to 150 next year on the West Coast. This would be the last straw for many of them, who would be forced out of business. It is already virtually impossible for them to earn a living when they are only allowed to fish for just over half the year. A reduction would be catastrophic.
Following his visit to Campbeltown, Struan Stevenson has written to Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg to highlight their plight, urging for an immediate lift to the restrictions on these fishermen. He continues:
“These are mostly small-scale, family-owned vessels that try to make a fairly meagre living from catching prawns and scallops. They pose no threat to cod stocks whatsoever. Indeed some of the Campbeltown fishermen told me that they haven’t seen a cod in their nets for years. Why then are these heavy-handed regulations being applied to them?
“There is a clear exemption written into the rules which excludes vessels whose catch of cod is negligible. Why has the Commission refused to grant this exemption? It is a case of real discrimination against Scottish fishermen.”
Notes to Editors
Exclusion of groups of vessels from the effort management system is permitted under the provisions of Article 11(2) of the ‘Long-term plan for cod stocks’, Council Regulation (EC) No 1342/2008.’
On 20 February 2009 (reference: D(2009) 01764), the UK Authorities submitted a request to the Commission, to exempt certain groups of vessels from the effort management regime under the provisions of that Article.
However, STECF, scientific advisers to the Commission, recommended that the request be refused because the application contained insufficient information on catches, fishing gear and vessel data. Further information has now been submitted but no news has been forthcoming from the Commission.
