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Hope raised for EU fishing deal Fishing quota deal 'a mixed bag'
(about 5 hours later)
Fishing leaders hope they could be close to a deal in Brussels which would prevent the effective closure of large areas off the west coast of Scotland. A deal on fish quotas has been agreed in Brussels, averting the worst fears of many parts of the Scottish fleet.
Talks are continuing in an effort to reach a compromise which would reduce the impact of the European Commission's original plan. West coast prawn fishermen were spared the closure of their fishing grounds.
The industry said it can use modified nets to protect threatened species. The UK and Scottish Governments welcomed the EU deal, which included increased catch limits for stocks such as cod in 2009.
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said Scottish fishing communities had to be protected. However the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) said some conservation measures would represent a massive challenge for fishermen to implement.
About 2,000 jobs are thought to be at risk in Scottish ports. The west coast industry is also important to the north east of Scotland fleet. Fishermen can continue fishing for prawns if they use more selective nets to reduce the capture of white fish, and use a range of other conservation measures.
name="goback"> class="bodl" href="#map">See status of European fish stocks (2006) The challenge now is to get these measures in operation and prove that they will work Bertie ArmstrongScottish Fishermen's Federation
Mr Lochhead said: "The closure of west coast fishing grounds proposed by the Commission would devastate communities. The deal also included an expected 30% rise in the quota of North Sea cod and a similar increase for mackerel.
"At any time these proposals would be difficult to accept, but in the current climate they would be an economic and social bombshell. Speaking shortly after the agreement was reached following lengthy annual talks, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "The future of the west coast fishing communities dominated this week's negotiations and there will be huge relief that proposals to close the grounds have been successfully resisted.
"West coast fish stocks are worth around £85m to the Scottish economy and they also support many other businesses." "The bulk of the west coast fleet will now be able to make a living in 2009 although a number of fishermen face a huge challenge in delivering the agreed conservation measures and we will work hard to help them stay viable.
EU fisheries ministers have been holding the annual round of talks to decide the quantities of fish which can be caught from Europe's seas in 2009. "The deal draws to a close the annual fisheries negotiations that have resulted in a number of breakthroughs but also some new challenges."
The ministers, under pressure from environmentalists, have been considering changes that could limit discards, the practice of throwing fish overboard. 'Mixed bag'
Fish are often thrown back into the sea, dead or alive, because the quotas have already been exceeded. He went on: "We refused to accept the original deal on the table and, following a herculean effort and very tough negotiations, we overturned the commission's original plans.
The quota for North Sea cod is expected to be raised by 30%. "As always the final deal represents a mixed bag and there are still some tough times ahead as the fleet adapts to these new measures, but overall we have stood up for Scotland and our fishing communities.
Critics argue the practice of discarding does not make sense, as many fish stocks are in decline and fisheries are shrinking. Today's announcement is disastrous for the fishing industry Willie MackenzieGreenpeace
Thousands of jobs have been lost in Europe's fisheries in the past decade - including about 4,000 in the UK. "In the current economic climate, a secure future for this vital industry has never been more important."
Many claim stringent regulations imposed by the EU can be blamed. SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong said he was pleased that the EU had accepted the alternative proposals, which he said would ensure the continuation of fishing on the west coast.
However, environmental groups say stocks such as cod, tuna and herring have been fished almost to extinction in some European waters. He added: "The challenge now is to get these measures in operation and prove that they will work.
They say the regulations, which represent a compromise between the industry's outlook and scientific advice, are dangerously complacent. "It is essential that the regulations attached to this new deal are practical for fishermen to operate.
The environmental lobby group Greenpeace said that unless Europe's remaining fishing fleet is cut in half, the industry has no long-term future. "In the North Sea, there are possible rewards in this as it gives the potential for fishermen to catch less and land more; however, the changes will present a real challenge, where additional closures and the expensive requirement to rapidly develop more selective gear will prove difficult."
The Commission said North Sea cod had benefited from "the good 2005 intake of young fish", allowing an increase in catches to be proposed in agreement with Norway. About 2,000 jobs had been thought to be at risk in Scottish ports. The west coast industry is also important to the north east of Scotland fleet.
Stocks of hake continue to grow, "demonstrating the benefits of long-term planning", the Commission said. Greenpeace oceans campaigner Willie Mackenzie said: "Today's announcement is disastrous for the fishing industry. The cod quota could lead to fishermen fishing themselves out of a job, because these catch levels could see an end to North Sea cod.
But it noted that some other stocks, such as herring, are "in many areas in an extremely poor condition", and it proposes cuts of at least 25% for those types. "We're forced to witness the annual farce of bungling bureaucrats seriously jeopardising the future for cod and the UK fishing industry.
name="map"> "Moves towards more selective nets and closing areas to reduce discards are very welcome - but that doesn't mean we should ignore the scientific advice."
Map shows proportion of fish types which are overfished (red) and types within safe biological limits (blue). Number in circle is number of fish stocks assessed in each region. Circle size corresponds to magnitude of regional catch. Data source: ICES and GFCM (international maritime organisations). Click to return