“The initial basic allocation includes a very severe reduction, particularly for some sections of the fleet. The changes in gear and in fishing patterns required to recover some of those days back will make a very real difference to commercial viability", he said.
“The reason for these measures in the first place is to reduce – in a recovering stock – the total amount of cod removed from the sea. The Scottish industry has demonstrated a willingness to make this happen and will continue to do so. There will now be a period of consultation and the end result has to be a set of measures that will permit an industry that is already fishing sustainably to remain commercially sustainable as well.”
SFF: Cod Cut Lays Big Challenges Ahead
SCOTLAND, UK - Responding today to the Scottish Governments announcement of details of the interim days-at-sea scheme, Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermens Federation, said the industry must not fail to recognise the stark reality that this year there is less available effort or time at sea to go round.
