Scottish fishermen have revealed plans to fund additional surveys of North Sea white fish stocks in a bid to tackle the Scottish Government's 'poor science'.
The Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA) and the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association (SWFPA) are organising “rigorous, transparent studies of key fish stocks that are fit for purpose”.
The groups, which account for more than 80% of the UK’s white fish catches, criticised the Scottish Government for following “poor science” in its recent decision to close the Clyde cod-box, which led to its plans to fund its own scientific research into the North Sea.
The associations will reach out to international partners in Norway and Denmark to ensure the work covers the entire Northern North Sea.
Fishermen from both associations met in Aberdeen last week to explore a new initiative, amid what they described as indifference from the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and fisheries managers towards the urgent need for reform.
James Anderson, chairman of the SFA, said: “Skippers are at the end of their tether – we’ve all had enough of a failed fisheries management system that is putting viable boats at risk.
“We have lost all faith in fisheries management but can’t afford to wait so we are going to act with others to help fix it.
“Poor science really matters because it leads to quota recommendations that bear no resemblance to the volume of fish on the ground.”
Davie Milne, SWFPA chairman, added: “We are in a position where perfectly responsible businesses operating in highly productive waters with abundant fish are in serious danger.
“And all the while politicians hide behind the ‘best available science’ - the science is actually the worst available science because it comes from only one source.
“Government has abandoned its responsibility to provide appropriate and complete scientific data – so we will take that responsibility upon ourselves.”
Earlier this month, the Scottish Government u-turned on its decision to close off the Clyde cod fishing area, reducing the size by 28% following “extremely conservative talks” with stakeholders.
The Scottish Government announced that parts of the Clyde will close to all fishing activity between 14 February and 30 April this year and next, to protect cod during their spawning season.
It was a change from the previous closure, which included exemptions to allow nephrops (prawn) trawlers, creelers and scallop dredgers to continue to fish in the area.
At the time, the Clyde Fishermen’s Association claimed it was purely a political decision and not science-based.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “As a result of these discussions and based on the scientific evidence, we have introduced closures that are more focused and targeted, reducing the overall size of the closure compared to previous years by 28%.
“However, this part of the Clyde area will still largely be closed to all fishing, eliminating disturbance during these critical 11 weeks for future cod stocks.
“We will continue our engagement with all parties involved and increase monitoring of activity in order to assess progress.
“The revised closure areas are a pragmatic and evidence-based solution to ensure that primarily, we are still seeking to protect the spawning cod whilst also mitigating potential socio-economic impacts on our vulnerable coastal communities.”
Last month, the fishing communities were angered over the closure of the cod-box to conserve stocks.
Phil Taylor, head of policy at Open Seas, told The National: “The population on the west coast has declined from more than 50,000 tonnes in 1981 to 3300 in 2020.
“We are deeply disappointed that Scottish Ministers have made a depressing u-turn on their plans to recover cod.
“This not only threatens the purpose of the seasonal closure, it also flies in the face of ministers' own rhetoric to provide 'maximum protection' to spawning cod.”
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
