Fishing quota rules change
Fishermen targeting pelagic species such as mackerel now have to land all the fish they catch. The ban on discarding surplus fish has been achieved after a long battle with the Common Fisheries Policy, and UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice spoke warmly about ending ‘the shameful practice of discarding perfectly good fish’.
On Arran, COAST welcomed the arrival of an economic assessment for the management of the Scottish inshore fisheries. It supports the exclusion of high impact fishing methods such as trawling and dredging within 3 miles of the shore and suggests alternative uses for these waters that could have huge economic benefits. Banning the ‘mobile gear’ used by dredgers and trawlers opens the way for better breeding rates among many fish species and could, according to the Scottish Government’s report, see Scotland creating more jobs through tourism, recreational angling, diving and the enjoyment felt by the general public. It was estimated that there could be as much as a £1.3bn benefit for the Scottish economy over the next twenty years and a net gain of 1,490 new jobs.
COAST chairman Howard Wood welcomed the report, saying it showed that ‘abrasive fishing methods in our valuable inshore waters’ were a mistaken process. An appeal from COAST to the public asked people to e-mail Marine Scotland, asking for this damaging activity to be stopped. Messages should be sent to Marine Scotland. COAST asks to be copied in, on (info@arrancoast.com) and your email should include the short data protection waiver statement. (See link below).
COAST says:
If you would like to help us, the main points to emphasize in your letter are:
- There should be a complete ban on dredging and bottom trawling within the entire South Arran MPA.
- The current proposals for a patchwork of management zones within the MPA are unenforceable.
- Over 1300 people have already supported the exclusion of trawlers and dredgers from the MPA as part of the designation consultation.
- Allowing dredging and trawling to continue within the South Arran MPA makes a mockery of the designation.
COAST adds:
Please feel free to add your own points, the more diverse the letters are the stronger our case. If you would like some advice on drafting your letter, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Tel:01770 600656. Or see our website – click here.
Download Data Protection Waiver from the Scottish Government here.
