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FISHERMEN in the South East were returning to sea today after learning the amount of Dover sole they are allowed to catch has been increased. A few weeks ago skippers in Ramsgate and Whitstable feared for their livelihoods after the North Sea sole fishery closed .Government negotiations with the Netherlands and Germany have now increased the EU sole quota for boats under 10m (33ft). Every boat can now catch 550lb (250kg) a month, worth about £2,000.
The Marine Management Organisation the body responsible for managing the delivery of Common Fisheries Policy, including the closing and reopening of fisheries when quota allocations has announced that it reached, has secured additional quota in order to reopen the North Sea sole fishery for a limited period. The news has brought much relief to fishermen in the South East in particular who protested recently over the current quota system
Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon said "The reopening of the North Sea sole fishery is great news and is something that I have been working closely with the MMO on securing. Our negotiations with the Netherlands and Germany mean that we now have additional quota of North Sea sole for the under ten metre fleet.”
Chris Parry, Chairman of the MMO said “Quotas are set annually by the European Commission and the MMO has the difficult balancing task of ensuring that stocks are managed throughout the year to maximise the fishing opportunities for the UK industry, whilst ensuring that stocks are not overfished and the UK government and taxpayer does not have to pay steep penalties".
Mr Parry added:" The fishery was closed in July 2010 and, recognising the importance of this fishery to the industry, our quota managers have worked hard to reopen by negotiating quota swaps with other countries. In particular, we have successfully secured swaps from the Netherlands and Germany."
The fishery will be initially open with a monthly catch limit of 250 kg, including the remainder of August. Weekly updates will be posted on the MMO website to advise on the ongoing position.
Should fisheries be closed during breeding time to allow stocks to reach more sustainable levels?
