THE Scottish Governent has called for a regional approach to fishery conservation, saying that what happened with blue whiting should be a warning to everyone.
Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said that the publication of the latest advice on pelagic stock levels from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) - and in particular the very poor state of the Blue whiting stock - should act as a stark warning about the potential devastating effect of overfishing of mackerel stocks.
"With blue whiting opportunities set to decrease radically following poor management of the stock, resolution of the ongoing mackerel dispute with Iceland and the Faroes becomes ever more important," he said in a statement.
Scientific advice has underlined the vital importance of reaching a satisfactory resolution to the ongoing mackerel dispute, he added.Mr Lochhead met with European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki last week and discussed plans for strong action from the EU if Iceland and the Faroe Islands refuse to be reasonable in formal negotiations over mackerel catches due to take place later this month.
Mr Lochhead said:"The latest advice from ICES comes at a critical time for the Scottish fishing industry. With Blue whiting opportunities set to decrease radically following poor management of the stock, resolution of the ongoing mackerel dispute with Iceland and the Faroes becomes ever more important.
"The terrible state of the Blue whiting stock must serve as a clear warning to everyone involved in the ongoing mackerel dispute. I am clear that significant parallels can be drawn between the two issues.
"In years past we saw a booming stock of Blue whiting, causing some coastal states to pursue massively inflated, unilateral quotas. The EU chose to set quotas in line with scientific advice whilst pursuing an international agreement for responsible management. However, while an agreement was eventually reached in 2005 it came too late to prevent collapse of the stock. Nobody was a winner in this case.
"We now find ourselves at this very cross-roads with mackerel and we cannot sit idly by and allow our valuable mackerel stock to go the same way as Blue whiting. If the EU is to maintain its responsible approach in the face of the irresponsible behaviour, it is vital that everything possible is done to reach a deal and prevent a demise of the stock.
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