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Our fishermen must be given enough time at sea to catch the quotas allocated to them, said Scotland's Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead.
Speaking ahead of this week's key Fisheries Council in Brussels, Mr Lochhead said it would be nonsensical for the Commission to reduce days at sea for our fishing vessels while increasing the quotas they are allowed to catch.
The Minister also stressed the importance of listening to science consistently and to increase quotas in line with latest scientific advice, not just impose arbitrary cuts.
Mr Lochhead said: "This weeks Fisheries Council in Brussels is absolutely crucial in determining the health of Scotland's fishing industry next year. In 2010 Scottish landings were worth 435 million pounds, demonstrating the value of the industry to Scotland and to our costal fishing communities in particular.
"What our fishermen need most of all is a commonsense fisheries policy. The bottom line is they simply must be given enough time at sea to catch the quotas allocated to them. It would be utterly ridiculous to end up in a situation where that was not the case, and it cannot be allowed to happen.
"The decisions already reached through the EU-Norway agreement will mean welcome quota increases for some key stocks, with recognition that they have been sustainably managed. North Sea haddock and herring - both certified by the Marine Stewardship Council - as well as whiting are all set for substantial increases. The remaining quotas will be decided this week and I will seek the best possible deal for Scotland while being mindful of the science.
"I firmly believe that adhering consistently to scientific advice is the only way for us to work towards a sustainable future, both for the fish stocks and the fishing industry. But I am clear that means increasing stocks in line with scientific advice, just as we would if it indicated a decrease was necessary. That is only fair to our fishermen.
"I will oppose any measures that will contribute to greater fish discards, which are a shocking waste of an important food source. We know the best way to achieve reduced discards is with practical measures that stop unwanted fish being caught in the first place. The Scottish fleet has seen the greatest reductions in North Sea cod discards achieved in the EU - since 2007 they have reduced from 62 per cent to 29 er cent. While we still need to do more to drive discards down, this shows our efforts are making a difference.
"That is why it was so ludicrous when baffling figures on days at sea cuts under the Cod Recovery Plan were published by the Commission last month – although they have thankfully now been repealed. However, the threat remains that such measures could still be applied in the future. And despite cod only accounting for around five per cent in value of Scotland's catch, these reductions would equally apply to vessels fishing for the other 95 per cent. Yet another incomprehensible position to find ourselves in.
"Such measures would be crippling for a Scottish fleet that has led Europe in implementing more sustainable fishing practices. And such a devastating blow cannot be allowed to land on our fishing industry."
The European Commission Fisheries Council starts on Thursday, December 15, and concludes on Friday, Decemeber 16.
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