At present, the UK is ordered to see 80% of its North Sea haddock quota taken by vessels holding a special permit. Therefore 20% can be taken by boats not in possession of a permit.

The cod protection area is a zone within which UK vessels cannot fish with a permit, therefore the expectation is that most of the 20% of the allowed quota will be taken in there. But you can fish outside that area without a permit as well.

According to industry sources, the likely proposition to come from the European Commission is that 65% of the quota will in future be taken with a permit and 35% taken without a permit.

Meanwhile, it appears that the Commission will also propose restructuring the cod protection box by removing some of the areas which constitute the Fladen prawn catching area and reinstating them adjacent to the Norwegian sector in areas more associated with cod catching.

In addition, by catches of haddock by prawn vessels are likely to be disregarded.

An amendment to the force majeure provision to end days’ penalties for skippers going to the aid of other vessels is also understood to be on the cards.

Proposals for changes in the regime are already going through the EU machinery but will have to go to working groups and then finally for Council approval.

The first available council where the issue could be settled would be towards the end of March

Meanwhile Scottish industry leaders left a meeting with fisheries department officials in Edinburgh today convinced that there will be changes in the regime.

But Hamish Morrison chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation said:

“I think it is very clear that the adjustments will be substantial rather than fundamental.”

Meanwhile, Mike Park, chairman of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association said he had to take a cautious approach:“I am very reluctant to be upbeat,” he said.

Tonight a spokesman for the Scottish fisheries department said:

“We cannot speculate on the outcome of our negotiations with the Commission to secure a higher proportion of haddock that can be taken without special permits, as well as securing changes to the Cod Protection Area boundaries and the treatment of landings made prior to the launch of the NS haddock permit scheme.

“We are aware of the industry’s concerns that the days at sea regime fails to make provision for exceptional circumstances and could disadvantage, for example, fishermen spending time going to the aid of a stricken vessel. We have made clear that, in implementing the days at sea arrangements, we will not disadvantage fishermen in such circumstances; and we understand the Commission to be considering an amendment to the European regulation to make appropriate provision for that.”

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