The Scottish Fishermens Federation is challenging the validity of fisheries research conducted by scientists.

A SFF statement said: "The scientific advice on the North Sea cod stocks is seriously flawed."

SFF chief executive Hamish Morrison has written to Mr Poul Degnbol, the chair of the ICES Advisory Committee on Fishery Management pointing out the deficiencies of its research.

If uncorrected, the European Commission may cut the number of days of fishing for cod down to just five days a month.

The SFF statement said: "The problem seems to arise from a wholly unjustified estimate of increased mortality during 2003 leading to an absurd forecast for 2005."

Mr Morrison said, “This is no mere statistical quibble. If this advice is accepted the European Commission will have no option but to reduce trawl fishing to five days a month or to close selected areas of the North Sea. The Cod Recovery Regulation insists that fishing effort must be reduced in direct proportion to mortality reductions required by ICES. Fortunately the stock assessment process was monitored by a panel of independent international scientists and their advice and assistance is being sought to correct these problems.”

*www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish European Fish Trader, Fishing Monthly, Fish Farming Today, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Fishermens’ Federation Diary, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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