Shock Catching Ground Closure Plans Confirmed

Fleet faces disaster if plans go through

Fishing Monthly

Published: 25 October, 2002

INTERNATIONAL scientists confirmed today that cod stocks in the North Sea, Irish Sea and waters West of Scotland are at their lowest recorded level and are in danger of collapse unless urgent action is taken.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea,wants closure of all cod fishing whether directed or by-catch in these areas.

Because haddock and whiting is mostly taken in demersal fisheries with cod the catch ban advice for cod also applies to these species, unless ways to harvest them without incidental catch or discards of cod can be demonstrated.

The North Sea cod restriction would also apply to the Eastern Channel and Skagerrak and is necessary in all the named areas because of very low stock size due to poor stock recruitment and high fishing mortality

The scientists do not set a time limit on the draconian restrictions but say they should stay until there is “clear evidence” of the recovery of the stock to a size associated with a reasonable probability of good recruitment.

Because of low catches outside mixed fishery areas, scientists accept the restrictions will mean “particularly heavy” cuts in haddock and whiting hauls.

In the North Sea, harvesting of additional species-sole, plaice and prawns – may also require “substantial reduction.”

Fishermen’s leaders say the plans must be vetoed.