Written Question · S2W-09875 · Session 2
Whether it has received representations from the West of Scotland Fish Producers Organisation dated 28 July 2004; if so, whether it will re…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations from the West of Scotland Fish Producers Organisation dated 28 July 2004; if so, whether it will respond to those representations; whether it will seek a 20% increase in the west of Scotland nephrops quota, and what its position is on the figures for cod stocks produced by the “cod association” and the reasons for the reduction in the total cod catch given by the Fish Producers Organisation as detailed in its representations of 28 July.
The answer
Representations have been received by the Scottish Executive from West of Scotland Fish Producers Organisation. A full reply will be sent separately, in accordance with the normal arrangements for official replies to correspondence.
New scientific information has been presented to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) concerning the abundance of west coast nephrops stocks. On the basis of single stock analysis, the new information suggests that a quota increase of 15% is warranted. However the current advice from ICES is presented in the context of mixed fisheries, not single stocks, and it explicitly states that managers should take the by-catch of cod into account when managing west of Scotland Nephrops fisheries.
The Scottish Executive is committed to securing an increase in the west of Scotland Nephrops TAC, but will formulate a firm position, in consultation with stakeholders, on the appropriate level of any increase and any necessary measures for reducing the perceived cod associations, only after a response to the UK’s special request for additional advice from ICES on the West of Scotland Nephrops stocks has been received.
On the basis of scientific advice, the reduction in cod stocks in the west of Scotland is not due solely to the warming of seas around our coasts nor is there firm evidence that the cod stocks will not recover. Advice received from ICES is that fishing effort on west of Scotland cod stocks has exceeded safe levels in every year since 1976.
New scientific information has been presented to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) concerning the abundance of west coast nephrops stocks. On the basis of single stock analysis, the new information suggests that a quota increase of 15% is warranted. However the current advice from ICES is presented in the context of mixed fisheries, not single stocks, and it explicitly states that managers should take the by-catch of cod into account when managing west of Scotland Nephrops fisheries.
The Scottish Executive is committed to securing an increase in the west of Scotland Nephrops TAC, but will formulate a firm position, in consultation with stakeholders, on the appropriate level of any increase and any necessary measures for reducing the perceived cod associations, only after a response to the UK’s special request for additional advice from ICES on the West of Scotland Nephrops stocks has been received.
On the basis of scientific advice, the reduction in cod stocks in the west of Scotland is not due solely to the warming of seas around our coasts nor is there firm evidence that the cod stocks will not recover. Advice received from ICES is that fishing effort on west of Scotland cod stocks has exceeded safe levels in every year since 1976.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-09875 by reference.