President’s message 2012
Just when a chink of opportunity seemed ahead with the pronouncements by the commission and scientists on the need for better data and greater involvement of fishermen in the provision of information to fill the gaps, it would appear we have another turnaround by the Commission in their treatment of West of Scotland haddock and North Sea herring stocks. Both of these stocks will reach MSY in 2012 – one of the Commission’s key objectives for stocks which can be properly assessed – and the aim is to have all of these to MSY by 2015 or before. However this is being ignored in favour of more restrictive fisheries. This will form a major part of the Federation’s debate with regulators in the immediate future when we will be formulating proposals to counter these measures.
In turn this does not augur well for the prolonged discussion ahead of us about the amendment to the CFP but we must seize the opportunity to provide the basis for more real-time science even if on occasion this leads to quota reduction. Having confidence in the data should be a major step forward. The offers of engagement and the regionalisation aspect are to be welcomed but the reality is that the Commission will still determine the high level objectives and Member States individually or collectively will be left to scramble to meet the regulations required. There is a degree of vagueness in this area which must be urgently and diligently explored.
While the Federation will engage with both the Scottish and UK administrations in taking forward a UK position on the CFP proposals it will be our main concern that practical and viable measures for the fleet are a priority. There is a growing threat that the voice of the green lobby will be given equal credence and this must be strongly challenged while maintaining our stance on achieving fisheries which are sustainable for both fishermen and the environment.
The CFP proposals include a strong plea for better data and by inference improved science. It is suggested that fishermen play their part and the Federation will contend that fishermen have a vast knowledge to contribute to the scientific community which will be particularly relevant in bringing the advice to a real time situation.
In the past year, SFF have been highly involved in the process of debates on the various environmental issues particularly the Scotland and UK Bills and the Marine Framework Strategy Directive emanating from the EU. Thanks to the intense efforts of our consultant, Patrick Stewart, we have managed to date to maintain a regular position with regard to the many facets of these regulations and we will continue to be included in this process. There has also been some inevitable crossover between these regulations and the development of the renewables industry in which we have been engaged and will maintain our brief.
Many of the previous year’s problems are again likely to be compounded this year. The Faroe and Iceland position regarding the mackerel stock remains deadlocked despite the many efforts made over the year to procure a sensible solution. The possible loss of MSC accreditation could also have a serious affect on the price levels which have been achieved as a result of previous good practice. There are some encouraging aspects in this sector in the continued improvement in herring stocks and the imminent restoration of a reasonable blue whiting fishery but neither of these will totally replace the likely damage emanating from an unsatisfactory settlement in the mackerel issue.
Further cuts in quota and effort are threatened for the whitefish and nephrops sector which will put yet more constraints on an already beleaguered fleet. The ongoing efforts of the Scottish fleet to protect cod has done little to benefit the industry despite the praise for the system emanating from many quarters. There is a need to provide practical recognition of the conservation efforts of the whole fleet by others. In real terms there is a requirement to find a more refined system of catch quotas or some alternative to avoid the splitting of the fleet presently occurring. The absence of an agreement with Faroe on Mackerel will again put in jeopardy the viability of the larger vessels in the fleet and further opportunities will be a necessity.
The Nephrops fleet find themselves at the mercy of the perception that they are mass discarders of fish partly due to the method of interpretation and have also suffered considerably in the North Sea from the juvenile closure criteria. It is heartening to note the efforts being made by this fleet to reduce discards by a number of systems relevant to the type and area of fishery prosecuted. Not all matters have been discouraging with a recovery in fishing and markets in some areas being welcomed. The North Sea RAC’s proposals for this sector is nearing completion and this should also provide a basis for progress.
The scallop sector faces further difficulties with over-utilisation of effort in Area
The inshore area continues to develop with the IFG’s now having provided proposals for management in their area with a number of these providing contentious issues. This does however highlight a need for the Federation, through its member Associations, to become more involved with the inshore sectors which is the sector with the greatest number of vessels and crew.
Crab and lobster issues have not really progressed to any real extent largely due to inertia or consultation exercises by the relevant administrations. Threats of rights based management and the imposition of some form of allocation system by the Commission on Member States seem to have diminished if not yet totally disappeared but there have been no decisions on the proposals put forward by the Scottish industry on management. Prices have fluctuated but generally there have again been problems of oversupply which have not been contained in the way the industry has expected. The Federation will continue to liaise closely with industry to try and find solutions.
The CFP Review will loom large in the work schedule of the Federation over the next period but we also must ensure that we do not neglect the many other issues which affect sectors of the industry. We are fortunate that we do have a hard working and loyal staff who will endeavour to cover the issues but I feel it is inevitable that we will have to call on Association representatives and members to closely assist us to meet our objectives. There is an imperative need for involvement in producing better data and that can only be implemented with assistance from these sources.
While wishing you more opportunities in 2012 I would also ask for your practical support in improving this information base.
Alan Coghill
