Minister George Eustice will attend the Fisheries Council in Brussels. (Photo Credit: Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs)
UNITED KINGDOM
Monday, December 15, 2014, 02:50 (GMT + 9)
The UK government expressed its intention to lobby in order to make “a fair deal” on fishing quotas for its fishing industry at this year’s December Council.
At the meeting, it will also seek to ensure next year’s total allowable catches (TACs) take into account the pelagic stocks subject to the discard ban, which comes into force in January 2015.
“I’m committed to supporting our world class fishing industry and will be aiming to deliver a fair deal for our fishermen across the UK. To do this we’ll be using the best and most up to date science available to make the right decisions for our stocks and fishing fleets that depend on them,” pointed out UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice.
For months the UK government has held meetings with fishermen, devolved administrations and environmental NGOs to discuss priorities in order to represent the entirety of UK fisheries and secure the best possible deal at December Council.
“I will be representing the entirety of UK fisheries to achieve our shared goals of a thriving fishing industry, sustainable fish stocks and a healthy marine environment. Setting annual quota ensures the sustainability of our stocks and is a vital process to support the long term future of the industry,” stressed minister Eustice.
In addition, the minister has held bilateral meetings with the head of the EU Commission of Maritime Affairs and the Environment Karmenu Vella, the Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss and Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead to secure reforms to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) so regional differences are taken into account in decision making.
Moreover, the minister welcomed the agreements so far reached as “an encouraging sign” for UK fisheries.
There have been agreements reached between the EU and Norway on fishing opportunities in the North Sea for 2015, by means of which fishermen will now get a five per cent increase in annual quota for cod as well as a seven per cent rise in North Sea haddock and 15 per cent rise in plaice quotas.
There have also been negotiations with the Faroe Islands, which have delivered additional quota for UK fishermen, particular whitefish vessels in Scotland and opportunities to catch a number of species in Faroese waters. This includes a further 817 tonnes of cod and/or haddock and 696 tonnes of saithe.
The European ministers' negotiations in Brussels begin on 15 December and will have concluded by 17 December.