Unsurprisingly given Brexit Government pitched their announcement in terms of the quota increases for some stocks, whilst MMO have released advice for bass Bass fishing – catch limits,closures and minimum size. No doubt there will further commentary on what these decisions mean for stocks.
Defra December 14 Quota Outcomes ‘Today the UK government achieved agreements supporting UK fishermen and sustainable fishing at the annual EU talks on fishing quotas. Increased fishing quotas for some valuable species have been agreed at December EU Fisheries Council today, with stocks recovering after years of the UK’s insistence on limiting catches within sustainable scientific limits.
While challenges remain for some species, the UK Government secured significant quota increases for fishermen around all parts of the UK including:
- North Sea: Cod +16.5%, Whiting +17%, Anglerfish + 20% and Saithe +53%
- Irish Sea: Haddock +25% and Nephrops (Langoustines) +8.6%
- Western Channel: Haddock +7% and Sole +20%
Where the latest scientific evidence supported it, the UK Government also lobbied against unnecessary quota cuts proposed by the European Commission, securing the same quota as last year for many species, including Pollack and Anglerfish in the Celtic Sea and Plaice in the Bristol Channel. These important rollovers will provide stability for fishermen who rely on these species.