Crisis? What crisis on North Sea ecosystems?

The new Shetland analysis finds that while there have been large fluctuations from year to year, the volume of fish in the North Sea has generally increased over the last 50 years – and in particular over the last 20 years.

The trends in the abundance of Scottish seabirds follow a similar pattern: although seabird populations have fallen in recent years, there are only slightly fewer seabirds overall in Scotland than there were 50 years ago.

The reports suggest that whilst the Scottish government has regularly highlighted falling seabird populations as evidence of a biodiversity ‘crisis’ in Scotland’s seas, seabird populations have returned to broadly ‘normal’ levels in a historical context, following population booms of recent decades.

Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA) executive officer Daniel Lawson said: ” These figures are a reminder that fishing crews know our seas better than anyone, and see the evidence every day of healthy and productive waters. Despite the misleading claims of some anti- fishing campaigners, North Sea fish stocks are far from in decline: we have seen a steady increase over te past 50 years, and particularly in the last 20 years.

“Fishing crews question the government’s assertion that falling seabird numbers indicate a marine biodiversity ‘crisis’. This analysis – looking back over a longer time period – perhaps helps explain that divergence in views.