Scots welcome big increases in monk and Rockall haddock
23rd December 2024
Scottish industry leaders welcomed what was seen as a generally positive result from the UK-EU bilaterals, and notably big increases in the monkfish and Rockall haddock TACs.
Downsides include a 25% reduction in North Sea Nephrops, and the 20% cod cut resulting from the trilateral deal with the EU and Norway.
Figures at this stage of negotiations are not precise because of quota swaps and other technical adjustments, but increases of around 180% for monkfish and 150% for Rockall haddock are expected.
Davie Anderson, chief executive of the Aberdeen FPO, said the overall result of the negotiations was ‘probably one of the most positive outcomes we’ve had in several years’.
He told Fishing News: “They went with the science on saithe and whiting and other stocks, so in the round it’s a positive result apart from the cod situation – and that’s not as bad as it could have been, although it’s still a cause for some concern.
“The monkfish increase especially is welcome, but although it looks huge, it only puts us back to where we were four or five years ago because of the poor science that was done.
“In general, the headline figures are very positive apart from the cod – but there’s always one, they never give you a clean sheet of positive news!”
Daniel Lawson (pictured above), executive officer of the Shetland Fishermen’s Association, pointed out that the benchmarking exercise for monkfish was instrumental in a revision of the stock status, allowing the large increase in quota to be agreed. He highlighted the vital need for a reversal of the cuts to fisheries science budgets in Scotland, which could needlessly cause lost jobs in the sector.
“Putting the funding and scientific effort into losing the ‘data-deficient’ label long attached to monkfish has resulted in a notable quota increase for this valuable species, an important component of vessels’ landings – and an economic boon for our community,” he said.
“This agreement brings monkfish quotas back to where they were in previous years, and rights the wrong of recent precautionary quota cuts driven by the problem of data deficiency. For other species affected, fishing crews stand ready to assist with filling in the blanks of fisheries science.”
Mike Park, chief executive of the SWFPA, also welcomed the overall results of the negotiations, saying the ‘standout results’ for the Scottish fleet were the big increases in monkfish and Rockall haddock
But he pointed out that these were fishing opportunities, and it remained to be seen whether they would be fully taken up.
“The quotas are up, but whether we can catch them or not is another thing. Potentially there could be uncaught quota for these two species, but then who knows? Every year is different.”
Davie Anderson said that what was also needed was healthy markets next year. “It’s all very well having massive increases in quotas, but we have to have the ability to sell it to the general public.”
He said prices had been firmer in recent weeks than for a number of months previously, apart from the smallest selections of haddock, but he hoped the Trinity Seafoods project that will come on stream next year, with facilities to handle large quantities of smaller fish, would help to improve prices for the smallest haddock.
He expected there would be plenty of fishing in the run-up to the festive period, with a high pressure system dominating the weather and ensuring calm conditions.
He also anticipated more fishing at Rockall next year with the cut in the cod quota and the big increase in the haddock quota there. There has not been a lot of fishing there this year as skippers had been able to fish nearer home and keep costs down.
Davie Anderson said he was also hoping that a deal would be agreed during the current negotiations with Faroe, which would allow 10 or 12 of the larger Scottish vessels to fish there, providing a ‘safety valve’ that eases the pressure on quotas and stocks in home waters.
