Fishermen granted extra sea time

Trawlers are to be given more time at sea

Scotland's fishermen have been granted an extra two days a month to trawl the North Sea.

The announcement was made by the European Fisheries Commissioner, Franz Fischler, who has been under pressure to grant more time to the industry.

It comes after intensive lobbying from the fishing industry over restrictions imposed under the Common Fisheries Policy.

The industry has described the move as a "vindication" of their campaign.

Most UK fishermen targeting cod and haddock are currently restricted to an average of 15 days fishing per month, as a result of restrictions put in place to conserve threatened stocks.

But the European Commission wants fishermen with special haddock permits be allowed more time at sea.

This outcome is the vindication of a closely argued campaign stretching back to last February when this ill-advised measure was first introduced Scottish Fishermen's Federation

Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie said the Scottish Executive would campaign to have the proposals formally introduced.

However the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) and the SNP said the plans should have been put forward long before now.

Mr Finnie said: "We have consistently pressed the case for additional days at sea based on scientific evidence that the additional haddock management arrangements will allow Scottish vessels to target haddock without compromising the recovery of threatened cod stocks.

"Based on the evidence we provided and the effective enforcement arrangements that we put in place, the commission has agreed to propose a further two days at sea for vessels using the special haddock permits.

"We will continue to press for these additional days to be adopted by the council and to come into effect in time to allow Scotland's fishing fleet to take full advantage of the increase in haddock quota secured at December's council."

Hamish Morrison, chief executive of the SFF, gave the decision a guarded welcome.

"This outcome is the vindication of a closely argued campaign stretching back to last February when this ill-advised measure was first introduced," Mr Morrison said.

He added: "Any feeling of relief amongst fishermen is bound to be offset by a justified anger that it has taken so long to correct this initial blunder.

"As a result the modest relief will translate into only six additional days taken over the whole year."