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Lyon and McArthur demand action on flawed fisheries science
July 2, 2010 2:32 PM
George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, and Scottish Liberal Democrat Fisheries Spokesman Liam McArthur MSP have joined forces to back the Scottish Fishermen's Federations (SFF) call for the UK to demand that the European Commission should act to ensure that recommendations on next year's fishing quotas are based on accurate science and not on the incomplete data currently held by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea).
Mr Lyon has written to European Fisheries Commissioner, Maria Damanaki, to draw her attention to the admission by ICES that their stock assessment and recommendations announced this week were uncertain and are affected by incomplete information - for example required data on discards has not been received from French, Belgian and Dutch fisheries. Mr McArthur is also taking the matter up with UK Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon.
Commenting, Mr Lyon said:
"The Scottish fleet has led the way in using innovative techniques and technology in order to conserve fish stocks, but their efforts are being consistently undermined by other EU Member States failing to live up to their responsibilities.
"Working with inaccurate data leads to serious problems with catch quotas which our fishermen have seen reduce time and time again.
"Enough is enough. I am seeking an urgent meeting with Commissioner Damanaki to impress upon her that she must take action to force Member States that have failed to supply the require date to do so as a matter of urgency."
Mr McArthur added:
"Decisions need to be taken on the basis of science. That is why it is absolutely critical that the scientific evidence is complete and up to date. The concerns raised by SFF cast serious doubt on the extent to which that is the case and the failure of some Member States to provide the data required of them is simply not acceptable.
"The experience of fishermen on the fishing grounds is that stocks are in a healthier state than ICES suggest and it is important that more effective ways are found to incorporate this direct experience into the scientific calculations. In the meantime, it would be completely wrong for further swingeing cuts to be imposed on effort and quota thanks to discard data being withheld by other European fisheries departments."
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