22 July 2014
The President and Chairman of the NFFO have written a joint letter to Fisheries Minister George Eustice, warning against a one-dimensional MSY approach to setting TACs for 2015.
Our ref: NFFO/3543/BCD/jl
16 July 2014
Open
Letter to UK Fisheries Minister, George Eustice
George Eustice MP
Minister for Fisheries
DEFRA
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Dear Minister,
TACs
for 2015
It would
be difficult to exaggerate the sense of frustration within the fishing industry
over this year’s ICES advice, especially when read in conjunction with the
Commission’s Communication on how it intends to approach the December
negotiations this year.
With a few
exceptions, stock after stock displays low or declining fishing mortality and
steadily rebuilding biomass. The advice also suggests that major cuts quota
will be proposed for 2015.
Fishing
mortality has been steadily falling across all the main species groups since
2000. Biomasses of commercial species in general are responding to this
reduction in fishing pressure, albeit at different rates in different stocks.
Despite this progress, stock after stock faces very significant reductions in
quota for 2015.
There are
always questions over whether the assessments portray an accurate picture of
the stock abundance but the main problem here is not with the science or the
scientists. ICES has been asked to present its catch forecasts and TAC options
in terms of maximum sustainable yield. The quota recommendations in the main
are the result of the rigid application of MSY doctrine, now enshrined in law,
which requires TACs to be set to achieve MSY by 2015, “where possible.”
You will
not find many in the fishing industry who are against steady movement towards
high yield fisheries. The issue is not whether MSY, MEY, or some other proxy
for high yields fisheries should be our objective; the difficulty arises because
an MSY policy approach is linked by law to a rigid timetable and which ignores
biological realities and economic and social consequences.
Fishermen
have done all that has been asked of them in terms of reducing fishing
mortality. Some stocks have responded dramatically to this change; some more
modestly and some hardly at all. Incoming year classes are the key to stock
abundance when fishing pressure has been lowered but recruitment success is not
yet responsive to political dictat. Patience is not a very exciting call to
arms but in many cases it is what is now required.
This
letter is therefore a plea. Given that fishing mortalities on most of our
stocks are now low; given that cutting quotas in mixed fisheries, set on the
basis of single stock assessments, invariably results in discards; given that
another round of TAC cuts at a time when the abundance of fish experienced on
the grounds is increasing generates incomprehension and anger within the
industry; our plea is for you to take the lead in arguing for a pragmatic,
outcome from the autumn negotiations focused on actual outcomes rather than
dogma.
A degree
of flexibility must be used to soften the harsh edges of a rigid MSY policy. If
fish stock abundance was going in a different direction; if fishing mortality
trends were increasing; if TAC cuts didn’t generate more discards, there would
still be a case for a less brutal approach. As it stands we have logic,
fairness, rationality and biological realities on one side and an incoherent,
scientifically challenged, political obligation to apply MSY on the other. We
urge you to use all your resources to persuade the Commission and fellow
ministers to temper this brutal approach with common sense. Stocks are
rebuilding but perhaps we need a little patience.
Yours
sincerely
Paul Trebilcock
President
Tony Delahunty
Chairman