No. 154

Fishermen angry at European Union decision to reduce number of days at sea

Britain’s fishermen have condemned a European Union deal on fishing which will keep their boats tied up for longer as a "bitter blow" to the industry.

Although the British fishing fleet will be allowed to catch bigger quotas, it faces an estimated 15 to 25 per cent cut in the number of days at sea following marathon talks which ended at dawn on Saturday in Brussels.

As a result of the deal the UK’s fleet will be confined to port for longer than ever.
That will make it hard for trawlers to take advantage of some big rises in fish catch quotas agreed following the success of conservation measures in some regions.

Britain fended off moves to cut fishermen’s days at sea to just four a fortnight next year, in exchange for greater national fish conservation efforts. But boats will still be confined to ports for longer than before.

The number of days each vessel is allowed out will be cut from 105 days a year to 90, though vessels will be able to 'buy back' extra days by avoiding cod fishing as part of tougher environmental protection measures.

Read more |  The Telegraph, 18.12.11

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