The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
EU fish negotiations start in Danish capital
The first round of talks between the EU and Norway to set catching opportunities for shared fish stocks for 2016 get under way in Copenhagen today.
The negotiations will cover key species for the Scottish fishing fleet, including North Sea cod, haddock, saithe and herring. Scientific advice is recommendinganincrease for North Sea haddock of at least 30% and North Sea cod of 15%, reflecting the healthy state of many of Scotland’s most important fish stocks.
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said the talks this year comes at a key time as demersal fishers face the introduction of the landing obligation, or discard ban.
Following this week’s talks, there will be a second round of EU/Norway fish quota talks in Bergen.