The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recommended a total allowable catch (TAC) limit of 10,457 metric tons in the North Sea cod fishery for 2020.

The advice covers the North Sea, eastern English Channel and Skagerrak.

The recommendation is a 63 percent cut from last year’s recommendation of 28,803 metric tons, and a 70 percent cut from last year’s quota of 35,357 metric tons.

The recommendation includes 8,613 metric tons of wanted catch and 1,844 metric tons of bycatch for 2020.

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federations (SSF) slammed the decision, claiming the downswing in cod stocks will damage its fleet.

Other fishing groups also reacted negatively.

“The latest ICES advice on North Sea cod is a hammer blow to an industry that has been instrumental over the past decade in rebuilding this stock to the point where the Marine Stewardship Council accreditation was received two years ago,” Chairman of the Scottish Fisheries Accreditation Group (SFSAG) Mike Park said.

Declining stocks

The North Sea cod fishery received the MSC stamp in 2017, a decade after stocks were close to collapse.

Following the recommendation cut, fishermen associations pledged to help stocks recover.

"The primary cause of this twist of fortune, the scientists tell us, is related to climate change, that means the situation is not fully within our control," said the SFSAG.

"However, the industry remains 100 percent committed to sustainable catching and is united in its desire to do what it takes to rebuild the cod stock."

Fisheries

ICES slashes North Sea cod advice by 63%