UK fisheries gear up for EU December Council negotiations

UK Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon has pledged tofight the industry’s corner at the December Fisheries Council. Hewants to ensure the industry’s position is consistent with maximumsustainable yield (MSY) objectives, will not increase discards, andthat the argument is backed by scientific evidence.

The minister met industry representatives andstakeholders at a meeting in Cardiff recently to set out the UnitedKingdom’s position during the vital autumn negotiations on fishingopportunities in 2013 which culminate at the December Council.

On MSY, the Commission is pushing a framework toachieve this for some stocks by 2013. 

The industry and the minister say it isunjustified: They aim for a gradual approach and a longer timeframe.

There is agreement on the need to reduce discards,but the industry pointed out reducing quotas in mixed fisheries --as the Commission is proposing for many stocks in 2013 -- willsimply increase discards.

Barrie Deas, chief executive of the UK NationalFederation of Fishing Organisations told Fishing News after the meeting the United Kingdomaims for an effort to try to...