BBC1 Spotlight South West hosted a discussion on the pollack situation - where, as of January 1st 2024, a zero quota for pollack will be enforced.
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| The Maverick fishes all year round for pollack using rod and line. |
For many inshore fishermen this move could put some fishermen out of business - some like Dave Smith from Newlyn fish exclusively for pollack all year round and is one of the fishermen hit the hardest by such a draconian move.
When fishing, the fish are kept in insulated tubs full of slush ice to keep the pollack in the best possible condition to land to the market at Newlyn.
There were also some serious mis-quotes during the conversation that need addressing - as one online commentator said "A worrying situation not helped by a confusing article. It's #pollack (not pollock) & I'm pretty sure Mike Cohen is quoted out context talking about Fisheries Management Plans"
Jerry Percy penned his thoughts in an open letter to Defra on the Government's line since Brexit (when they promised to "take back control") and the recently announced Fisheries Management Plan. A moot point missed by some during the Brexit campaigns and after was that the overall Total Allowable Catch quotas, by which the EU (and the UK) adhere to, are set by ICES - and not the EU.