The Cornish FPO (CFPO) has expressed its deep concern over the recommendation for a zero total allowable catch (TAC) for pollack in area VII. The organization, which represents the fishing industry in Cornwall, has warned that such a measure would be "devastating" for many vessels in the region.
Chris Ranford, chief executive of the CFPO, said that a zero TAC would have a "massive impact" on the pollack fishery, which is a vital source of income for many fishermen in the South West. He warned that it would force many boats to switch to other species like hake, putting further pressure on those stocks instead as well as livelihoods.
The CFPO is urging the government to reconsider its position and adopt alternative management measures instead of a zero TAC. Mr Ranford said that fishermen are willing to play their part in conserving the pollack stock and are open to considering measures such as increasing the minimum size of pollack or introducing a seasonal closure.
The CFPO is also planning to engage with French and Irish fishermen to discuss their priorities for managing the pollack stock. Mr Ranford said that it is important to get some certainty for fishermen about what they will be able to catch next year.
The Maverick, skippered by Dave Smith fishes exclusively for pollack using hook and line...
once caught, his fish is instantly placed in slush ice in insulated tubs to ensure the fish is kept in the very best condition - one of many boats that have helped put pollack on the menu again.
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| Line caught pollack with its tag certify its provenance. |
Key points
- The CFPO is concerned about the recommendation for a zero TAC for pollack in area VII.
- A zero TAC would have a "devastating" impact on the pollack fishery in the South West.
- The CFPO is urging the government to reconsider its position and adopt alternative management measures.
- Fishermen are willing to play their part in conserving the pollack stock.
- The CFPO is planning to engage with French and Irish fishermen to discuss their priorities
Listen to the plight of south west fishermen as highlighted on Farming Today this morning with a report by Lucy Fisher from the Cornish port of Mevagissey - a thriving port bucking the trend with many new young local entrants taking up fishing as a career - a zero pollack quota would be devastating for them and others who rely on pollack.
How big would the impact be for the fish market in Newyn?
Below are pictures of the pollack landed on the market this Monday morning in Newlyn - only none of the boats actually targeted pollack..
the rest of the pollack shown here...
were all caught along with many other species...
which highlights...
tyhe impact that a zero TAC would have on the amount...
and loss of income...
to the fleet as a whole...
all of whom catch pollack throughout their trips...
and the variety of fishing methods, from gill netting...
to beam trawling...
to hook and line...
to inshore trawling...
all of the fish seen above would have to be dumped - dead - back in the sea should the zero quota be implemented....
above is the quota allowance for CFPO boats in Area VII - currently at 12 tons in total for the month of December. The amount of pollack landed on this day alone in Newlyn amounted to several tons.