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The Herald - 17th December 2002
GRAEME SMITH and MICHAEL SETTLE
FISHERMEN yesterday won a delay in the implementation of the European cod recovery plan, whose cuts in catches threaten the survival of the Scottish white fish fleet, but fear that it could be a hollow victory.
The Danish presidency proposed a compromise, which means that a further three months will be given to decide on the plan.
However, in the meantime, the European Commission will implement emergency measures to conserve stocks from January 1. The details have not yet been revealed by Franz Fischler, the European fisheries commissioner who has been proposing draconian cuts, but even yesterday he made it clear he is not for turning.
As Tony Blair was promising financial aid for communities affected, Mr Fischler warned:
"This week is a watershed. If we fail to agree a comprehensive package of reforms for the common fisheries policy in the council over the next few days, we will lay ourselves open to the accusation of having placed short-term political expediency above the overall interests of the European fishing industry".
"One thing is clear: simply continuing with current practice would be a grave mistake, one that would only harm our fishermen, because scientists are unanimous that this would spell the demise of some of our most important stocks, and with them the future of our fishing industry."
The fishing industry rejects the scientific evidence as inaccurate and out of date and says no one is more determined to conserve stocks than it is.
An unprecedented alliance has been formed involving Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, southern Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and France. After a meeting in Brussels yesterday, fishermen said that the commission's attitude "bordered on the criminally irresponsible".
In a communiqué to the Council of Ministers, they said the commission's proposals demonstrated it was acting without a sense of responsibility to fishermen or their communities.
"Restrictions on days at sea will compromise fishermen's safety by forcing them to fish when the weather is poor ... and without any doubt will lead to widespread bankruptcy in the fleet and ashore."
Ross Finnie, Scottish fisheries minister, and Elliot Morley, UK fisheries minister, will today brief fishermen on the council's progress before talks resume this afternoon.
Alex Smith, president of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said: "The delay in the cod recovery plan is good news in its own right, but the sting in the tail could be the proposals for TACs (total allowable catches) and fishing effort (days at sea) because they could destroy the fleet.
"If they come in with the ridiculous levels they have been talking about, that is bad as a fishing ban. I am cautious until I hear the details."
Mr Fischler says he sympathises with the fishermen but maintains "the perilous state of many stocks ... is the unfortunate reality".
In the Commons, Mr Blair stressed the government was fighting the Scottish fishermen's corner to get "the best possible deal", but indicated it was also preparing the ground for financial compensation. "I will meet leaders of the industry in the New Year and financial assistance will be made available, if necessary."
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