Cod protection move sparks fishermen's anger

The Scottish government says it wants to replenish cod stocks "for the longer term"

Fishermen have reacted angrily to new measures being introduced by the Scottish government to protect cod stocks in the Firth of Clyde.

The government is to end exemptions allowing langoustine trawlers, creels and scallop dredgers to use the area during the approaching spawning season.

The Clyde Fishermen's Association said the decision would have "a horrific impact" on local fishing families.

Ministers acknowledged it would have a short-term impact on local fishers.

But the government added that "taking action now" to try to replenish cod stocks for the longer term was "ultimately beneficial" for fishing.

For the past two decades, measures to protect spawning cod in the Firth of Clyde have been in place through an annual 11-week seasonal closure between 14 February and 30 April.

The Clyde Cod Box closure - which was supported by fishermen's groups - targeted net fishing of cod. But there were exemptions to allow bottom contact fishing, be it static/creel fishing or mobile fishing, on the grounds that low numbers of cod were being caught.

The government said that despite this, the stock had shown little sign of recovery, and therefore the exemptions must end.

The new measures apply to langoustine trawlers, creels and scallop dredgers

In a strongly-worded statement, the Clyde Fishermen's Association said: "This decision will have a horrific impact on the fishing families of the Clyde, and we are struggling to identify the reasons for this action.

"This will mean a total loss of income for many of the small family boats for months.

"This is not a burden they can easily bear as these fishing communities have already had the hardest two years they can recall between Brexit and Covid.

"Some families may sell up and relocate, families can't survive for months with no income.

"This will impact not only the fishing economy, but also the wider socio-economy of fishing villages, towns and their facilities such as shops and schools."

Blunt approach

One conservation charity welcomed the move, saying the Scottish government had "righted a long-standing fault in fisheries management in the Clyde".

"For years, bottom-towed fishing has risked damage to areas of seabed which are essential for the recovery of Scotland's collapsed west coast cod stocks," Phil Taylor, head of policy at Open Seas, said.

He added: "The government's approach here is a blunt one - banning all fishing activity. Sustainable fishing can continue alongside recovery measures if well-managed."

The Scottish government said the new move "aligns with commitments in the policy programme of the Bute House Agreement between the Scottish government and the Scottish Greens and our shared aim to restore marine habitats in Scotland's inshore waters".

A spokesman added: "During spawning, cod are extremely vulnerable to any activity impacting the seabed and limiting physical disturbance during the spawning period will minimise disruption to the spawning environment and promote cod reproduction.

"We appreciate this will have a short term impact on local fishers, but taking action now to try to replenish the stock for the longer term is ultimately beneficial for fishing as well."

The Scottish Greens welcomed the change.

Environment spokesman Mark Ruskell said: "Fisheries protection must be led by the science, and its clear that this decision is the right one if we are to recover cod populations and protect our environment.

"For too long fish stocks have been allowed to decline and destructive practices like trawling and dredging have been allowed to cause damage in an area that is supposedly closed during the spawning season for the benefit of cod conservation."