Negotiations with the EU and Norway on fishing opportunities for 2024 have now concluded.
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These agreements set out Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits and management measures for jointly managed stocks.
The UK / EU / Norway trilateral agreement includes quota increases for all six of the jointly managed North Sea stocks: cod, haddock, whiting, plaice, saithe, and herring. This reflects positive advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), with all TACs set at levels consistent with the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) approach.
These opportunities are worth an estimated value to Scotland of £199 million, an increase of £68 million compared to 2023 quotas.
UK / EU bilateral negotiations to set TACs for more than 70 stocks including the North Sea and West of Scotland have also concluded, with an estimated value to Scotland of £194 million.
Among the stocks covered by this agreement are North Sea and West of Scotland nephrops, hake, monkfish and ling, as well as Rockall haddock and cod, and West of Scotland whiting and cod.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon said: “These agreements include a number of positive outcomes for Scotland, providing key opportunities to vessels and coastal communities, and building on the successes of last year’s negotiations.
“I am particularly pleased that agreement has been reached to set quotas for North Sea and West of Scotland cod at levels reflective of the latest science.
This is the first step in transforming the way in which we manage this iconic stock, and I look forward to the continuation of that important work in 2024.
“Scotland’s approaches to the negotiations were informed by the best available evidence, taking into account scientific advice, socioeconomic factors, and the dynamics of fisheries.
As always, close engagement with stakeholders across all sectors has been key to the success of these negotiations, and I would like to thank those who worked so constructively with us throughout the process.†■